Luke Chandler lives and works in the the Tampa, Florida, area. He is a minister with the North Terrace Church of Christ in Temple Terrace, FL. His evangelistic work has taken him to a number of countries, especially in the Spanish-speaking world. He has a degree in History with an emphasis in Ancient History. Luke participated in the archaeological excavation at the Elah Fortress (Khirbet Qeiyafa) in Israel during the summer of 2009.
Luke is married and has three children.
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.