--- title: "Ready for Takeoff: #CRSMedia Colombia Journal" description: Journey with Lisa Hendey to Colombia to witness firsthand the work of Catholic Relief Services and CRS Rice Bowl in this region of the world. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/01/10/ready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal#) # Ready for Takeoff: #CRSMedia Colombia Journal Jan 10, 2016 4:44:34 PM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![Colombia_fi](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Colombia_fi-550x259-9.jpg?width=550&height=259&name=Colombia_fi-550x259-9.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Colombia_fi-10.jpg) As I type this, I'm sitting in the massive Atlanta airport awaiting departure for this amazing adventure which begins in a little less than an hour. In truth, my adventure began last week with a visit to my parents' house in Gulfport, Mississippi followed by a "mini retreat" with my dear friends Pat Gohn and Maria Morera Johnson (more on those antics soon!). [![flight](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/flight-400x400.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=flight-400x400.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/flight.jpg)I'm a Nervous Nelly when it comes to missing flights, so I arrived earlier enough for a leisurely checkin process and some time to catch up on email. I will be without my phone this next week, so I spent the last hour saying some goodbyes to family. It's funny... I travel all of the time, but there is something about travel involving a passport which inclines me to be a little more intentional in saying my farewells. Ironically, today's flight to Bogota is shorter by ninety minutes than my flight home from New York a few weeks ago. But somehow the immensity of this trip feels grand. I am now in possession of Colombian pesos. My crisp 20,000 bills feature the face of Julio Garavito Armero (January 5, 1865 – March 11, 1920), a Colombian astronomer. I only know this because a Facebook friend asked - if you asked me who's on the front of any of our own bills, I doubt I could tell you without checking. [![currency](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/currency-1-400x400.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=currency-1-400x400.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/currency-1.jpg)This particular bill is worth a little over $6. One of our opportunities this week will be to learn what this amount of money will purchase and how long it takes to earn this in Colombia. Looking at the bills reminds me what a gift it is to have a program like [Rice Bowl](http://www.crsricebowl.org/) to unite us to the families I will meet in Colombia. While $6 will purchase a fast food meal at home, it's likely that those same dollars shared into a Rice Bowl can make a true difference in the lives of the families who farm coffee in Pasto. It's almost time to board now, so I'll cut this post short. Thanks to all of you who are praying with us along this journey. Watch for a note on social media later tonight or early tomorrow morning announcing our arrival. Please join me in praying through the intercession of Colombia’s patrons [Our Lady of Chiquinquirá](http://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-chiquinquira/), [St. Louis Bertrand](http://catholicsaints.info/saint-louis-bertrand/), and [St. Peter Claver](http://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-claver/) for the success and safety of our journey. ## For more information: - [Catholic Relief Services](http://www.crs.org/) - [CRS in Colombia](http://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/where-we-work/colombia) - [CRS Rice Bowl](http://www.crsricebowl.org/) - Follow me on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lisahendey), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/LisaHendey), [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/catholicmom), [Periscope](https://www.periscope.tv/LisaHendey) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lisahendey/) to experience the fun - [My Colombia Journal Entries](http://catholicmom.com/tag/colombia-journal/) *Copyright 2016 Lisa M. Hendey* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F10%2Fready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F10%2Fready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F10%2Fready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Ready%20for%20Takeoff%3A%20%23CRSMedia%20Colombia%20Journal) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F10%2Fready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F10%2Fready-for-takeoff-crsmedia-colombia-journal%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Logistics and Lingo: #CRSMedia Colombia Journal Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/01/06/logistics-and-lingo-crsmedia-colombia-journal) [ A Foodie's View of #Colombia: #CRSMedia Colombia Journal Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/01/19/a-foodies-view-of-colombia-crsmedia-colombia-journal) [ Giving of Our Poverty: #CRSMedia Colombia Journal Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/01/15/giving-of-our-poverty-crsmedia-colombia-journal) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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