Luke Chandler is a minister with the North Terrace Church of Christ in Temple Terrace, FL. His evangelistic work has taken him to a several countries, mostly in the Spanish-speaking world. He has a degree in History with an emphasis in Ancient History, and is currently . Luke participated in the archaeological excavation at the Elah Fortress (Khirbet Qeiyafa) in Israel during the summer of 2009, and is a member of The American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR).
Luke is married and has three children. He and his family live in the Unites States, near Tampa, Florida.
I just read part of your blog and you mentioned an evangelist in Manizales Columbia. I am copying some emails I sent to other organizations in an attempt to have a christian contact person for when I go to manizales in a few weeks.
Jeff
I will be traveling to Manizales Columbia in a couple of weeks for a 4-5 week trip. I don’t speak Spanish but intend on getting one of those calculator type devices that helps you to convert words and phrases into English.
I have some specific questions/ideas that may spurn some ideas, thoughts or input that you can share with me.
How receptive are the Columbian people to Americans? I have read they like to meet and greet because they hardly get any visitors. I remember from my travels in Jamaica back in 1985, I was visiting on a US Navy ship and I was walking down the street with a bible in my hand and someone sitting on a window sill asked me if that was a bible and would I read to him. I did and had a crowd of people gathered and sharing the gospel with them. I am wondering if the people in Manizales would be so hungry for the word like that?
Did you have a sense of danger and fear getting kidnapped at all? I am trusting God to protect me but I am wondering if you might have some feedback about this?
I will be working 5-7 days a week, so I might not have time to make contacts with the Columbians except in the evenings or on a Sunday afternoon. Hopefully the company that hired us will give us at least full Sunday off. Our schedule is up in the air until we get there and assess the work schedule. I will be looking for opportunities to witness/minister with plant personnel at the factory I will be at. I reviewed a website that specializes in well water/pump equipment to poverty stricken people in third world countries, perhaps I will be able to help or find a need there that God will use me to fill.
Right now my biggest need is to have a contact name, email or address of someone down there I can meet when I arrive and have some free time. Any help in this way or ideas how to do this would be a big help.
In His service,
Jeff Ellis
724-272-5262
Greetings,
I am employed with a machinery company here in PA and will be making a 4-6 week trip to Manizales, Columbia to work installing equipment at a factory there. This trip is in Jan 09.
I am a born again Christian and am hoping to work for Christ while I am there and hopefully not get into any trouble. As the Lord permits I will witness.
Can you share anything with me about this country and do you know anyone in Manizales I could make contact with?
Thanks for your help,
In Jesus Name,
Jeff Ellis
724-272-5262
Thanks for posting Jeff. I’ll send you contact info for Jaime Restrepo in Manizales.
Luke,
I recently listened to your interview on the Book and the Spade and re-listened today. My wife and I took a tour of Israel two years ago and it was a real blessing. She wants to go back on a tour in 2010 and I said I’d rather participate in a dig. It has been a lifelong dream of mine.
Well, I looked through the BAR find- a -dig to see what was available. Khirbet Qeiyafa seemed like a good reasonably priced expedition and very interesting. As I looked through the pictures I saw that you put up a blog. I was surprised that you were the one I had listened to.
I am around the same age as your father (63). I hope to retire in a couple of years but figure if I am ever going to do this I need to do it soon.
You have been an inspiration to me. Thanks.
Gale
Gale,
I am very happy you found something useful from my experience. If you are sure that you want to join a dig, you should definitely do it! Many believe it would be a beneficial experience, but assume they have ‘missed the boat.’ I basically believed that just a year ago about myself. Thanks to a change of heart and a supportive wife, I am planning to return to Khirbet Qeiyafa next year as well. I’m even organizing a group to come with me. Perhaps we’ll see each other there?
Very best wishes,
Luke