Armenia & "El Eje Cafetero"

Our hosts in Armenia

Fernando and Gloria Saenz

From left to right, Sebastain (twin) Nancye, Richard,

Fernando, Juan David (twin) and Gloria.

Our friendship goes back well over 3o years. Fernando visited us in Long Beach, CA. three years ago. Fernando works full-time as an elder, Bible teacher and preacher of the gospel in Armenia and beyond.

Brethren Hall in Armenia

I had the privilege of preaching twice in the local church (Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon). There is a good sized congregation in Armenia.

Coffee ripening.

The beans are red when ready for harvest.

Armenia is one of three major cities going north to south in one of the ranges of the Andes mountains west of Bogota. The three cities are Manizales, Pereira and Armenia. The area in between is known as "El Eje Cafetero" or "The Coffee Axel". At between 3,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level the area is ideal for growing coffee and is the heart of the coffee industry in Colombia. The area is very fertile and there are also big plantations of bananas, yuca (a root crop), papayas and corn. Armenia is also the hub of the growing tourist industry.

The Cathedral on Armenia's main plaza.

Plaza de Bolivar

With visits to so many homes and people there has been little time for sight-seeing.

We'll have to save the sight-seeing for the next visit!

Plaza de Bolivar

Much of Armenia was destroyed by the earthquake some ten years ago. There are still some allotments that are surrounded by walls where rebuilding has not taken place. Generally speaking Armenia is a nice city.