Healing a Broken Heart: A Cruise on the Magdalena River
4/21/26 · Robert Jack Suderman“The heart that has been pulsing in the chest of Colombia is the Magdalena River... It has facilitated the good and the necessary, but it has also been sequestered to aid and abet the bad and the ugly. ”
How do you heal a bad reputation? Especially if the reputation is well deserved and deeply rooted? These are tough questions facing Colombia and Colombians.
Learning traditional ways of preparing food in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia
Colombia is surely one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Colombians will tell you that their country is actually five different countries in one, each one as different as Canada is from Malaysia. There is the country of the Andes (mountains) and of the Prairies (Los Llanos). There is the country of the Amazon and of the Chocó (the western coast). And then there is the unique and passionate country of the Caribbean region. Each region has its own cultural heritage, its sources of wealth, and its incredible natural beauty.
However, this beauty and potential have been marred by 80 years of internal strife, warfare, conflict, and corruption. In the eyes of the world, these unfortunate circumstances have robbed Colombia of its potential and its attraction. And we have to admit, the reputation has deep roots.
But it is changing; in fact, it has already changed, not completely, but in many very significant ways. The transformation is already substantial enough to invite the world to come and see, to come and experience, to come and enjoy the warmth and potential of Colombia and its people. Colombians are convinced that now is the time to heal the reputation, and they are confident that they can each do their part. But how do they convince others?
Sunset on the Magdalena River, Colombia
One way is to demonstrate that the heart has changed. The heart that has been pulsing in the chest of Colombia is the Magdalena River. This river is the Mississippi of Colombia. It has flowed from time immemorial through 1,500 km of Colombian life. It has facilitated the good and the necessary, but it has also been sequestered to aid and abet the bad and the ugly. Today, it is being redeemed. It is beautiful, it is safe, it is life-giving. The dozens of small communities on its banks can trust the river and again experience it as an ally. These communities—Mestizo, Indigenous, Black—are ready to welcome the world to come and see. They are excited about who they are and what they have to offer. They are hospitable and generous. They are eager to show their stuff and to interact freely with tourists. They are able and eager to invite us to their country. And they are proud to do so.
This is the backstory of the AMA Waterways decision to provide the infrastructure and the program to bring international visitors to Colombia. It is part of redeeming the reputation of Colombia in the eyes of the world. AMA has forged an amazing partnership with Colombian agencies dedicated to protecting the flora and fauna, committed to protecting and promoting the integrity of Colombian culture, and with the Colombian government, committed to providing security, safety, and permission to operate on the river. AMA is the only company offering options for experiencing the Magdalena River and the communities for whom the river serves as their lifeblood.
Magdalena River Cruise: Faith & Culture in Colombia tour group led by Jack & Irene Suderman
TourMagination has decided to partner with AMA to bring to life this new possibility. Tourists can experience and contribute to the transformation of Colombia. The cruise along the Magdalena River is more than an opportunity to visit communities, to participate with local artisans in weaving and silver-thread cottage industries, to sway to the musical rhythms of the region, to observe thousands of birds, to watch the ancient expertise of local fishermen in their canoes, to be amazed at the pure beauty of the sunsets over the Magdalena, to enjoy the rich culinary traditions of these cultures, and to connect intimately with a Mennonite congregation.
The cruise is an opportunity to participate in a miracle at work: the miracle of the healing and restoration of Colombia. This deeper and broader vision makes the trip richer and more profound for the travelers and for the hundreds of employees of AMA—all of them Colombian. There is a sense that together we are part of making history. We just returned from this experience. It is invigorating. It’s an option with a worthy difference. Everyone is invited.