My name is Thalia, I’m 20 and I have just finished my second year at Durham University, studying Spanish and International Relations.

I’m really excited to be using my year abroad as an opportunity to grow in my faith, serve, and learn from others in Colombia. I will be travelling at the end of summer 2026 for a six-month Stride placement with Latin Link.

I will be serving in the Ciudad Refugio Foundation in Medellín – an outreach centre for homeless and displaced people, children at risk, and others in need. It is linked to a local church called Casa Refugio (Safe House) and seeks to share the gospel as well as providing for social needs. I will be supporting the activities of the centre, in particular helping prepare and serve food at the Café Refugio. I will also be involved in evangelistic and recreational ministries for children and young people in the church.

I would value your prayers that I would settle in well and build good relationships within the church and community; that I would be able to communicate well and that my Spanish would develop to allow this; that I would learn from others and be able to rely wholly on God through this year. Please also pray for good health and safety.

I would also appreciate any financial support to help towards the costs of travel, insurance, accommodation, etc, to enable me to serve in this ministry.

I will be sending out a prayer letter, and setting up a WhatsApp community with regular updates. If you would like to be added to this, please get in touch via thaliabfferguson@gmail.com