BMMI in Colombia

By Margaret Anderson

In April 2024, a BMMI (Baptist Medical Missions International) team traveled to Colombia, where the group served alongside local pastors and church planters, hosting clinics in the port city of Puerto Inírida and remote villages along the Orinoco River. The main goal of BMMI is to connect people in the community to the local church, introducing people to Christ while assisting with their health. This recent trip to Colombia did just that and resulted in much more.

Puerto Inírida is just like any other port city around the world. It is overrun with prostitution and drugs. Pedro Cuichehas planted a church in this city with about 25 converts already, but the church is located in a swampy area in a dangerous part of town. Early in the BMMI team’s visit, Pedro asked the team to pray for God to provide a new place for the church to meet.

During the team’s two-and-a-half days in Puerto Inírida, they saw over 200 patients, and the gospel was shared with every person. At least 15 people made professions of faith at that time. The local church leaders will continue to follow up with these 15 people, plus many others who expressed interest in learning more about Jesus Christ.

On the team’s last day in Puerto Inírida, a few team members and Pedro went to thank leaders at the local hospital for allowing them to set up clinics in the area. The hospital director told Pedro, “I’ve seen who you are and your heart to impact the youth. You’re changing their lives. I have this land I want to give you so you can use it for good.”

Pedro was given four acres by a man who didn’t know him or Jesus Christ and only saw the good he was doing in Jesus’ name. It’s been said that light shines brightest in the darkness, which is true for the light of Jesus Christ in this dark city. The fruit from the ministries of faithful men and women is evident, even to unbelievers.

Colombia is a new territory for BMMI. We have been praying for God to open doors to go and serve in new places with new pastors who are planting churches. Thank you for your faithfulness to give to BMMI. Because of you, people are seeing Jesus in others, lives are being changed and churches are being planted. Thank you for helping BMMI use healthcare to share the gospel of Jesus.

For more information on how to join a team to serve on the field, sponsor medicines for a trip or give to the BMMI general fund, contact Angela Rice at angela@bmaglobal.org.