While preparing for our trip to Colombia, the boys began writing with a family who serve in Bogota with South America Mission, my previous organization. Even though they didn’t know us earlier, they were such great pen pals and kindly responded to all of the kids’ questions.

In past posts, I shared about the Cultural Interviews that we did as a family with co-workers, friends, and my fabulous tutor Eva. Having pen pals is another meaningful way to build relationships and learn how we’re more similar than different from people living in other cultures.

While visiting Nashville for a conference, the parents stayed with us and the boys loved talking about Colombia and asking all about their kids.

The family gave them these wooden journals that the kids wrote their names on right away. Primos y Primas Fest is one of the ways they support orphan teens as they learn to transition to adulthood. It was beautiful to hear the fruit of their ministry and how it has organically evolved over time.

What a privilege to get to meet this family face-to-face after being pen pals! Getting out of our comfort zone to reach out to someone with only a loose connection can lead to such a rewarding journey.