1) The missionary work in Colombia has grown such that local churches are now leading outreach efforts without the missionaries, including replicating and expanding on previous activities. 2) An outreach to an children's home housing HIV+ children, including 8-year-old Tina who has cerebral palsy, was emotionally difficult but the children found joy in being loved. 3) A maximum security youth jail that had rejected previous ministry efforts was opened to an outreach team, resulting in many inmates responding to the gospel call and a commitment from the local church to continue ministry there.

1. THE McCREA NEWS
www.ourlovingfather.com September 2012
All Things Exciting
Dear Friends, The Least of These...
Any missionary who wants to see their work This time our outreach was not just in schools and shopping
multiply has the same goal; raise up national centres. These were wonderful and we presented the Gospel
leaders wherever they serve. They want to so to some 7000 people, but there were other parts of ministry
be of influence, that their presence is no that touched us in deeper and more disturbing ways.
longer required for ministry to continue.
“Tina” is a loving 8 year old girl.
This summer we saw some of that growth. Suba is a suburb We met her and her friends in a
of Bogota where we have been working for several years. small town an hour outside of
Fours years ago we took our first international outreach teams Bogota. They live in a children’s
there and were thrilled to have God open doors to minister in home where we stayed for three
area schools and in front of the Colombian version of a Super days as we ministered in the area.
Walmart. We did this with cooperation from area churches, As in most such places, the kids
but not so much with their participation. were quick to engage with us as we played games, hugged and
generally hung out together.
For two years we did the majority of the work, but then the
US team had to stay home for a year and we expected that Tina has Cerebral Palsy, yet manages to make her way
there would be no 2011 outreach in Suba. Wrong! around and has a smile, and hug, for everyone. However, I
have to confess, that receiving her hugs cost me something -
The church youth stepped up saying, “we can do this.” it was hard. It was hard to hug every child in that home.
And they proceeded to replicate all they had seen from us; and
then they did it better. In addition to the “Walmart” It was hard because Tina and every child in that home is
presentations, they put together drama and mime teams at also HIV positive and I found that difficult to forget.
every stop light in the area. They did workshops, parades and
involved several area churches! I can’t find words to describe the love
that God pours through you when you
reach out to the least of these. Neither
can words explain the anguish of
knowing that these precious children
fight daily to survive.
Yet these kids, in spite of being
rejected, abandoned and cursed;
Colombian “Super Walmart.” just want to loved, held and grow
up. Modern medicine has made the
This year, when we returned with a team from the same latter possible and may one day
church from Detroit, we were amazed to find ourselves almost bring a cure. That is our prayer.
spectators! While we as “Gringos” drew the crowds and did Katy (outreach team) with
our stuff, the local church did all the work and put more one of the boys.
In the meantime, Tina and her
people on stage than us. friends welcome visitors, rejoice in being loved, if just for a
day or two and take great joy in beating the pants off of the
A small daughter church put on an Independence Day parade Gringos in Soccer!
with 700 marchers! All for the glory of Jesus and as the
head pastor put it, “All because you taught us.” Wow! The kids consider me Colombian and made ME - goalie!

2. Outreach Team Goes to Jail
A New “Franchise”
Some of you may note below that we can now receive
donations through the Canadian Assemblies of God
(PAOC). We have been Associate Missionaries with
them for many years, but now we have been formally
adopted by the PAOC as Missionaries; seconded (or
“licensed”) to Youth With A Mission, Colombia.
In practical terms, our ministry work continues with
YWAM as always and we still need to raise our own
support (for those of you who send your gifts through
YWAM Canada, please continue to do so).
You can’t tell from the picture, but we are standing in front of
a maximum security facility for youth. This jail holds the However, we are excited about the new opportunity to
worst of society: murderers, rapists, etc. but because of their connect with PAOC churches. We pray that this
ages, they are held here and not in regular prisons. relationship will allow us to expand our support base and
be more effective in raising up outreach teams - in order
Reaching these youth has proven impossible for some. The to reach our new ministry goal:
Catholic priest has visited several times and was rejected, even
Triple the number of people that we are reaching
thrown out by the inmates. When he still didn’t “get the
message,” they held him hostage for a day or so. The priest
didn’t come back after that one....
The Warden, in spite of being a new Christian and having his
pastor encouraging him to open the doors, was very reluctant
to let our group visit because of previous experiences.
We spent over an hour with 40 or so inmates. Our band
rocked the jail house, some gave their testimonies (Erica was
a star) and I shared part of my story. Then Pastor Adam from
the Detroit outreach team wrapped it up - and almost all of the
inmates responded to the call for salvation! Nick (outreach team member) with
school kids seeking his autograph.
I am not sure who was more surprised, us or the Warden!
Until next time, hug some children and let them know
The really cool part? The church that introduced us to that God loves them.
the jail, had never done this kind of ministry before.
Now, they have committed themselves to return and Æ Darren, Patty , James & Darien Æ
follow up what God started through our team!
If you wish to be a part of our work in Colombia and the worldwide community that we are called to serve,
please consider partnering with us through your giving.
In Canada: Make your cheque out to the: “PAOC.” Please In the USA: Make your cheque out to: “YWAM.” Please enclose
include a note mentioning the ministry of Darren & Patricia a note mentioning the ministry of Darren & Patricia McCrea.
McCrea..
YWAM - Accounting
PAOC P.O. Box 3000
2450 Milltower Court Garden Valley, TX
Mississauga, ON USA 75771-3000
L5N 5Z6
International Phone Number (Miami Area Code) - 305 677 0100 E-Mail darrenmccrea@aol.com
Online giving is available through our website - www.ourlovingfather.com