Monday was yet another holiday here in Colombia and so we took advantage of it and had a meeting with the sports ministry team. It was great to see all of the youth again and hear what HE has been doing in their lives. Unfortunately, they have not been studying or serving together for the past several months. This was a fact that I knew but HE told me to wait for one of them to rise up as a leader…this did not happen. So, I took the initiative of coming to the meeting, listening to what they had to say, and sharing what HE had placed on my heart. There was a new guy, who had never served with us before but came because his girlfriend works with us. He was very critical, rude, and offensive. I was actually hurt by a lot of things he said without any basis or knowledge of what we do. I went home that night and asked the HS to reveal the truth amongst all of these comments made by this kid. HE did just that and renewed my sense of what to do with this team. We decided to meet weekly to study His Words and then as time allowed we would begin pryr walking in different neighborhoods to see where HE desired us to work.
Tuesday, we get up and head out to Palenque. Once we arrived, Darlys and I head out pryr walking with the intention of meeting up with two people that HE had placed on my heart. We were able to talk to each of them, finalize times to meet later in the week, and went to the Clinic there in Palenque to ask several questions. It was interesting to listen to their answers to very basic questions and agreed to help us compile a list of health problems here in Palenque that can be easily taken care of with preventative medicine and education. This was a huge PRAISE, as we want o use this form of education as a way to get into different houses and earn the trust of the community. I am not sure if you remember but in March of this year I went to Peru to receive some training and it was this training that we are going to formally implement. I have taught it to Darlys and now the two of us will train a local Palenquera to come alongside of us. HE is really moving!! That afternoon, HE gave Darlys and I some time together. We did our discipleship Word study; talked about a lot of ministry things and I finally believe that we are on the same page with our purpose each day in Palenque and in Cartagena! We spent the most time in pryr asking HIM to guide us in each of the things we have talked about during this time together. As we left the house, we were given 3 divine appointments that lead in meeting new people, sitting in their homes learning more about their culture, and one asking us to come back next week. That evening, Darlys was asked to teach in the local club service…another PRAISE as they are looking to us as the leaders of The Word. She did an excellent job storying the story of when the Israelites cross the Red Sea and leading them to apply this story through questions. And this opened the door for more conversations with the Palenqueros who attend the local club but are not family members…yet. It was a long but an excellent day. We ended the day reflecting on what HE showed us, where we were obedient and where we were not obedient for the day. I think Darlys is finally understanding and putting into practice things that I have been teaching and modeling to her for years. PRAISE HIM!
Unfortunately, the power went out at 2AM and did not come back until 6:00PM on Wednesday. The heat robbed us of our sleep but we spent the night pryng and praising HIM. That morning, we had a devotional time with Hrln and Rsr but I am waiting to finish the Restore My Heart study until Susie and Neusa return. They stayed in Cartagena to be with a local volunteer team from one of the clubs that supports Susie. We left the house and went to meet with Krstn. She was washing clothes at a neighbor’s house and so we head over to find another divine appointment. 5 women sitting on the front porch gossiping about who knows what and trying to keep their little ones occupied. We took the opportunity to not only share with Krstn but also get to know these other women. HE revealed to us through this time together that the Palenquero people who attend the club do not know how to love and tend to get on to their non-club attending neighbors. At times it was very uncomfortable as Krstn and Rsr told us to attack these other women as we listened to their responses to my questions. Both Darlys and I just loved on all the women and did not try to correct behavior that is contrary to the Word but normal in their culture and sin nature. One of the girls, 23 yrs old with 3 children, asked us to fix her hair because it was the last night of the 9 day mourning/celebration of the death of her grandmother and there was a huge party. HE gave us an opportunity to not only share HIS Love and Truth with her but also model for Krstn how to love with His Love. It was a long but great morning with these women! HE revealed to me that we can start practicing our story set with these women and finally revealed to Darlys that Krstn is not a believer. I had told her that several times and months ago but she did not believe me but HE revealed this to her and she is on board with how we will approach our time with Krstn.
While we were at Krstn’s house, my stomach and head began to kill me with pain. We went back home, ate lunch, and I laid down while Darlys studied. As luck would have it, it was that time of the month and oh the cramps that I had that day! And where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing when this day arrives…in your house, cool environment, hot pack on your belly, diet coke and chocolate in hand and doing whatever you want to do. And where was I…in someone else’s house, without electricity, in a village that is too hot for words and does not know the words chocolate or diet coke, and miserable. It was in this moment that HE reminded me of who I was in my sin, who I am in HIM and what is my purpose in the village…bring Him glory! So yes, even in this moment I am to bring Him glory and so after a little rest that is what I did. I began to work on some seminary work and prepare for the “house of words” that we would have that afternoon. I met with 2 of the youth for our discipleship time and fed them before the rest of the youth came for the activity.
That evening the youth that had been baptized on Monday by the pastor from Cartagena wanted to share their experiences with the rest of the group. As we sat and listened, HE made it evident to me that the majority did not know what baptism was, nor had they accepted HIM as their Lrd, and were very confused. I began to ask several different questions and always asking why and where do they find that in The Word. After they settled down to understand that I was not getting on to them but trying to help them be ready to answer these questions from the people in the village and understand more of His Words, it was an amazing time of teaching. I taught on the gospel, shared it with them, about salvation, and baptism. It was neat to watch HIM open their eyes and hearts to understand HIM and these Truths. We asked them to write down different questions, topics, etc that they would like to discuss at the “house of words” in the future and then we dismissed. There were 3 youth who did not come, and they just happen to be the 3 that the pastor’s wife had said, in front of everyone, that they could not be baptized. We sent one group to visit 2 of them and Darlys and I head to visit Zn, Ktln’s daughter. She was not there but HE provided yet another divine appointment. Her older brother who is anything but interested in His Truths was there with a huge group of his friends; taking advantage of his mom being out of town with the volunteer team! We sat with them asked them questions, answered their questions, and asked if we could come back and hang out. It was so cool to see HIM open up doors for us to meet new people and share HIS Love with them…something that they have not seen before, even those that go to the local club.
Thursday was yet another busy day that was put on hold while we wait for the torrential downpour to pass. We took advantage of the time together for more teaching and pryng. Unfortunately and fortunately, Darlys also started and was feeling the pain I was feeling and complaining about not being at home. HE taught her the same lesson that HE taught me the day before through me and we both spent time along with HIM giving Him glory for this opportunity to serve HIM in Palenque. We head to meet with Nz and her family but she was asleep and asked for us to come back later that afternoon. We were disappointed that she was not ready to meet with us but HE lead us to meet with Eva, the young pregnant girl whose “guy” had left her for another woman. We head to her house and to our surprise he is back and she is acting strange. We learn that he is dealing drugs and she shares some new things with us. We ask if she would be willing to meet weekly to hear His Stories that we are practicing and she agrees, tells us what time, and we get excited to see what HE has in store for this part of Palenque. She is one of our first contacts in this part of Palenque, so pry as we watch HIM move! After lunch, we head to Nz’s house and find her, her kids, and her husband waiting for us! Wait, is this the same woman who was too busy sleeping to meet with us but now has her entire family waiting for us. It was a sweet time together with this family and His Truths! She took us to meet some of her neighbors, who she invited (unprompted by us) to her house to study with us next week! What? Seriously, Dad who can do all of this…only YOU when we wait on Your Timing for everything!!
One of the neighbors offered us some juice, which I know now, was made with water from their “river” which is anything but clean. Both Darlys and I begin to feel bad but ask HIM to relieve our pain and we head to Ktln’s house to spend some time with her. When we arrive there are several other women at the house, and so we take advantage of the divine appointments and get to know these women as well. It was great being with Ktln and just loving on her with His Words and encouragement! By the grace of HIM, Zn shows up needing help with English and shares some very interesting things with me. It was definitely an encouragement to me as I was sad that I had not spent any time with her during the week due to her not being around. After helping her with her English, my stomach is killing me and Darlys tells me she needs to get home to do her homework. We get back to the house and there is no power and so Darlys asks if we can go back to Cartagena. We head out to get the car with a youth we met up with who wanted to know what we were doing that night…another praise that they are looking for us to spend time together!!
We head home, take a shower, unpack, and go to bed! The next day, I did not go to the farm because I needed to take my car in to get the alarm and window fixed. Also the Internet people were coming out because once again I am having difficulties with Internet and they were putting in a landline. After running all of these errands, I spent most of the day in the bathroom enjoying the effects of the juice that I had drank the day before. In between bathroom trips, I was able to work on my seminary class stuff and rest from a long week serving HIM.
On Saturday, I went with the Riffle’s and the Paul’s to Barranquilla. The Riffle’s are finally close to moving into their home and so they asked us to go with them to help with the kids and carrying the different appliances and what not that they needed for their new home! It was an interesting day full of playing with kids in all kinds of stores and enjoying some American foods! When we got back that night, I was absolutely exhausted. I praised HIM for my single life but also began missing my family more and more. With my dad being as sick as he has been, it has been very difficult for me to be here and not be there with them. That night, I just cried after I talked to my mom and Kerri…wishing I was home with them, taking care of them, and just being loved on by them. I praise HIM for new family but there is nothing like the amazing family HE gave me!! They are amazing and I miss them SO MUCH it hurts! I know this sacrifice is worth it because HE has called me for such a time as this to be here but I do miss my family and friends back home! I pry HE gets glory even in my times of home-sickness as I lean on HIM for comfort and sense of knowing HE loves them way more than I ever could and is taking care of them where they are!
Yesterday, I went back to the youth SS class under HIS direction. HE is slowly revealing my purpose in this class and how HE desires to use me amongst these youth who are more focused on themselves and their activities than HIS glory and His work in their communities. After club, Jorge’s family came over to celebrate one of the Aunt’s birthdays. It was a nice time of serving her and them but it made me miss my family yet again! I did not have time to talk to my family as I had to finish a report for one of my classes but I spent a lot of time last night on my knees for them as I miss them like crazy.
So if you are reading this and are near one of them, give them a huge hug from me!
Tuesday, we get up and head out to Palenque. Once we arrived, Darlys and I head out pryr walking with the intention of meeting up with two people that HE had placed on my heart. We were able to talk to each of them, finalize times to meet later in the week, and went to the Clinic there in Palenque to ask several questions. It was interesting to listen to their answers to very basic questions and agreed to help us compile a list of health problems here in Palenque that can be easily taken care of with preventative medicine and education. This was a huge PRAISE, as we want o use this form of education as a way to get into different houses and earn the trust of the community. I am not sure if you remember but in March of this year I went to Peru to receive some training and it was this training that we are going to formally implement. I have taught it to Darlys and now the two of us will train a local Palenquera to come alongside of us. HE is really moving!! That afternoon, HE gave Darlys and I some time together. We did our discipleship Word study; talked about a lot of ministry things and I finally believe that we are on the same page with our purpose each day in Palenque and in Cartagena! We spent the most time in pryr asking HIM to guide us in each of the things we have talked about during this time together. As we left the house, we were given 3 divine appointments that lead in meeting new people, sitting in their homes learning more about their culture, and one asking us to come back next week. That evening, Darlys was asked to teach in the local club service…another PRAISE as they are looking to us as the leaders of The Word. She did an excellent job storying the story of when the Israelites cross the Red Sea and leading them to apply this story through questions. And this opened the door for more conversations with the Palenqueros who attend the local club but are not family members…yet. It was a long but an excellent day. We ended the day reflecting on what HE showed us, where we were obedient and where we were not obedient for the day. I think Darlys is finally understanding and putting into practice things that I have been teaching and modeling to her for years. PRAISE HIM!
Unfortunately, the power went out at 2AM and did not come back until 6:00PM on Wednesday. The heat robbed us of our sleep but we spent the night pryng and praising HIM. That morning, we had a devotional time with Hrln and Rsr but I am waiting to finish the Restore My Heart study until Susie and Neusa return. They stayed in Cartagena to be with a local volunteer team from one of the clubs that supports Susie. We left the house and went to meet with Krstn. She was washing clothes at a neighbor’s house and so we head over to find another divine appointment. 5 women sitting on the front porch gossiping about who knows what and trying to keep their little ones occupied. We took the opportunity to not only share with Krstn but also get to know these other women. HE revealed to us through this time together that the Palenquero people who attend the club do not know how to love and tend to get on to their non-club attending neighbors. At times it was very uncomfortable as Krstn and Rsr told us to attack these other women as we listened to their responses to my questions. Both Darlys and I just loved on all the women and did not try to correct behavior that is contrary to the Word but normal in their culture and sin nature. One of the girls, 23 yrs old with 3 children, asked us to fix her hair because it was the last night of the 9 day mourning/celebration of the death of her grandmother and there was a huge party. HE gave us an opportunity to not only share HIS Love and Truth with her but also model for Krstn how to love with His Love. It was a long but great morning with these women! HE revealed to me that we can start practicing our story set with these women and finally revealed to Darlys that Krstn is not a believer. I had told her that several times and months ago but she did not believe me but HE revealed this to her and she is on board with how we will approach our time with Krstn.
While we were at Krstn’s house, my stomach and head began to kill me with pain. We went back home, ate lunch, and I laid down while Darlys studied. As luck would have it, it was that time of the month and oh the cramps that I had that day! And where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing when this day arrives…in your house, cool environment, hot pack on your belly, diet coke and chocolate in hand and doing whatever you want to do. And where was I…in someone else’s house, without electricity, in a village that is too hot for words and does not know the words chocolate or diet coke, and miserable. It was in this moment that HE reminded me of who I was in my sin, who I am in HIM and what is my purpose in the village…bring Him glory! So yes, even in this moment I am to bring Him glory and so after a little rest that is what I did. I began to work on some seminary work and prepare for the “house of words” that we would have that afternoon. I met with 2 of the youth for our discipleship time and fed them before the rest of the youth came for the activity.
That evening the youth that had been baptized on Monday by the pastor from Cartagena wanted to share their experiences with the rest of the group. As we sat and listened, HE made it evident to me that the majority did not know what baptism was, nor had they accepted HIM as their Lrd, and were very confused. I began to ask several different questions and always asking why and where do they find that in The Word. After they settled down to understand that I was not getting on to them but trying to help them be ready to answer these questions from the people in the village and understand more of His Words, it was an amazing time of teaching. I taught on the gospel, shared it with them, about salvation, and baptism. It was neat to watch HIM open their eyes and hearts to understand HIM and these Truths. We asked them to write down different questions, topics, etc that they would like to discuss at the “house of words” in the future and then we dismissed. There were 3 youth who did not come, and they just happen to be the 3 that the pastor’s wife had said, in front of everyone, that they could not be baptized. We sent one group to visit 2 of them and Darlys and I head to visit Zn, Ktln’s daughter. She was not there but HE provided yet another divine appointment. Her older brother who is anything but interested in His Truths was there with a huge group of his friends; taking advantage of his mom being out of town with the volunteer team! We sat with them asked them questions, answered their questions, and asked if we could come back and hang out. It was so cool to see HIM open up doors for us to meet new people and share HIS Love with them…something that they have not seen before, even those that go to the local club.
Thursday was yet another busy day that was put on hold while we wait for the torrential downpour to pass. We took advantage of the time together for more teaching and pryng. Unfortunately and fortunately, Darlys also started and was feeling the pain I was feeling and complaining about not being at home. HE taught her the same lesson that HE taught me the day before through me and we both spent time along with HIM giving Him glory for this opportunity to serve HIM in Palenque. We head to meet with Nz and her family but she was asleep and asked for us to come back later that afternoon. We were disappointed that she was not ready to meet with us but HE lead us to meet with Eva, the young pregnant girl whose “guy” had left her for another woman. We head to her house and to our surprise he is back and she is acting strange. We learn that he is dealing drugs and she shares some new things with us. We ask if she would be willing to meet weekly to hear His Stories that we are practicing and she agrees, tells us what time, and we get excited to see what HE has in store for this part of Palenque. She is one of our first contacts in this part of Palenque, so pry as we watch HIM move! After lunch, we head to Nz’s house and find her, her kids, and her husband waiting for us! Wait, is this the same woman who was too busy sleeping to meet with us but now has her entire family waiting for us. It was a sweet time together with this family and His Truths! She took us to meet some of her neighbors, who she invited (unprompted by us) to her house to study with us next week! What? Seriously, Dad who can do all of this…only YOU when we wait on Your Timing for everything!!
One of the neighbors offered us some juice, which I know now, was made with water from their “river” which is anything but clean. Both Darlys and I begin to feel bad but ask HIM to relieve our pain and we head to Ktln’s house to spend some time with her. When we arrive there are several other women at the house, and so we take advantage of the divine appointments and get to know these women as well. It was great being with Ktln and just loving on her with His Words and encouragement! By the grace of HIM, Zn shows up needing help with English and shares some very interesting things with me. It was definitely an encouragement to me as I was sad that I had not spent any time with her during the week due to her not being around. After helping her with her English, my stomach is killing me and Darlys tells me she needs to get home to do her homework. We get back to the house and there is no power and so Darlys asks if we can go back to Cartagena. We head out to get the car with a youth we met up with who wanted to know what we were doing that night…another praise that they are looking for us to spend time together!!
We head home, take a shower, unpack, and go to bed! The next day, I did not go to the farm because I needed to take my car in to get the alarm and window fixed. Also the Internet people were coming out because once again I am having difficulties with Internet and they were putting in a landline. After running all of these errands, I spent most of the day in the bathroom enjoying the effects of the juice that I had drank the day before. In between bathroom trips, I was able to work on my seminary class stuff and rest from a long week serving HIM.
On Saturday, I went with the Riffle’s and the Paul’s to Barranquilla. The Riffle’s are finally close to moving into their home and so they asked us to go with them to help with the kids and carrying the different appliances and what not that they needed for their new home! It was an interesting day full of playing with kids in all kinds of stores and enjoying some American foods! When we got back that night, I was absolutely exhausted. I praised HIM for my single life but also began missing my family more and more. With my dad being as sick as he has been, it has been very difficult for me to be here and not be there with them. That night, I just cried after I talked to my mom and Kerri…wishing I was home with them, taking care of them, and just being loved on by them. I praise HIM for new family but there is nothing like the amazing family HE gave me!! They are amazing and I miss them SO MUCH it hurts! I know this sacrifice is worth it because HE has called me for such a time as this to be here but I do miss my family and friends back home! I pry HE gets glory even in my times of home-sickness as I lean on HIM for comfort and sense of knowing HE loves them way more than I ever could and is taking care of them where they are!
Yesterday, I went back to the youth SS class under HIS direction. HE is slowly revealing my purpose in this class and how HE desires to use me amongst these youth who are more focused on themselves and their activities than HIS glory and His work in their communities. After club, Jorge’s family came over to celebrate one of the Aunt’s birthdays. It was a nice time of serving her and them but it made me miss my family yet again! I did not have time to talk to my family as I had to finish a report for one of my classes but I spent a lot of time last night on my knees for them as I miss them like crazy.
So if you are reading this and are near one of them, give them a huge hug from me!
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