A new center providing emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families has opened at a private hospital in Bucaramanga, Colombia, thanks to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Inaugurated at the Hospital Internacional de Colombia, leaders unveiled the Letras de Vida (Letters for Life) Center of Influence. According to local church leaders, Letters for Life marks a significant milestone in hospital care by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
“We praise God for this special space, which will create opportunities to connect with those who are ailing and in need of healing and hope,” said Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division.
The Center will provide support to hospital patients facing difficult times through its various services, such as suicide prevention support and volunteer-driven social initiatives.
“With God’s guidance, we begin a new chapter. Letras de Vida is a beacon that will undoubtedly guide many people,” said Dr. Jonathan Cáceres Prada, the medical director of Hospital Internacional de Colombia and the visionary behind the initiative, during the center’s inauguration on December 6, 2024.
A Beacon of Hope for All
The center features a curated bookshop with titles published by the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA), a healthy food corner, and a section offering other resources and art products for both adults and children.
It also offers a unique book-lending service in the form of a bookmobile, which delivers books directly to patients’ rooms. With over 100 titles available, the selection covers topics such as personal growth, spirituality, family strengthening, and health. Patients can request books through the center’s official website, where they will receive personalized service via an online chat feature.
The center has received strong support from the East Colombia Conference, which coordinates local and international volunteer missionary service through its School of Missions initiative.
Impact Beyond the Hospital
The opening of Letras de Vida garnered widespread attention in the local media, highlighting the positive impact of the initiative. “Projects like this reinforce the Adventist mission of serving society, bringing hope and well-being beyond church congregations,” church leaders said.
Dr. Cáceres added: “Having the opportunity for books filled with hope to reach those who need them most, providing guidance and direction toward restoration, is a great blessing, and all of this has been made possible by God.”
Faith That Moves Mountains
Dr. Cáceres emphasized how faith has been crucial in the development of this project, recounting key moments when God guided the process. “When we didn’t know how to build the website and time was running out, God sent a marketing expert from Mexico who resolved the challenge with excellence,” he shared. “And when we were uncertain about how to stock the center with various products, God used a young man to offer his resources and expertise. These are just a few examples of how God has brought together lives, knowledge, and resources to make this mission a reality.”
Letras de Vida is expected to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families and to humanize the hospital experience by providing a space for comfort and reflection.
The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.
