Illegal Border Crossings

Every time I interact with immigrants and hear their stories of traveling thousands of miles in search of better opportunities, I’m honestly humbled. The determination it takes to leave their country and face the overwhelming challenge of surviving with little more than their ability to improvise, is just remarkable. It’s amazing that the only thing it takes to spur millions of people to walk thousands of miles, face countless dangers, and constantly feel weak and confused in a land not their own, is the hope of a better life.

I find it sad that sometimes people criticize immigrants for “invading their country,” and look down on them with disdain – all while complaining that the restaurants they go to don’t have enough workers to serve them their food a little faster… you know? …I remember writing about the immigrant phenomenon in the States a while back, and one Christian friend agreed with me on the economic benefits of having illegal Latin Americans working in the US, but questioned how I could endorse it, if going against the law is clearly un-Christian... In his opinion, our interests should not lie in the potential economic benefits of welcoming illegal immigrants, but in our willingness to submit to the God given authorities of our land, for better or for worse. His logic was consistent, but I was still unconvinced. “Who cares about the government – my only job is to welcome them like I would want to be welcomed myself,” I thought.

And that’s where I find myself now. How do I want to be welcomed into a country that I cross into illegally? …Basically, without extortion or threats of imprisonment… Am I suggesting that I’m wanting to cross into a country illegally? Yes. I am, and I’m pretty scared about it. I’ve done stuff like that before, yet it’s one thing for me to do it on my own, and it’s certainly another to do so with my beautiful wife Alejandra.

God gave me the command to make disciples of all nations, and when I’m reluctant to do so because the country that I’m trying to get into doesn’t accept American or Colombian citizens – does my reluctance stem from my neglect towards God’s command of making disciples of all nations, or from my respect for the leaders of the foreign government that is standing in my way? …Honestly, I don’t respect the present dictator of Venezuela too much, and so I feel like it would be a cop-out to say I’m not going in just because I can’t get my passport stamped… It’s like, “really?” there are millions of people who cross borders illegally all the time because they need to make more money, but there are so few Christians who cross borders illegally to share the gospel, even though the gospel is more important than money… Why is that? …As sad as it is to say, and as self-condemning it is for me to acknowledge in my own life – maybe it’s because unbelievers’ love for money is greater than Christians’ love for sharing the gospel.

…In fact, this crazy scenario isn’t even a realistic conundrum for most people to even bother with… Most Christians are still too conflicted over the issue that there are too many immigrants in their own country (and that they’re illegal for goodness’ sake!) – that they would never even dream of going into another country illegally themselves, even if it were to share the gospel… No, half the time, and to our own shame, we’re too freaked out just to share the gospel in our own country (even though it’s completely legal), to even start thinking about sharing it somewhere else… …I know of a Venezuelan immigrant who has a lot more guts than I do, and I invited him once to join me on a road trip in Colombia. There was another Venezuelan with us as well, and he had his papers in order, but my fearless friend did not.

Anyway, we were in the middle of the pandemic, and we were driving along the highway, and all of a sudden, we got stopped by some policemen at a road block. There were certain restrictions at the time for traveling between cities, but I was legally considered an exception because I’m involved in religious/humanitarian work. My properly documented Venezuelan friend was listed on the permit I obtained to drive my car that day, but my improperly documented friend was not. My license and insurance and emissions papers were all in order, but since one of the passengers in my car was an improperly documented Venezuelan, the policeman decided to impound my vehicle.

The whole situation was really grim because it was raining, and I was going to have to pay a bunch of money, and my friends and I were all going to be stranded in the middle of nowhere for a while. I wasn’t going to be able to get my car back from the tow yard for another 2 days (and in 5 days I was getting married!), and I just felt really frustrated about the whole situation, and towards the policeman specifically, for not cutting me some slack. Well, as my car was being chained and lifted up onto the tow truck, my improperly documented Venezuelan friend told the harsh policeman about Jesus and asked him if he wanted to pray to ask God to forgive him of his sins. The policeman complied, and I was stunned! 10 minutes beforehand I was tempted to try and bribe the policeman, but luckily, I didn’t. Next thing I knew, my illegal immigrant friend of all people, was the one leading the stern policeman to Christ. Halleluiah!

That guy is insane. I first met him at a refugee camp where he was sharing the gospel, and then I started joining him for a Bible study in a random restaurant that he walked into once, where he convinced the owners to let him live. When we were wandering around in the streets he would suddenly start preaching in the open air, and every once in a while, he would hide away in the mountains to fast and pray.

His name is Victor, and for a while we both put on a weekly open-air church meeting. At times he would stand up to preach and have everyone laughing their heads off for one second, and then seriously thinking about their sin and repenting of it in in the next… He would share the gospel to prostitutes and drug addicts and emerald dealers alike, and convince whole groups of people to join him for a Bible study right on the spot.

Last I heard from him he travelled to the North of Colombia and crossed into Panama illegally, followed by Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Next, he made it into Guatemala and started living on an old woman’s farm, much like Elijah, and decided to start a church there, along with a few teenagers he met on the street. Before you know it, he’ll probably be sneaking into Mexico and the US, just wandering around wherever the Spirit leads, and telling others about Jesus however he can. You can’t bridle that guy, or trip him up with legalities. You want to take him to prison? He’ll probably see it as the Lord’s provision, and start a church with his cell mates and the guards (Genesis 39:19-23; Acts 16:25-34). You want to take him before a judge because he’s illegal? …I think he cares more about The Ultimate Judge who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28). You want to deport him? He’ll probably just wipe the dust off his feet and thank you for the free ride home (Matt. 10:14). He’s the kind of guy that is poor, yet is making many rich. The kind of guy that has nothing, and yet possesses everything (2 Cor. 6:18).

What I mean is that there are certain situations that Christians can get themselves into that can be pretty gnarly, but the way you remain faithful to God in the midst of those situations can make a big impact. Think of Daniel and his friends for instance. The Jews could have criticized them of reading Babylonian literature and serving in the enemy’s palace, and the Babylonians could have criticized them of not eating the royal food or bowing down to their gods… Either way, they could have succumbed to external pressure, but they were confident in who they were. They knew that their identity rested in the One they worshipped, and they were confident that God would show them how to maneuver around any obstacle that was thrown their way. Even if they were to die, they said, they would not serve false gods or worship the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar had set up (Dan. 3:18). …What I want to say is this: There is nothing safe about following Jesus, just like there is nothing safe about leaving your home country. Regardless, millions of immigrants leave behind their home countries all the time, because they believe there is something better to be gained somewhere else… The question is – do we as Christians believe there is something better to be gained also, whether that’s at home or abroad, by simply following Christ? If you’re reading this post right now, it’s because I sent it from my cell phone a few minutes before crossing into Venezuela… if you could pray for Alejandra and I right now, that we would be faithful to God and tactful as we interact with Venezuelans and point them to Christ – we would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Funds Overview

...As for an overview of how Alejandra and I have been using some of the funds that we've received for our ministry here in Colombia, it looks a little like this: One of the main developments is that in moving to Duitama to start a new church, we started renting a building both for Alejandra and I to live in, as well as to meet in as a church. The group has grown fast, and is full of young, new believers that are excited about following and learning from Jesus. 

This building used to be a restaurant, and so we remodeled it a little (turned the kitchen into our bed room and created a smaller kitchen off to the side and installed a shower), and for 2 and a half months we hired a Venezuelan immigrant at a little more than average wage to help us with the construction (we also hired another Venezuelan that helped with the plumbing and another one that designed and made the kitchen). 

Anyway, the fellow's name that helped us with the construction is Tello, and he's a good worker and was very responsible (always showed up 10 minutes early and administered resources well). He lives with his wife and son in a run down room and everything that we had left over from the construction he used to make stuff for his apartment (like a chair and desk)... His son recently graduated from a foundation that he had to go to because he was caught doing drugs, and the day after his graduation was his birthday, and so he joined us for a party where we celebrated him as well as my wife Alejandra and her twin sister who's birthday was the next day.  

Back in December, Alejandra and I hired Tello's wife to make Venezuelan food for a Christmas gathering, and Tello brought about 40 Venezuelans to attend. He and his wife have also been attending our Sunday morning gatherings, and I'm not sure if they are Christians yet, but they're very receptive. 

Every time Tello and I would hit the road to buy construction materials (1 hour drive towards Tunja), we would pick up Venezuelan walkers, and encourage them and give them a bit of money as they continued on their journey. 

At the end of the construction project, I bought Tello a drill and a circular saw to help him keep getting more jobs and create more income (in our own project we would pay a bit of money to borrow another Venezuelan's tools), and he told me he was eternally thankful. I also sponsored him to take a ropes and security course which is part of the standard requirement for receiving construction jobs here in Colombia, and after completing this 2 day course, a couple days later he called me to let me know that he had gotten a stable job.  

There are also 2 other stories that aren't as encouraging. One of a young Venezuelan man who I bought a cart for so that he could sell fruit (he told me that's what he really wanted to do), but he ended up selling it to someone else, and squandering the money. He's been lying to his mother and father in law, and sometimes will take another friend that's a girl and her son with him to beg for money on the street, as it's easier than working, and sometimes pays more.

Another tough story is that Frank was the Venezuelan fellow who Alejandra and I helped along with his wife and kids, and who stayed some time here in Duitama when their 5th child was born... they were set on going back to Venezuela even though I discouraged it, but eventually consented and gave them some money for the transportation and for them to get by and maybe create a job of some kind in Venezuela (I gave them the equivalent of $800 US dollars)... they eventually made it to Venezuela and reconnected with their extended family, but as I suspected, their money ran out, and Frank left his wife and children to come walking back to Colombia and made it here to church in Duitama along with a friend (it took them 10 days walking). I paid for him and his friend to stay in a hotel for a week while I traveled to San José to visit the church that I had started there and share the gospel with an indigenous community, and when I made it back the next Sunday they came to church again, but told me they decided to keep walking to Peru... it just breaks my heart that each day Frank is getting further and further away from his family, even though he stays in touch with them and sends them money. 

As for other more spontaneous help, just about every time Alejandra and I travel back to Bogota or to Tunja we pick up Venezuelan walkers that may have been traveling for weeks by foot, and we pack all their things up on the roof rack of the car and fit as many people as we can inside the vehicle, and in the matter of a few hours manage to take them as far as it would take for them to otherwise walk for a few days. Usually we talk with them about Jesus along the way, and then buy them some food and give them some money to help them going forward.  

When Alejandra and I go back to Cucuta in March, it will be interesting to see how the transition will work between the Venezuelan family that's staying in our apartment and working with the church, but I trust the Lord will have us pick up right where we left off, meeting regularly for Bible studies and the Sunday morning meeting... when the border opens up, throughout the week hopefully we can live on the Venezuelan side, and return to the Colombian side every weekend.  The family that I left in charge for a year now in Cucuta has been doing a wonderful job, and I have continued to pay for the rent of Alejandra's and my apartment for them to stay in, as well as send them another $200 dollars for additional expenses each month. Since this is the last month that they will be staying in our apartment, I sent them $500 just to help out with finding a new place to stay or else head back home to Venezuela. 

Alejandra and I will continue to support the church in Duitama with about $500 dollars each month until the church's income increases and it can pay for its own expenses and we can progressively taper off with the support. Meanwhile, we will be investing more in the church in Cucuta with things such as rent and meals with Venezuelan immigrant friends and things like that.  Finally, at another border city of Colombia with Venezuela (Puerto Carreño) there is a Venezuelan pastor that administers a tuk tuk motorized vehicle that I bought both to create an income for him as well as the 2 Venezuelan drivers that use it. He sends me a percentage of the income for using the vehicle each month, and even though it will take a few years to break even, I feel like it was a good investment to realistically help Venezuelan Christians in need. 

Sincerely, Sam and Alejandra

Diamond Handed Commendation

Hello!

Just recently my sending church in Eureka Springs AR, sent me a new letter of commendation including the one and only Alejandra Killins! …Having this spiritual backing means a lot to Alejandra and I, and we’re super pumped up to keep serving our Lord together, as we plant churches among Colombians and Venezuelans.

me with some friends from my diamond-handed commending church in Arkansas 

The first time Lone Star Bible Church commended me as a missionary was in 2009, and it’s awesome that this assembly has kept their diamond hands all these years, in still believing that God can use me (and now us!), as Alejandra and I serve our risen Savior together, within our first year of marriage.

…Let me tell you that this year has been incredible so far, and even though I see that there’s so much that I still lack in being everything that God wants for me as a husband – I’m amazed that God was so perfect in giving me Alejandra so that we could share our lives together, and work alongside each other as missionaries for His glory. God has been very gracious to us, and we want to keep sharing His gospel wherever we go... We want our marriage to reflect Christ’s love for His church, and we want to keep planting and building up Christ-centered churches that reflect His love towards the world around us.

Alejandra and I on a road trip in Colombia

…We’re always going to remember our “pandemic honeymoon church” that we got to be a part of starting and leading in the beautiful city of Duitama these past 6 months, and, as we get ready to move back to the border city of Cucuta, we’re a bit sad to leave this miracle church behind... I say “miracle church”, because it seems like a miracle that God was able to establish it so quickly (in the middle of a pandemic), and that so many young people have come to know Jesus and have started to follow after Him... Every time that Alejandra and I think about it, we’re blown away at how hungry our brand-new Christian friends are in wanting to learn from the Word, and it’s a pure joy to host them practically every day in the former restaurant that we turned into our new church building/apartment …Maybe the deficiency in other community type activities during lockdown is what made this church concept so attractive to our friends, just as we started hanging out... Having a real relationship with God through faith in Jesus is what life is all about, and sharing it with others isn’t that far behind.

friends from Duitama at Alejandra and her twin sister's birthday party

…Some people may think that Alejandra and I have paper hands in leaving this 6 month old church as we move closer to Venezuela, but, ultimately, moving back to Cucuta isn’t so much a matter of leaving Duitama behind, as it is a matter of moving closer to where we think God is calling us to... We basically hope to keep helping and pastoring our Venezuelan immigrant friends in the great city of Cucuta that have continued to meet together in the name of our Lord, even in our absence...   

preaching at the church in Duitama

 The transition of leaving this fledgling church in Duitama behind, and of being reactivated into the shaky Refuge Church in Cucuta is a delicate process, and Alejandra and I need your prayers to help us every step of the way.

This summer we hope to visit some of you in the US, and for sure, we’re always going to want to keep visiting and staying in touch with our friends from the church we’ve planted in Duitama.

Alejandra and I hope you are all doing well, and that God’s grace will sustain you always, even as it sustains us.

May God bless you and encourage you today as you seek to do everything for His glory.

Sincerely,

Sam and Alejandra Killins

Missionary Vision Video: https://youtu.be/hRJoS0sVFMI

Missionary Profile: https://www.cmml.us/node/817

Wedding Highlights Video

 Hello!

Alejandra and I decided to portray the gospel in the most surprising way we could think of during our wedding celebration.

Click HERE to check it out

I hope you enjoy it! And if you could take a minute to please pray for us and the rest of our lives together, we would really appreciate it.​

Also, if you would like to watch a ministry overview of what my life has been like as a missionary, please click HERE 

At Alejandra's and my wedding celebration we had various representatives from each one of the churches I've been involved in starting

The guys from the picture above are from the most recent church plant we've been involved with, in a city called Duitama.  

Make it a great day, and God bless. 

Sam and Alejandra Killins

Missionary Profile: https://www.cmml.us/node/817

Fighting for Marriage

Hi -

One of the saddest things about Venezuela's 10 year socio-economic crisis is the toll it's taken on families. Marriages have been ripped apart as husbands emigrate to other countries in search of greater opportunities, leaving behind their wives and children as they're left to fend for themselves until the struggling husband can create enough income to send home some help.

In some cases the husband will eventually make enough money to pay the transportation costs for his family to join him in his improvised living situation, but even then - culture shock, discomfort, and humiliation can create such a strain on the relationship that the family eventually disintegrates... Add a global pandemic to the equation, and no longer family unity, but just sheer survival becomes the issue.

...A few weeks back I got civilly married to Alejandra, and a little bit after signing the papers, we drove down to Colombia's border with Ecuador to pick up a Venezuelan family of 6 with a baby on its way... I met the husband of this family (Frank) 2 years ago when I was starting a church in Cucuta, but he eventually left this city and found his way to Peru where he made enough money to send for his wife and kids. They did well initially, but after a while they started to struggle again, so they started their trek back to Venezuela. They got stuck in Ecuador and had to live on the street for a few days, but then got some help from a foundation, and later found a way to cross the border into Colombia. 

A little bit later Alejandra and I picked up the Perez family in my father-in-law's van, and we made it a little North of Bogota to a town called Duitama where Alejandra and I had already rented an apartment to start living in after our wedding... We let our Venezuelan friends live there in the mean time, and 6 days ago their new son Freider David was born... As wonderful as it is to celebrate the birth of this child, the process was difficult, as there were complications during labor, and the child was born small and with low levels of sugar... 

I remember when I first saw Freider - I laid my hands on him to pray for him, but half way through I started crying, as I thought about all the challenges that this boy has already gone through and doesn't even know about, as well as all the challenges that lie ahead...

Helping Frank and Anabel and their children has given Alejandra and I a crash course on what it means to be a family, and despite the enormous challenge it is even for us, to assist them in the middle of everything, we love seeing that Frank, Anabel, Frank, Frangelis, Francis, Freneci, and now Freider are all together. 

Sacrifice, love, and humility is the stuff marriage is made of, and in just serving this family, Alejandra and I are starting to understand a little about what that means... I'm amazed at how sensitive Alejandra is, and how willing she is to adapt in the midst of such a complex situation. Her tenderness, patience, and her attention to detail are amazing, and I could never do this without her.

    

Alejandra and I are going to have our wedding ceremony on the 10th of October on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia, and it's quite promising that my family from the US will be able to join us... I know that travel of any kind is pretty complicated these days (especially international travel), but if anyone of you would love to come and celebrate this day with us, please let us know, and we'll give you more info. 

-Sam 

Missionary Profile: https://www.cmml.us/node/817