 |
Out of the Cocaine Fields
 |
Jimmy Munoz
Photo by D. Pickett |
"I had to leave. I had to escape…the abuse…and the immoral lifestyle," says Pastor Jimmy Munoz. "The events of that day are as fresh in my mind as though it were yesterday. It was December 9, 1991, and I was 14 years old when I left my mother's house." Jimmy, the second of three children, was born to 13-year-old Solmedis in 1977. His family lived near the little town of Doncello on the fringes of the Amazon jungle in southern Colombia. Life was demanding; this cycle seemed to make little distinction from one generation to the next.
Solmedis was accustomed to hard work and abuse. She was unfamiliar with anything that resembled a loving and nurturing environment. From a very young age, she was exposed to the vulgar and abusive farm workers that her father employed. She cooked and cleaned for them—all while encountering daily mistreatment. This repugnant obligation fostered a growing sense of helplessness and despair.
When Solmedis was 11, Ricaute Munoz, a worker old enough to be her father, convinced her to elope. This decision, however, did little to improve her life. After they married, he began working on a cocaine farm. Five years later, in October 1980, the farm was raided and her husband was shot and killed by the Colombian Army. At age 16, Solmedis became a widow with three children. Having to provide for her family, she eventually began working at another cocaine farm.
Popsicles and Bread Dough
Solmedis left her two daughters in the care of friends and took 4-year-old Jimmy to work each day. It was physically demanding, and they faced continual harassment from the workers. "I don't remember much because I was so young," explains Munoz, "but I do remember the abuse."
Solmedis realized that this environment was unsafe and inappropriate for her family. "My mother returned to western Colombia, near the Venezuelan border, to seek the support of her father," says Munoz. "Regrettably, he was hostile and unwilling to help."
To support her three children, Solmedis made popsicles, bread dough, or other small items to sell. "My mother placed these items in a cooler, and I would try to sell them on the street," states Munoz. "We were extremely poor."
In 1988, Solmedis met José and Maria Moreno. "José was a colporteur who took a special interest in our family," Munoz remembers. "He and his wife would visit our home, bringing special treats such as granola. As our friendship grew, they shared their faith. Eventually my sisters and I started attending Sabbath School."
Although her attendance was sporadic, Solmedis fell in love with the members of the small Ocana Adventist church near her home in Colombia, South America. But she was ambivalent, neither rejecting nor accepting the message. Her life experiences precluded her from trusting anyone—including God. "My mother toiled and fought for everything in life," says Pastor Munoz. "This attitude of self-reliance prevented her from making a commitment to God."
Soon Solmedis became involved in witchcraft and began consulting mediums. She eventually obtained the necessary government permits and opened a brothel. "My mother became very abusive, physically and mentally," he remembers. "Because of this denial of God, open rebellion, and unsafe environment, I made the decision to leave my mother's house," he says.
In 1992 Munoz, who still attended the Ocana church, gave his life to Jesus and was baptized at age 14. "I attribute this decision to the Morenos," he says. "José was an incredibly godly man. He was my role model and spiritual mentor."
During this time he lived with friends, graduated from Satina High School in Ocana, and enrolled at Adventist University of Colombia. A summer employment opportunity at Pacific Press in Idaho brought Munoz to America. From there he transferred to Weimer College in California where he graduated in 2001 and accepted a call to pastor in the Potomac Conference. "I never imagined that I would study theology and become a pastor in the United States," he says.
Completing the Journey
In January 2004 Pastor Munoz received a call from his sister Sol stating that his mother was ill. He returned to Colombia to spend time with her. "It was the first time I had seen her since 1991," he says. "During those two weeks, I rarely left my mother's side and prayed that she would place her trust in God." Although their relationship strengthened and she desired to give her life to Christ, she never made a commitment.
"One day as we talked about God, I felt the Holy Spirit's presence," he says. "I remember thinking, if my mother does not give her heart to the Lord now, I'm not sure if she ever will." Physically and emotionally drained, Munoz returned to the states.
In July 2005 Munoz, who was pastoring the Yale (Va.) church, was preparing to leave and resume his graduate studies at Andrews University. His members presented him and his wife Rebecca with a monetary gift. After seeking the Lord's guidance, Munoz called Pastor Chavez, of the Ocana church, to see if he would be interested in holding evangelistic meetings. Chavez agreed and the couple was on their way.
Solmedis, as usual, always made it a point to come to church whenever her son spoke. Although she expressed interest and even came forward after an appeal, she remained seated during the call for baptism.
She watched quietly as the others were baptized. Then another appeal was made. "At that moment my mother came forward," states Pastor Munoz. "She didn't just dedicate her life to the Lord, she insisted on being baptized right then!" Overwhelmed with emotion and tears, Munoz was unable to speak when he baptized his mother. "That's okay, because my mother's decision, after struggling for so many years, spoke volumes."
Solmedis remembers it vividly. "I was crying that morning," she says. "I knew that I needed to take this step, but I was being held back. God has been victorious; He has finally overcome." Once spiritually lost in the Amazon, Solmedis is now a dedicated member of the Ocana church.
______________________________
|
|
 |
|
 |
Personal Growth
Answers For Me
Bible Bay
Bibleinfo.com
Discover
Study Guides
GraceNotes
It Is Written
ScripShot
Story Songs
Image Gallery
Story Videos
|
 |
