SOM Latin America
Violent, armed militias and/or drug cartels control many remote regions of Colombia and Venezuela where there is no internet access. Colombia is the second-highest producer of cocaine in the world. (Afghanistan is the highest as of 2019.) After the conclusion of 54 years of civil war in 2017, vast regions are still under-served and unreached with a clean Gospel witness.
In 2009, American missionary to Colombia and good friend Russell Stendal approached David about joining forces with SOM International, which became the umbrella United States office to communicate with USA partners about the vital ministry in war-torn Colombia. The ministry in Colombia is touching the lives of people through Christian radio broadcasting and distributing Bibles and Christian materials. The work has now expanded to the people of Venezuela and other Spanish-speaking nations. Most importantly, there are relationships being built with Latin Americans of all political, religious, and ethnic persuasions as we demonstrate peace and love through faith in Jesus Christ.
Meet Russell, Director of SOM – South America
- Russell authored over 30 books, including editing the Jubilee Bible, in English and Spanish.
- Russell and the team have produced over a thousand radio programs on the Bible, family, marriage, children’s programs, and history.
- He was taken hostage five times by anti-Colombian government forces.
- Russell wrote the book Rescue the Captors while being held hostage for five months in the jungles of Colombia.
- He has consulted with Colombian presidents, generals, and other leaders throughout South America.
- Russell is a veteran Andes Mountains aviation pilot and used planes to parachute hundreds of thousands of Bibles and Christian materials into restricted and hostile zones of the Colombian jungle.
- Russell was nicknamed “The Apostle of Peace” for his influential role in the final Peace Accord in 2017.
Latest News from SOM Latin America
Bibles by the Boatload in Venezuela
Bible Delivery: Bibles by the Boatload in Venezuela By Russell and Marina Stendal Turmoil and unrest continue to increase in the world around us, but we are finding unprecedented opportunities to share the gospel and to witness exponential growth. One of the world’s most dangerous places is the 1,378-mile Colombia/Venezuela border. This region is home to many diverse and corrupt factions and is also teeming with millions of desperate individuals fleeing the economic devastation of Venezuela or attempting to procure necessary food and medicine in Colombia. Colombia is where drugs, gasoline, cattle, gold, and even diamonds are being smuggled, not
New Far Reaching Radio Tower Covers All Venezuela
Installing radio towers is not for the faint of heart. Climbing up to elevated heights is daunting. Facing strong winds in high temperatures requires patience. Overcoming numerous technical difficulties for weeks takes perseverance. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, SOM Colombia workers accomplished the complicated task of installing a radio tower on the Colombia border that extends transmission all over Venezuela and half of Colombia. Workers had to build the radio tower, install the complex antennas, and transmitter system, and rebuild part of the camp. Workers from SOM Colombia experienced extremely dangerous roads on the way back to their urban
My Father’s Heart by Alethia Stendal
My Father's Heart by Alethia Stendal EXCERPT FROM ALETHIA'S BOOK: In the past, there have been lots of chances of turning back, only dad never did. When I was 11 years old the missionary school in Bogota where I attended was suddenly swarming with missionary kids fleeing the violence of the eastern planes. Ray Rising had been kidnapped causing more than 300 missionaries to evacuate their base in Lomalinda. The nearby town of Puerto Lleras had been bombed and lay in ruins. Churches were destroyed. So many pastors were killed in this part of Colombia that it quickly became the
One Million Bibles For Venezuela
Transporting this Amount of Bibles per Week for 100 Weeks In order to reach our goal of one million Bibles for Venezuela we would have to transport this many Bibles per week for the next 100 weeks. Then, only 1 Venezuelan in 30 would have a Bible. However, it would be enough to greatly encourage all the churches and to give Bibles to most of the key decision makers in the country.
Lomalinda: A Beautiful Hill by Russell Stendal, Jr.
Lomalinda is a beautiful place! by Russell Stendall, Jr. It’s located in the plains of eastern Colombia, however Lomalinda isn’t flat. Lomalinda translates to “Beautiful Hill” an apt name for this land. The rolling hills are a peaceful contrast from the stubbornly flat land it lies between. Sadly, Lomalinda has not seen peace for the last few decades. It has been smack in the middle of the war that has assailed Colombia for the better part of 50 years. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Wycliffe Bible Translators found this hidden paradise. They were enticed by the large lake,
Article about Russell Stendal – by Douglas Feavel
Article About Russell Stendal But You Care, Don’t You? When a man’s ways please the Lord. (Proverbs 16:7) The window for openly evangelizing in Colombia, South America, began to violently slam shut in the late 1970s. Farming, which was still the country’s largest industry, became committed to the production of cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Drugs were fast on there way to becoming the dominant factor in the nation’s economy, and shamefully, the primary market was not domestic; rather, it was the United States. Simultaneously, the country’s population experienced severe fractionalizing and headed into anarchy, and things are still the same
