Mission Focus | Venezuela
Missionaries | Robin & Paul Tinley
Approximately 5.5 million Venezuelans have fled their country since 2019. An average of 5,000 per day are fleeing to bordering countries. The journey is grueling, and refugees are exposed to exploitation, trafficking, and violence, as well as malnutrition and cold weather.
Paul and Robin Tinley spend their lives in “crisis ministry” helping refugees leaving Venezuela in desperate search of a better life in Columbia, which hosts the largest number of Venezuelans.
Robin describes the situation of most refugees as “lacking the absolute basics for survival and with no means of providing it for themselves.” And the challenge is not only to help provide the physical needs of food, clothing, and medical attention to the evacuees but also to help them with the emotional and spiritual trauma they are experiencing.
Paul and Robin’s dogged determination to share the gospel is what keeps them going. The gospel offers hope to anyone walking on the road between Venezuela and Colombia.
5 Fun Facts about the Missionaries
Paul and Robin Tinley work along the border of Colombia and Venezuela in South America.
The missionaries love Venezuela and its people. They lived there for 27 years before moving to Colombia.
People in both Venezuela and Colombia speak Spanish, so the missionaries didn’t have to learn a new language when they moved.
Mrs. Tinley is also a writer.
The Tinleys are friends with many pastors in Venezuela.
Prayer Requests
Ask God to give Mr. and Mrs. Tinley strength and wisdom to continue helping people who are in difficult situations.
Pray for the pastors and church leaders who stay in Venezuela to be bold and tell others about Jesus.
Praise God for the Tinley’s opportunities to help travelers find good food, clothing, schools, and jobs.
Pray for more people to help Venezuelans who are moving to another country.
Ask God to keep the families who travel long distances safe and for them to hear about Jesus.