Ministering to our Children in Colombia, Ricardo Rodriguez is a Father Figure to Many

Lucy and Ricardo

As a member of Mission Life’s core team, I heard so many stories about Lucy and Ricardo, the power couple behind our center, Fundacion Formavida in Bogota, Colombia. I knew God called Lucy to the hillside community of Santa Cecilia, one of Bogota’s marginalized neighborhoods to minister to its children and to counsel families trying to overcome generations of violence. I knew the center had grown over the years and had recently expanded. What I didn’t know until I traveled there in February was the impact Ricardo has on this special place and the important role he plays in its daily operations. They always say behind every successful man is a strong woman. Well in this case, behind every successful woman is a strong man. 

The street side entrance to Mission Life’s Center, Fundacion Formavida in Bogota, Colombia

Ricardo and Pastor Juan David who leads our center in Genova, Colombia

Ricardo is a dedicated husband with a quiet but steady and patient presence and quite often, he chimes in with a light-hearted remark that makes everyone smile. When we traveled together to Genova to open a new Mission Life child center, he advised the leaders that it won’t always be easy. There will be challenges due to the children’s needs and their backgrounds. He recalled several times when children lashed out at him physically and times when Lucy worked patiently with a teenager who kept choosing the wrong path. He said while there are many ways we can respond, the best way is with patience and love no matter how hard it is. With time and God’s guidance, Lucy and Ricardo have seen children grow up choosing the right path and are now living out God’s mission for their lives.

Ricardo, thank you for being a father figure to so many, to the children, teenagers, teachers and even us adults who are blessed to visit. Happy Father’s Day!

Ricardo with his grandson

Lucy and Ricardo show the Mission Life team the new bakery and sewing shop at our Center

Ricardo grew up in this neighborhood so he has seen it all. He is a construction worker by trade and thankfully for our center and our children, this is one of his God given gifts. Everything you see at Formavida, from the main building where it all began to the newly built classrooms, the bakery, the renovated dorms, the sewing shop and the grounds are all because of Ricardo. He is the one who finds the donated materials and brings in the crews to make it happen. He has used his talents and resources to build homes for families in need including a mom who’s last dying wish was to make sure her 5 children had a roof over their heads and a place to call home.

But as I spent more time with this couple, I quickly realized that Ricardo wears many more hats than that of the builder at Formavida. He is not only a father to his own children and grandfather but I watched as he took on the role of father to the teachers and children at the center. 

Ricardo and Lucy with the Mission Life team after opening our center in Genova in February 2021