In Colombia, Visually Impaired Group Experiences Ocean for the First Time

Seven participants accepted Christ during a special retreat, which combined worship, recreation, fellowship, and adapted activities.

May 26, 2026 | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | Cristin Serrano and IAD News Staff

What began as a dream in the heart of Luz Marina Ardila eventually became a life-changing journey for dozens of people. For several years, Ardila, Adventist Possibility

Ministries director at the Redención Adventist Church in Bucaramanga, Colombia, dreamed of taking visually impaired individuals to experience the ocean for the first time.

More than a recreational trip, she wanted participants to feel God’s love through nature and be reminded that they are valued and special.
With that purpose in mind, 23 visually impaired participants, accompanied by volunteers, relatives, and spiritual leaders, traveled 540 kilometers from Bucaramanga to Santa Marta on May 9.

Ardila, who has worked with visually impaired members through Possibility Ministries for the past five years, helped organize the retreat to provide participants with spiritual encouragement, fellowship, and the opportunity to experience the ocean for the first time.
“The idea was born from the desire to bring them out of the darkness many live in daily and show them that they too can enjoy the wonders created by God,” Ardila said.

Upon arriving at the beach, emotions quickly overwhelmed many participants. Some stretched out their hands to touch the ocean for the first time, while others listened to the waves and smiled as they felt the sea breeze across their faces. Several could not hold back tears. For many, it was also the first time leaving their city or participating in this type of recreational experience.

One of the retreat’s most emotional moments came when seven participants decided to give their lives to Christ through baptism in the sea. Family members, volunteers, and leaders witnessed the moment with deep emotion.

“Seeing how God worked in each one of them was indescribable,” Ardila said. “We felt that the Lord guided every detail of this project.”

A Camp Filled With Hope and Inclusion

During their stay in Santa Marta, participants joined adapted activities and gathered each morning by the ocean for prayer, singing, and spiritual reflection led by Everson Bautista, pastor of the Redención Adventist Church in Bucaramanga.

“They could not see the sea, but they could feel the God who created it,” Bautista said. “They did not need physical sight to experience God’s love.”
Bautista said the experience renewed his faith and calling to serve others without distinction. Throughout the retreat, tourists and passersby often stopped to listen to the worship music and messages shared along the beach, while evening devotionals continued at the hotel.

Beyond spiritual activities, participants enjoyed adapted recreation, including Bible contests, therapy sessions, pool activities, and a soccer game using a ball with bells so players could follow the sound.

Ana Valentina Ortiz, Ardila’s granddaughter, led many of the recreational activities, encouraging participants throughout the retreat.

Bautista and his wife also surprised the group with a visit to Playa Blanca, made possible through a special offering collected during an evangelistic series at an Adventist church in the United States.

A Mission Sustained by Faith

Organizing the retreat was challenging. Although 40 visually impaired individuals initially registered, limited funding forced organizers to postpone the trip. Still, Ardila moved forward in faith, organizing fundraisers and seeking support from church members and friends.

Among those supporting the initiative were Dr. Nelson Iván González and Dr. Argenida Blanco, who helped coordinate donations and financial assistance. The retreat also received support from the North Colombian Union, the East Colombian Conference, the Redención Adventist Church in Bucaramanga, and Adventist members in the United States.

“All I have is gratitude toward God,” Ardila said. “He kept opening doors and gave us the strength to make this dream possible.”

Bautista urged the church to strengthen a culture of inclusion and compassionate service, emphasizing that the gospel calls believers to reach every person without exception.

“Inclusion is not optional within the gospel,” he said. “We must adapt our environments, our strategies, and even our hearts to seek and value people who are often forgotten. These people also need to hear about the love of Jesus and know they are important to God.”

A Call for Christian Inclusion

For Ardila, the retreat highlighted the importance of treating people with disabilities with greater compassion and dignity. She said her involvement in disability inclusion began years ago after noticing visually impaired individuals often felt overlooked at church.
“Sometimes they arrived at church and no one helped them find a place to sit,” Ardila said. “That made me cry many times. I love them deeply and feel in my heart the desire to serve them.”

The retreat left a lasting impact on participants, many of whom said they felt truly loved, valued, and cared for, she added. One participant described the experience as unforgettable, expressing gratitude to God and everyone who helped make it possible.

Following the Santa Marta retreat, Ardila said Possibility Ministries remains committed to supporting visually impaired individuals and their families through hope, inclusion, and spiritual encouragement. She added that she hopes more people will continue experiencing the love of Jesus and growing in faith through future initiatives.