Life in Suriname...

Well Sunday was one big day of traveling for us. I sadly said goodbye to Brody and headed to the airport to leave for Panama. I did not sleep too much the night before, so I was exhausted but spent the first plane to panama just worshipping Him, asking Him to prepare me for the day, and just pryd over my family. I began to get really homesick as I said goodbye to those I could talk to on the phone...and that continued the entire day. I land in {anama, check out the airport, and then wait for the plane. Three other families and Christy meet me in the waiting room and the fun begins. We land in Curaçao, get our stuff,and by the grace of Dad check in early as we begin our 9 hour layover. Two of the families, Christy and I decide to take a tour on an open air bus. It was amazing. I honestly couldn't believe that HE would allow me to see this beautiful island, with amazing weather, eat at Wendy's, and have use of Internet for free. It was a great time and I praise Him for giving us an affordable way to spend 4 of the 9 hours. We finally leave for Suriname, I sleep the entire way there because I am exhausted. We land at 12:30AM, get through customs, and get on a bus for an hour to arrive at our hotel. It is late, and it felt so good to go to bed.

We wake up late the next morning with just enough time to go to the grocery store. We get to the store and I go into culture shock. I have not seen so much American stuff in forever! One leader tells us that they have so much stuff because they have to import everything. I am hoping we can go back so I can stock up before going home. After groceries, we exchange money and pack up the bus again. We go eat roke, which is an amazing Suraneese dish of chicken, green beans, and tortillas. We hear that the airport we were supposed to use was closed and we are heading to another. We get to the airport, weigh in (us and our bags), and then wait for the plane. Christy and I leave first on a 4 seater plane. It was a cool trip...bumpy but cool. We were able to see so much of the country. We land, the pilots take out the luggage, and tell us goodbye. Yep, new country, new language, and the two of us. We waited for about 40 minutes before the local m came up to greet us. They had not told them that we had left, so he did not know we were there. We carried the luggage to the boats, he took us to buy us a coke while we waited for 2 hours for the next group. It was so great to talk to him, listen to his story, and just meet a few of the people.

The next group arrives, we unload, and carry the rest of the luggage through the village to get to the boats. We load up the boats with our luggage and people and head to our new home in the jungle for the next month. It was a 45-minute ride down the river to where we lived. It was so beautiful. I couldn't stop giving thanks to Him for allowing me to see another one of the beautiful places and meet more people that He created. We arrive and I am completely blown away. The camp is amazing. I seriously was surprised at what they had done here. Each family had their own cabin and Christy and I are sharing. Ours is tucked away in the corner with a nice front porch with river right in front of us. We dropped our bags and went to eat an Akn dinner. The funny thing is that Akn dinners are a lot like Colombian dinners...we ate chicken and rice. We had a brief meeting, learned how to tie our hammocks, Mosquitos nets, and where to get water. We went back to our rooms and we set up our house for the next month.

I didn't sleep too much that first night and woke up in time to spend time with Him, get some breakfast and head out on the boat to make my first store run. The island store was full of more things than I thought and even the local m was surprised by a couple of things that they had. On our way back, we were able to see our island a little better. Our island has a run way for the airplanes (but when we came in it was closed because of rain), a small school, houses for the teachers, a clinic, and us. It is a safe island surrounded by Jungle and right on the river. After our store run, we began our orientation and meeting time. It was neat to meet each of the new ms and their families. I have been trying to be intentional with each family to hear their stories and try to figure out how I can best serve them and love them. That afternoon, we were taken and shown how they wash clothes in the river. After finishing washing our clothes, I headed back to the house and spent the afternoon with Him. Just sitting and listening to what He had to say to me. It was an amazing time in His Word and I praise Him for meeting me there. I was still feeling quite homesick, missing lots and lots of people...and wishing that they were here with me, or at least I had one friend here. Every day I realize more and more just how introverted I am and that sweet time with Him is always exactly what I need to be ready to be used by Him.

Wednesday, I woke up on and off all night long for various reasons but mostly for pain...in the knee, in the stomach, in the head...lots of pain. So I made sure to spend lots of quality time in His word while I ate some oatmeal and drank some yummy Colombian coffee.  I am reading in I John and He revealed to me the importance of being the light here on this campus. We had a good morning of training where the leadership talked about the importance of personal holiness, different cultural dos and don’ts, and we practiced learning the Aknn language with the local ms here. Every lunch we eat in community and it is typically an Akn lunch. And He blessed me with the opportunity to sit and talk to BS, the local m here. It was so refreshing to hear her story, heart for her people, and passion for Him most importantly. I definitely needed this time and praise Him for giving me the opportunity to hear all about her. That afternoon we learned basic construction skills, tools, dos and don’ts. It was a neat class lead by a volunteer who is the sweetest man and a joy to be around. After "camp time", I spent some more time resting in Him and seeking His face. I was disrupted several times by my roomie, kids, and life...so I decided to join the disruptions in their fishing endeavors. I baited a hook, threw it out, and we waited to catch a wolf fish. Through the night we would check on the line, but we didn't seem to be too lucky and just went to bed. I spent the night praising Him for such an amazing day, time in His word, and with His children.

Thursday, I woke up with less pain and so I immediately hit my knees in praise to a Dad who loves and heals. I did my new morning routine...make the coffee, make the breakfast, get ready, and spend time with Him. After that we all meet together for worship and a devotional time as adults. The children spend the entire morning with some volunteers and other ms having school and learning how to live in the jungle. After devotional time we begin our 3 different morning sessions together learning or reviewing things that will help us be better and more effective ms on the field. Then someone rings the bell for lunch, and we all eat lunch together. After lunch we have camp time, where we learn more practical things to prepare for life in the jungle...like basic electrical work, solar panels, generators, fire starting, etc. After that, we generally have free time to wash clothes, ourselves, clean, spend time with Him, or do clean up around camp. We can always go for a swim in the river. Two days a week they will take us across the river to the store to purchase things for the week and three days a week a plane will come in and generally have some veggies or breads for sale. At night, we are on our own for dinner and some people have meetings or group time or free time.

So that is my schedule each day, more or less. Today's teachings were informative about building our strategy plan, health issues, and basic rules for the camp. At lunch, I have tried to take advantage of getting to know the many people that are with us. But this lunch, I just helped out one of the families with her kids. During our camp time, we learned the basics of electrical things, which was very interesting. That afternoon, I spent time in the Word and just resting in Him. I wish you could see my front porch where I spend my time with Him...it is breathtaking. We were able to go to the store this afternoon and it had some unusual things. The hardest part is not having a place to keep thing cool if we don't use all of the food. We hurried back to the island where we had time to have a meeting as women and then head out with B to another island where she leads some women in study of His word. It was a neat experience but really made me miss my people. It is frustrating to have so much you want to say but not have the ability to say hardly anything. I spent my time prying for B and the women we were meeting with that day. We came back to the island, cooked some dinner, and got ready for the next day.

Friday started with the same routine. We learned about orality and storying, which was a review for me and I believe most of the people. At lunch, I had the privilege to hear the stories of a married couple serving in Chile. It was neat to hear how He called them to Him, and called them to the ministry. I do not get tired of listening to people's redemption stories. As I listen, He reveals new ways that I can pry for each person here. I am still trying to figure out my purpose for being here and why He has brought me here. But everyday, I search for His will and where He is moving and just go there. That evening, Christy and I ate dinner with one couple. It was a definite ministry opportunity as we heard their hearts and what is important to them. It was a good opportunity for me to know how to pry for them and how they need to be encouraged. I pry that He will use me to encourage them just at the right times. And that evening, He used me to listen to my roomie and encourage her and what she has been doing and what she is thinking about for her future. It was a long night but I know He will multiply my sleep.

Saturday, I had an amazing time in His word. Being in 1 John has been challenging as He calls us to abide in Him and to love. The concepts and teachings are not complicated...I am. How simple it is to abide in Him and allow His truth to abide in you and His light to reflect through you. Oh how I pry that I can bring Him glory today through abiding in His words. After our morning devotional, we all pack up the boats and head over to another island. We as a team were going to build a swing set and play with some kids. It was so weird to not be able to communicate but just like with anything when you are thrown in, you either sink or swim. All the basic words and sayings I knew in Akn were used with every kid. We played some games with them, I helped the men a little bit with the swing set but you know men they like to do it themselves, and so I just loved on some people. When we had finally finished, it was so cool to see their faces as they were swinging for the first time. I took so many pictures of their faces because it was priceless. It was a huge blessing to be used by Him, even if I could not communicate His truths. I spent lots of time pryng over the swing set, the sweet faces we met, and the island. The people there were so friendly but it is spiritual dead and dark. I pry that CSS will be reflections of His Light and He will continue to soften hearts to Him. When we came back, we basically spent the evening with another family cooking, laughing, sharing, and just relaxing. It was a great day of Him using us in different ways.

Sunday, we finally get to sleep in a little bit and I spent some much needed time with Him this morning. Then we all leave for different clubs...it was so neat to ride a boat across the river, walk through the jungle, and eventually end up at a club. And to top it off, it was the first service in a long time that I did not just sweat in because He has blessed us with amazing weather. It was such a blessing to hear testimonies, sing with the aukaners, and listen to a man who recently accepted after a tragic accident with his son just last year. He is an Aukaner not afraid of his faith and sharing at anytime and with anyone. I praise Him for allowing me to experience this service. The afternoon was spent making lunch, listening to more friends, and time in the Word. We had a community American meal of hamburgers, fries, and desert! It was incredible to smell real grilled meat and eat a hamburger that had an actual flavor. We sat around and reflected on the week and prepared ourselves for the next week. I am excited to hear how He will continue to use me this next week and teach me more about Him.

We finally get to go back to Palenque. First for a wedding, where HE stretched me to be all things from the wedding coordinator, make up artist, decorator, cake maker, and best woman in the Palenque heat (without electricity all day!) Second, we were able to go back to see how everyone was doing. It was good to hear all about how HE was stretching them, all their questions about what they had been reading (yes that is right, they had been reading on their own!!), and then we sat with Ktln to hear what hell she had been through over the past 2 weeks.

To remind you, Ktln is one of the strongest Palenquero believers we have and is our right hand man when we do any kind of ministry. She became a believer over 13 years ago and has made some huge life changes. One of those is that she decided to separate from her husband because he had another woman in another house and would go back and forth between the two women. This is very normal for the polygamous culture that these Palenqueros live in. The women believe that they have to accept this and are treated as objects. With her newfound identity in Chrst, Ktln knew that this was not right and tried to make things right with her husband. He would not hear of just living with his wife, and children and so she separated from him. They have been able to keep their relationship civil for the most part for the past 10 years or so but when he drinks he generally comes around to bother them.

Two weeks ago, his other woman left to sell sweets in another town and he was drinking a lot. He came to Ktln’s home and tried to rape her. He continued this in all hours of the day and night. One night, her oldest son let his dad into the house not knowing he had been drinking and he tried to rape Ktln in her house and on her front porch. The next night, he broke down the door (as she has no way of securing her home) and raped her repeatedly in her home, with her children there present. She was completely broken. She felt like she had no one to help her, as the people of the community have rejected her decision to separate from her husband. She did not feel safe in her own home as she had no way of locking the doors and at any time, this man could come in and do whatever he wanted without any consequences. She decided to seek help from the police in a nearby town (as Palenque does not have police and tend to handle their matters with the 7 elders.) She has sought a restraining order that prevents him from being able to come near her without having to go to jail.

As I sat and listened to my sister, broken and crying out for help, I immediately began pryng that HE would provide someone to fix her doors so that she could lock them and feel safe in her own home until the police could become involved. Just like HE always does, HE reminded me of some money that some friend’s donated to the work and my two amazing brothers on the farm who can build and do almost anything with their hands. HE gave me permission to use this money and ask them for their help.

I had to go home because Bekah was coming to visit but we made plans to fix her house up the next week and I offered for her to come live with me until the police handled the situation. Praise HIM that the next day, the police issued the restraining order and she was able to feel like she had someone caring for her.

So Bekah arrives and I immediately put her to work as I had a new group of youth girls at the house to begin to study with them. It was neat to watch these girls open up to me and share their hearts with me. I am excited to see what HE does through their commitment to study His Words together every other week. The next day, Luz came over for discipleship. I was excited for Bekah to get to know Luz and be apart of our study. The youth team came over to continue our study in Romans and once again I was excited for her to see these youth on fire for His Words and how they were being changed by His Words. After they left, we had some time to talk and I was able to hear her heart and HE revealed to me where she was in her walk with Him and that this week was not about her serving but her meeting face to face with The Creator. So my focus of her week completely changed, I began to help provide times for her to spend time in His Words and just spend time with Him.

Sunday, we headed to El Nido to club because I had offered for Bekah to help lead worship before I knew where she was but it was a neat experience for all of us. And HE used the sermon to speak directly to her and it was neat to see HIM answering my pryrs and meeting her right where she was and not missing a beat. That afternoon, we stayed and ate a community meal on the farm before heading out to Palenque. One of the girls on the farm begged us to let her go to Palenque and of course, we agreed. So the 5 of us head out to watch Him work miracles and answer pryrs in Palenque.

When we arrived, I left Darlys, Bekah, and Erianis in the house to organize all of our things while Jorge and I drove the car to the house where we keep it outside of Palenque. As we walk back to the house, Eliezer (one of the youth) decides to walk back with us and begins to ask us all kinds of questions about His Words. He says he wants to learn how to teach His Words and study His Words better. What? Are you kidding me…youth coming to us and asking us to teach them! Amen, what an Amazing Father we serve! I let he and Jorge talk (what a blessing to have Jorge there to minister to all the guys in Palenque.) I head back to the house to get things ready for the youth to come over and study His Words. And what an amazing night of watching Him use His Words and Love to unravel things they had believed and put Truth in their place. It was great that Bekah and Erianis were able to see Him work in such a miraculous way in the lives of the youth that night.

The next day, we had devotion together and pryr walked in the AM and visited different people. It was a great time of ministering to the people of Palenque and allowing Bekah and Eriainis to see what the life of a M really looks like. That afternoon, Mike and Josh came to fix Ktln’s door. I really wish I had words to describe how His Hands, Feet, Words, etc were used to meet a need of fellow sister. Of course, they had the doors fixed within an hour because HE has blessed them that much. It was neat to watch Ktln’s expressions of joy as she could not believe that two guys that she had not known would come and fix her house. She could not believe that a couple from the states would give money so that her door could be fixed and so that she could sleep at peace at night. She stood in awe of a Dad who truly cares for her when she began to question why He would let this happen. She responded that HE let that happen so she could experience just how big HE really is and what true brothers and sister’s in Chrst look like here on earth! Thank you for pryng and I am making a video of this so that you can see what HE did because of your faithful pryrs!!

That night, we had a group of people over to kind of celebrate Christmas together before having to leave the next day. We played some games and then told the Christmas story. As we began to ask questions, it was so cool to watch Him move among these people who truly did not know His Story. They were so hungry for His Words and to know more but because of time we had to stop the discussion. Seriously, HE is hearing your pryrs and HE is answering in huge ways. I have never seen these people I have spent the past 9 months with so hungry for His Words and wanting to understand what His Words were saying to them. It was truly beautiful! I praise Him who allows me to watch Him work miracles in my everyday life! And I thank Him for each of you who constantly pry for me and this work!!

Sunday, I say goodbye to Aida and Brody and get on a plane to head to Lima, Peru for a week long training. Ruth, Bobby, and I head out together for this training event. It was actually nice to fly with people I know as we talked, they helped me with my bag as my knee is still killing me, and we just enjoyed our time together. We arrive to Lima late that night but after we arrive in the hotel, we decided to go get Pizza Hut. My roommate Christy was there and she wanted to join us. We ate pizza, listened to what is going on in her life, and then went back to the hotel for the night.

Monday, we head out to the affinity office to begin our weeklong training. It was neat to meet new Ms, catch up with Ms we knew, and learn the first part of the oral strategy we were learning. We began by learning the Mark 5 story and connecting it to our testimony as a way of evangelizing. After lunch, they told us to divide up in twos and head out to share our testimony with the Mark 5 story at least twice each. I went out with Melissa and neither of us like to force sharing with people that we do not know. So we began to walk and pry asking Him for opening up doors for us to share naturally and with whom He had divinely appointed. We ended up walking far away from the office, knowing that the majority of the other Ms would stay around that area. We eventually arrive to this outdoor mall right on the Pacific Ocean; talk about beautiful! We continue pryng and walking when we see a group of skaters and decided to sit down. We continued pryng and Melissa asked me if we were going to go and talk to them, and I said no, we would wait and continue to pry. About 15 minutes later, one of the guys came over to us and began talking to us. As soon as he started talking, I recognized his accent. He was from Bogota, Colombia and so I called him a cachaco and he was completely shocked!

Well this of course started an amazing discussion and opened him up to receive us. We had the opportunity to hear his story, share our stories, and as he was commenting about an injury…Melissa tells him what I did for a living and so I start to evaluate his injury. Within a minute or two, I think we were surrounded by 15 or so other skaters with injuries who wanted an evaluation as well. HE is so sovereign in every step. As we left these guys (who asked us to come back the next day), we began praising Him for this appointment and asking Him to raise up a local Peruvian who would continue with these guys. I left Melissa and went to meet up with the Paul’s and Arturo (a local Peruvian who had asked us to help him with a ministry that night.) I began to share with him all that HE had done and told him he should learn to skate. He quickly responded, why Freddie who is in the training is a professional skater, a believer and has been looking for a way to start a ministry with them! Are you kidding me, DAD? That is incredible how HE had ordained all the steps to this week.  That night, I had the privilege to work with some amazing young Peruvian's who are serving Him in neat ways...it was a blessing!

Needless to say, on Tuesday morning I ran to talk to Freddie to tell him what HE had done the day before and he was so excited about what HE was going to do through this contact. That afternoon, we went out with Freddie and it was neat to watch HIM work through each of them and unite them as a group. Because I was a slacker and had not written this until now, I will just say the rest of the week was just like this first day. Divine appointment after diving appointment…watching Him work miracles as we learned and having the opportunity to put into practice what we learned each day. This was by far one of the best trainings I had been to in awhile and was excited to get home and put it into practice with my people.

I had an amazing week with Stacey and Laura. It was exactly what I needed. They arrived Saturday afternoon and because I had a stomach virus we did not go to Crepes and Waffles. We went for a walk on the beach and began our time of catching up on each other’s lives and what He has been doing for the past several months. I took them to get some street food and we just continued our catching up all night.

Sunday, I took them to the farm so that they could see everyone, enjoy club in English, and because I missed Buddy’s birthday from the day before and he specifically asked for me to be with at his party. It was an amazing day of worship. There is just something about worshipping the Creator in the midst of His creation and with a view that is breathtaking. He is Worthy to be praised and so much more! After the service, we caught up with everyone and then headed down to the Riffle’s to celebrate Buddy and eat some lunch. I just love their new house. It is such a blessing from Him and once again a reminder of His Faithfulness and Love for His children. The view is once again breathtaking and its walls are covered with Scripture. I praise Him everyday for this family and how they have taken me in as one of them. We sat, ate, talked, played, and were just a family all afternoon. It was nice for Stacey and Laura to catch up with Stacy and Mike and hear about the ministry. The highlight of this day would have to be when the youngest, Alexander called me Tia (aunt). I don’t think anyone prompted him to say it, which means so much more. I would ask him what my name was and he would say, “Ruth.” I would get mad and he thought that was funny and so it continued. Until one time he wanted my attention but wasn’t saying my name, he was calling me Tia! And now it is stuck!!

That night Stacy came back with us to relax and get away for a little while from the farm. The four of us went out to eat and just had some more amazing conversations centered on Him. We came back home and watched the first of many documentaries…that Stacey would soon to regret and write a song about!

The next morning, all four of us slept in…even Brody! We woke up, had breakfast together, quite time with Him, and then listened to a sermon on dating. Eric shows up at the house, eats lunch, and then picks up his moto and heads to the farm. We go to eat some lunch at the mall and spend more time just enjoying time together. While we were eating, I got a phone call from Susie saying that there is a pm group in Palenque and it is not safe for us to be there. I cannot tell you how my heart sunk into my stomach when I heard this news. We had some great things planned for our time together and I really wanted the girls to see first hand what He has been doing. I gave the girls the news and we pryd to seek His Will for the rest of our time together since we would have 2.5 days free now. We finished the night watching yet another documentary and discussed what it said and how we were challenged by it.

Tuesday morning, we woke up earlier, ate breakfast, had a quiet time, and the Riffle family came over to swim. We had a great time with them and the Paul’s in the pool for the morning. We leave with the Riffle’s to go eat some lunch with them and end up talking the day away in the mall. We get ready to leave and realize that it is nighttime and we have just spent the day talking and laughing. Wednesday was more of the same…time spent alone with Him, time spent together talking about Him, time eating, time playing, etc. We spent the AM with Darlys just doing what girls do best; get their nails done and talk about everything. That afternoon, we went shopping for gifts for the girls to take back to their friends and family. We ended the night, listening to another sermon and packing up bags of stuff that I was sending home with them.

Thursday, I spent some time working on seminary class work while the girls watched another documentary. We went to Centro one last time to eat lunch, get coffee, and shop. I was sad that I was leaving because it had been so nice to have friends around to love on, laugh with, talk about His Words, and just be an American. That afternoon one of the strangest things happened, they put me on a plane to Medellin. I said goodbye to my friends and they headed back to the apt to hang out for the night while I headed to begin working with a volunteer team in Medellin.

Darlys and I head out to Palenque for the week…it took us awhile to get there as my knee was killing me but we arrived. It was great to see everyone again after several weeks of being out of the village. That afternoon, we studied with Ddr, Nz, and Crn. We had a good time in His Words but there was not the hunger to study His Words like before and a lot of distractions. We headed back to the house to eat dinner before going to the local club for their service. After driving all day and walking from Ddr’s house, I decided not to leave the house as my knee was killing me. We stayed at the house and began going over the mentoring material together. That evening, we did not have electricity and so did not sleep well but spent the night pryng and reading His Words.

We get up the next morning, take showers (as we were a bit sweaty from a night of no sleep with no fans) and have the morning devotional with the girls in the house. Once again, everything was just different in the village this week. No one was excited about His Words. We head to the club for the hour of worship, and when we arrive there are not many people there but we join them. We head to meet with Krstn and Dncl at their house. When we arrive, it was just more of the same. The festival that they had been there all weekend had really affected the village. The women, families, and youth that we normally meet with were not remotely the same. They had been affected by the worship that had gone on during the festival and they had left His Word and Him out of their lives. That afternoon, Darlys and I pryd and asked for His Direction as we served Him the rest of the day. We hosted the youth in the house and decided to teach them on the Word. It was a great time where they were challenged because none of them know anything about how the Word was formed, what it says, and why they should read it. I can only pry that HE used this time to move them into the study of His Word or at least a curiosity to start.

Thursday AM, we had another devotion with the ladies in the house and HE organized a great opportunity for us to spend time with Rsr. It was a great time of her opening up to us, reading His Words, and challenging her to begin to live as HE designed her to live. We met with some other people around the village, some for the first time, and then headed around the village to pryr walk. We ended our time of pryr at Mnl’s house where we had another study in His Words with the family. It was a great time and it was a totally different atmosphere than what we experienced on Tuesday. The power of His Word and pryr…in just two short days, He began to flame the first that these people once had for Him and His Word.

On Friday, we head back to the house as my knee was hurting really bad and I didn’t have the energy to be at the farm with my friends that day. I went home and Susie was still there taking a break from the village (she had been at the apt all weekend resting.) Nasly came over to help me clean the house before my friends came. So, I bathed, took a nap, and prepared for my teaching time with the women at the local club. It was a very interesting evening as they were confronted with the cross of Chrst. They were not ready for what The Word says and demands of them in regards to the cross… as many of us are not. It was a very challenging study but they all left challenged and ready to do the homework for the next week. Ruth came by that night to tell me that Saturday was Andrew’s birthday and he had specifically asked for me to come to his birthday. I was so touched that my little nephew wanted me to come to his birthday…and he wanted sprinkles on his cake.

Saturday, I wake up with the most horrible stomach virus that I have had in awhile. Needless to say, I did not go to the farm for Andrew’s birthday, I did not have the youth over for the study, and I tried to get better and get the sheets washed for Stacey and Laura’s arrival. The girls arrived on time and it was so good to see them! We put their stuff in the apt and then headed for a walk on the beach. It was great to have friends here and to here what HE had been doing in their lives. HE painted the most beautiful sunset for the girls and I just stood in awe of Him and His masterpiece. We head back home and the girls being gracious, decided to eat some street food as I was still not up to eating anything. We spent the night just hanging out, laughing, and catching up on each other’s lives.

Sunday morning, we head out to the farm to celebrate Andrew’s birthday, go to a club where the girl’s could understand the service, and let the girls hang out with the families on the farm. It was a great morning of worship with this young club with such a passion and hunger for Him and His Glory. We played with the kids and caught up on their lives. We headed down to Mike and Stacy’s to celebrate Andrew’s birthday. It was a relaxing day just hanging out with the family and sharing life. I was still not feeling great and so took a nap for a while at the house while they all hung out. Laura and Stacey said it had been a long time since they had hung out after club with the fam at home so they enjoyed our time there. As we were leaving to go home, Mike asked me if Stacy could come back with us for some girl time. It was the first time since she had been off the farm without the family since they arrived in Colombia last year. We were excited to have a girl’s night together and just time in His Word.

Monday, all of us slept in and when we finally woke up we spent time in His Words and listening to a sermon. It was neat to hear how HE used that sermon to challenge each of us in different areas. We head to eat lunch at about 4:00pm at the mall, where I once again get sick and realize that I am still not feeling up to eating normal food.  Susie calls me and tells me that we cannot go to Palenque this week because of some security reasons. Stacey and Laura were so disappointed but we all know He is sovereign and knows best. We decided to make the best of the situation and plan some things to do Tuesday- Thursday. Stacy stays another night and we decide to watch a documentary together. It was an amazingly relaxing day…minus the stomach problems.

Tuesday, we wake up earlier this AM and spent time with HIM Mike and the kids come early to go swimming in the pool. We had a great time just hanging out with the family and being together. We go to the mall with the family to spend more time together and then eat lunch ourselves (at like 3:00pm…I think we are truly Colombian!) We spend the next 3 hours just talking about different convictions in our lives; different Truths HE is using to transform us, and just being silly. I SO needed this time with friends who know me and love me and love Him. We head back home for yet another documentary and some popcorn. I had already seen this documentary and so I was working on some seminary class work. It was funny to listen to them as they were convicted by so much during these documentaries. It became really funny, as Stacey states she has to quit her job, can’t watch TV or movies, and now has too much time on her hands. It was funny.

Wednesday, we spent another morning in His Words and just being together. Darlys came over and did our nails as we relaxed by the pool. We head to Centro to celebrate Stacey’s birthday at Crepes. Yet again, we spend several hours just talking and being us. We walked around Centro to find presents for the girls to give away when it started raining and we went inside a little boutique to escape the rain. This turned into a great time of trying on clothes that we would actually buy and clothes that just made me laugh. When the rain had stopped, all the street vendors had left and so we went home to hang out some more. I started packing; we listened to another sermon, and spent time just talking again.

Thursday was another morning like the other mornings, time along with Him and time together being us. We went back to Centro for lunch, a little coffee, a little shopping, and then it was time for me to leave. This was the first time that my friends from the states took me to the airport and then stayed in Cartagena. I had to leave to translate for a volunteer team coming in to Medellin and so, they took me to the airport and we said goodbye. It was sad to leave them as it really felt like we were together just 2 days but it was truly a blessing! I am so blessed to have such amazing friends who pry for this work and me and are willing to take off work to come and just love on me. HE is so gracious and merciful. He always gives us what we need at just the right time. I think all three of us needed this time together with HIM and together. We all were challenged and sanctified into His likeness.

Thanks for coming girls…you have no idea how much you two mean to me! This was a great time for us to just be together. I am sorry that we were not able to go to Palenque but it will happen, Stacey! Please continue to pry for the security issues in Palenque and for the spiritual lives of each of the Palenqueros. Pry that HE will open doors for us to go into the village next week, ask for a new hunger for His Truths in their lives, and that HE will continue to move amongst them as we wait for His Timing to return to the village.

Recap of life as a cripple:

I have spent 3 weeks not doing too much outside of spending time with Him, pryng for Palenque and the ministry, therapy for my knee, walking with my dog, sharing His Truths with those I meet on my walks, mentoring the women and youth in Cartagena, and catching up with my seminary classes. It has been a very interesting 3 weeks but HE has provided opportunities for me to rest in Him, learn more about Him, share His gospel with others, and love those around me. Does my knee hurt? Yes, absolutely. Do I trust that HE is in control of the entire situation no matter how illogical my injury is, YES absolutely! Please pry as I seek His Will for the next step for my healing, as I am quite immobile and in pain.

In these 3 weeks, I have had the opportunity to share the gospel with two Mormon ladies on the beach, which has challenged me to meet people where they are and not bombard them with the Truths that I know they are ignoring and living a lie. HE told me to take some money with me one day as I left to walk Brody and at first was disobedient but later took the money and waited for Him to direct my paths. HE lead me to a small beauty shop that I had never seen before where 3 women were just waiting for this divine appointment. As one of them gave me a manicure, I listened to them answer all of my questions about their lives, families, beliefs, etc. Then I felt it, the nudge from the HS when they opened the door to share the gospel. We spent 2 hours talking all about different doctrines, answering their questions with His Word, and talking about His Plan for marriage…all without interruptions. It was as if HE had placed His Angels in front of the door and did not permit anyone to interfere with this appointment. After we finished talking, they asked me when I would come back to finish talking as two of them were interested but one was not remotely interested in what we were talking about. So, I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed the next day. I went back, they did not just trim my hair but they chopped a good 5 inches off my hair, no decisions made but there questions were answered. They had the basics, a copy of His Words, my phone number, and 5 inches of my hair. I loved on a young girl getting married from the local club I attend by doing her make-up, driving her to the wedding, organizing her wedding party, gave her last minute marriage counseling, and pryd over her to calm her nerves as she waited to walk down the aisle. I watched as HE connected the dots in the lives of the youth through His Words and challenged their way of thinking. I watched as HE used His Words to make women think about who they were in Him, to understand the fact that HE chose them and they did not choose Him Although some of these women walked out of our first session, they have since returned and are being confronted by His Truths and I can just pry that HE allows them to transform His Life. I had a meeting with the new pastor and his wife to offer my help with starting to teach the club how to make disciples and to begin this process at the local club. I have been challenged by my seminary classes in incredible ways and have enjoyed sharing what I have been learning with the nationals. I have been able to continue to mentor the two Colombian women each week and watch as they begin to allow Him to build their foundation on biblical truths and not their culture. And He did all of this with my bum knee…

So you may wonder why I have not updated this in 3 weeks...it is because I am disobedient yet again. I have not gone to Palenque in the past three weeks because I have torn my popliteal tendon and lateral meniscus on me left knee. I have not been able to move very easily and so driving a stick, is pretty painful.

I don't know why I thought that I should not update you on what HE has been doing here. I suppose I thought that because I was not actually in Palenque that I was not really working...silly me. I have continued teaching the youth in Romans on Saturdays, the women at the local club on Fridays how to be women, the youth at the local club in Sunday school just basic doctrine, and have been sharing His gospel message with anyone HE allows me to. Not to mention, I have been working hard in my seminary classes learning SO MUCH and just finished my two midterm exams this past week. So, HE HAS BEEN WORKING!! 

I am leaving now to go to Palenque but will be updating you on just some highlights later today from what HE did during these three weeks of being a cripple. Please continue to pry for my knee and pry for this week in Palenque.

Another week, walking behind Him and watching Him work in miraculous ways. I am beginning to think that each week here in Palenque and Cartagena will not look the same. I am not sure why this is but I have accepted it and rest in Him to order each of my steps. Please join me in asking the HS to help me obediently go where He sends me, speak His Words that He gives me, and sit in His Presence when He commands it; no matter how illogical it may seem to me at the time. Ask that I will not worry or think about what others might think but just concern myself with what My Father thinks y ya.

Tuesday, I talked to Krstn and Dncl who I was suppose to meet with that morning. They told me that they had to leave and would not be able to meet with me and so I stayed at home. I watched several classes, completed a couple of assignments and tried to organize my week to be able to give 100% to Him through my seminary classes. I packed up the car, ate some lunch, and we headed out to Palenque. Darlys is not with me this week because she is in Cali taking two classes to complete her class in missions. Praise Him for providing her transportation and money to buy food while there through some faithful servants. Usually, I use this 2-hour drive to work through some mentoring materials with Darlys, we pry to ask for His goals for the week, and organize our ideas together how to be obedient in what He has called us to do. Since she was not with me, I took advantage of the time to do something I know my mom would never think I would do…listen to a book on tape. I know, for years I made fun of her and my sister for listening to books on tape when we went on trips. I know see their wisdom and was thankful that He had allowed me to purchase Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper on CD. It was a great time just allowing Him to challenge me through the words of this gifted speaker. If you haven’t read this book, I would recommend it or really anything that Piper has written or preached.

I arrive in Palenque and head to Ddr’s house for our weekly study. It was a great time with her and to hear more about what decision that they had made about their son Js and another family’s daughter, Crn. We pryd together and I will continue to support them and help them in anyway I can. These families do not know anything about parenting but I am thankful that HE has surrounded me with amazing families and placed me in the best family to learn from them and His Words. I am pryng about doing a workshop for the parents here in Palenque but think I will prepare a workshop on marriage first and then teach on parenting using His Words. That evening I went to the local club service and had the opportunity to speak to most of the youth and just see how they were doing. I enjoy having all of them in one place and just going from youth to youth to see how their week was. Even Zn came to the club tonight, sat down right beside me, and laid her head on my shoulder. Pry for wisdom as I try to be her friend and lead her in the study of His Words.

That night, we received an amazing blessing. As usual, it was extremely hot in Palenque and I was sweating like I normally do…just sitting, not exercising. We had not had water for 3 days and were completely dry in the house. HE gave us water that night and water with enough pressure that I was able to take a real shower before going to bed. I don’t think I have ever felt so fresh in my time here. It was such an undeserved blessing but I praise HIM for it as it helped me sleep better and take the edge off the headache I had.

Wednesday, as Brody and I went for a walk that morning, HE told me to just sit in His Presence in the morning and then HE would give me His To Do List for the day. So after the morning devotional with Hrln and Neusa, I just sat with Him and allowed Him to give me strength and wisdom for the day. I left the house to meet up with Ktln who was in the club pryng. We spent some time in pryr for Palenque, for the families of the local club, and His direction for our morning. We left the club and headed to a woman’s house named Btrc. She lives at the very top of barrio arriba and we were at the very entrance of barrio abajo. As we walked and pryd, He lead us to stop and to visit various women along the way and introduced me to more women in the village. HE has placed in Ktln and myself, a desire to unite the women who live close to each other and have a weekly study of His Words. We believe that these women need to have community amongst themselves and a people to go to when they need pryr, encouragement, or accountability. Please ask that HE will continue to show us who He has chosen and that HE will open their hearts and place this desire in them to meet together.

When we finally arrived at Btrc’s house, we were hot and tired but I was excited to meet yet another woman. As she shared things with us, HE gave me the opportunity to learn more about this culture I am serving and living in. She shared that she believed in Him but had gone to a witch to please her husband when a spirit was tormenting her. Through this, I learned more about the practice of witchcraft here and in other towns around Palenque. It was neat to hear them openly and honestly share these things with me and how HE used this knowledge to open my eyes to more opportunities to use His Words to correct their ways of thinking. She was hungry for the Word and was excited when I asked her to pry about meeting weekly with a group of women. Please pry for Btrc. Her man is not a believer but is searching. She told me that he had told her not be ashamed to read The Word in front of him or pry if she truly believed in HIM, she should do what she believes in this house with confidence.  Are you serious? A non-believer challenging a believer to read His Words, talk about His Words, and pry with him. Praise HIM for preparing and cultivating the soil of his heart to receive His Seek of Truth. Ask that HE will strengthen Btrc in her faith and that she will bolding proclaim the Truths that she understands in her home and that HE will save this house. Proclaim the words of Paul that through her, her husband will be saved.

We head back to the house, eat some lunch, and Ktln leaves the house to go to the sewing workshop that a local university is leading here in Palenque. I spent some time reading and studying for my seminary class and then headed out to pryr walk through the street where Krstn and Dncl live. Bobby calls me while I am out and tells me that he is coming to Palenque today. I had asked him months ago to pry about coming and teaching some of the men His Words and Truths and he had decided to come and help today. We go to Dncl and Krstn’s house and Bobby and Dncl began to share with each other. Krstn, Rs, and a neighbor and I began to share about different things. Earlier, both Dncl and Krstn had asked me individually for a Word like mine because they had difficulties understanding the KJV that they had. Praise Him for the obedience of a club from the states, who purchased and sent a couple of boxes of The Word for me to use in Palenque. If you could have seen the face on Krstn when I gave her this Book, she started to cry and as she read the Words and understood them more clearly, she could not stop her tears. She had told me about one of the sweets she makes to sell that she had burned earlier that day and how Dncl did not get mad but just hugged her and told her it would be okay. She was still struggling with this and not knowing where they would get the money to buy more ingredients to make these to sell on Friday. So HE took me to James chapter 1 to share with Krstn. The most incredible thing happened right before I asked her to read, she bowed her head to ask for the HS to give her wisdom and insight to His Words. She had listened to what I had said months before and was putting it into practice! HE is so faithful! It was incredible to watch her read verse by verse and as we talked, she truly understood and was able to apply The Truth to her life. I praise Him for His Truths, for the gift of His Truths, and how It’s Power changes people’s lives.

We left; I walked Bobby to his car, and then went to eat some dinner. As I was eating, Ddr called me to ask if I knew where her boys were and me, being the smart one, told her that they were probably at their girlfriend’s house. She asked me to go get them and send them home and I obediently did what she asked. I told the boys to go home and then HE opened up the door for me to hear this side of the family’s story to the problem in between their children. I was able to encourage, correct, and love them as I listened to them share with me all about this problem. I asked if they pryd as a family each night, read His Words together each day and they responded no. I offered to help them start this and they were so excited that they immediately wanted to start. So we sat and pryd as a family and I am excited to see where HE will lead us during this time. Please pry for Frnd and Omd as they show His Love to their 6 girls and seek His Wisdom to guide and discipline their children. Ask that He will restore the relationship between Crn and her mom, as she does not like to be told what to do and whom she can and cannot see. Ask for patience for me as I teach and love this family and serve as a mediator.  Ask that His Name will be glorified through this family in this village.

Thursday, I woke up sweating and knew that today was going to be a long day. As I walked with Brody, I just asked for His Wisdom over my day and still asked that I would be focused on Him than what others say to me.  After the morning devotional, I went to have some quiet time with Him. Today in my study, I was challenged to praise HIM for all of His Attributes that I read in James chapter 1. Then I was directed to just sit in His Presence and wait for Him to speak to me. It was such a peaceful silence (even with the kids from the school in this house screaming.) He shared many things that I had been waiting to hear, He answered many questions, and confirmed me in what I am doing. I am so silly that I do not do that enough; just sit in His Presence and wait for Him to speak to me. He gave me permission to work more on my classes and I finished one of the many required readings and started on a report for the class. He then directed me to go to Ktln’s house to spend some time with her and it was such a sweet time of sharing together. While I was there, her nieces and daughter came home and we spent some time together. I praise HIM for opening Zn’s heart to me and that I am getting to know her cousins. I pry for more opportunities to share with them and for Him to open up their hearts to me.

I came back home, ate lunch, and was just reading another book for another class when Rs came to the house. She came looking for something but HE had ordained this divine appointment. We talked for a while and then HE moved us to talk about His Words. We began to read and study together and it was neat to watch her understand different parts of the text just by different questions that HE lead me to ask. After we finished the study for today, I gave her homework and we scheduled to meet next week to continue to study His Words. I praise Him for divine appointments! Susie came back to the house and we had a chance to sit and share. I was able to listen and encourage her and we just shared life, as we had not been together for many months. It was great to see her and be under the same roof again. While we were talking, it began to rain. We had planned a bonfire for this evening to celebrate their “valentines day” which is called the day of love and friendship. I called Ddr to ask her what she wanted to do, as she had offered her house to host us and she said that we should postpone it until next week. As I began to call the youth to tell them that we were canceling the activity, here came Zn and her two cousins into the house to escape the rain. I was so excited to hear Him responding so fast to my pryrs earlier that day.

About the same time that the girl’s arrived, Bobby and Caleb arrived. I was just sitting and chatting with the girls and starting to get to know them. Bobby began to share the several stories from His Word and the gospel with them. He shared for over an hour and when he stopped the rain had stopped and the girls were ready to go. I was sad that I didn’t get to spend some time with them but trust in His Sovereignty and hope that His Words will be planted in their lives and stir up more questions and desires within them. Bobby, Caleb and I went to Mnl’s house to take them a washing machine and so that Bobby could get to know Mnl. We had a great time of just sharing with the family. After awhile, I walked home with Brody and we finished the day in pryr at the house with the girls in the house. It was a great day, once again not what I would have expected but still full of blessings.

Not sure if I shared this, but The Paul’s have accepted a new job in Buenos Aires, Argentina and are waiting to hear when they can move. It can be as soon as 2 weeks or later in November. I am very excited that they will be moving into a position that Bobby feels lead to do in a big city, working with professionals. They will be responsible for connecting the clubs in the states to the clubs and work in Buenos Aires. Please be in pryr for them as they plan to move, transition to a new culture, and are surrounded by a new team. Ask that HE will be sovereign over the entire process and that HE will give them the date that HE wants them to leave. It is hitting me now that they are leaving after such a long time of pryng for where HE wanted them. I am sad to loose a family but so excited for how HE will glorify Himself through them in this new job.

Friday was a great day on the farm and in His Words. We are studying through the book of James with Kay Arthur and I love it. It is very challenging and moving our women’s study to a deeper level as we are forced to get into His Word more. Julie wasn’t with us today but the three of us had a great time of reflection and realizing that we like to know the answers but since we are challenged to let The Word interpret The Word, we are just waiting to be shown. Stacy’s parents were in town and it was nice to meet them. Please pry that HE will give Mike and Stacy boldness and an open door to share the gospel with her parents who are lost. Ask that HE will protect their time together and that it will be a blessing for everyone. Ask that the parent’s will have a face-to-face encounter with Him. I also had the opportunity to talk with Luis Fernando about things he has been doing with the local clubs and he asked me to join him in helping these clubs get outside of their 4 walls. I am excited about this opportunity to help him and the local clubs. When I arrived home, I unpacked, showered, and laid down for a little rest before studying and preparing for Saturday.

Saturday morning, I had a great time in James and just focusing on verses 2-4 and what I need to learn from Him in these verses. It was a great time. Luz came at her normal time but still had not located the Experiencing Him study and so we just talked about what she had been learning in His Words, pryd together, and I answered her questions. The youth arrive, late as usual, and it was a great time studying with them. He is confronting them with His Truths in a really neat way and asking me to leave them there, no matter how uncomfortable it is for them. They were all stuck on the fact that Paul says that those without the Law will still be judged which goes back to chapter one where we are told that all are without excuse. It is very tough to accept after years of being told that He wants everyone to be saved and HE needs us to share His Truths. We finished the study and celebrated their Valentine’s day together. I left them at my house waiting for Julie, who was coming to rest at the house for a couple of days and headed to the club to teach the women. I was disappointed at the fact that only one young lady showed up but there were a bunch of older women, which I am sure HE designed for His Time with them. I had planned to start the study with them but HE kept bringing me back to His gospel message and starting with it. I did not understand but after the first session with these ladies, I completely understand that they do not have any idea what the True Gospel message is and needed this refresher course. They needed to be confronted with His Truths and how they had wandered away from them because they were uncomfortable. It was an interesting time but a time where His Name was glorified.

I came back home completely exhausted as these women had taken all my brainpower to focus first on their Spanish and second what they were saying. I had two women leave the discussion because I showed them in His Words where He does not need us. They were convinced that He needed us and could not get away from this fact that I was telling the women that He did not need us. Praise HIM that I was using His Words and not mine but at any rate, I was exhausted. I made some veggies, chatted with Julie for a minute, and then had a skype date with Bekah. It was great to see her face and hear her heart after the passing of her father. She shared the song she wrote for him with me and we spent time just talking, pryng, and studying His Words. When I got off the call with her, I was physically, spiritually, and emotionally spent but had to get on my knees and praise Him for all that He did in this one short day! What a Father!!

Sunday was another day in the club with the youth in SS. For the first time in the service, I was in agreement with the sermon from the pastor. He was preaching Truth and not watered down Truth but teaching his sheep from His Words. It was neat and I praised Him for answering my pryrs about this pastor and rising him up. That afternoon, the family came over to celebrate their Valentine’s Day at the house. We ate, played games, and just spent time together in family all afternoon. That evening I had the opportunity to skype with the youth from GHBC, all 4 of them but it was good to hear what is going on in the club at home. After our conversation, I went for a walk with Brody and was alerted to my knee that had been bothering me for two days but I just figured it was muscle soreness from running or lunges. As I was walking, the pain became more intense and I notice a large ball behind my knee. I went home, iced it, and tried to study for my seminary classes. I am sure that it is nothing and just old age.

HE did a lot this week…incredible what HE does when we completely trust Him and allow Him to move. I will tell you that I am exhausted but it has been such an incredible week with Him that I cannot wait to see what HE has planned for next week!

So I haven’t had Internet for awhile but it has not been fixed and there should be less difficulties for me to update all of you on what HE is doing down here in South America.

Well not to be too general but just to say PRAISE HIM for His faithfulness and steadfast love. HE is moving in some incredible ways and all we have to do is watch and give Him the glory! We are learning to be ready in and out of season to proclaim His Truths, as there is not a day that looks like the other in my life right now. This is challenging but also rewarding as I have such a peace that only comes from Him for each of my day’s to do lists. I know that HE is going to show me exactly what HE wants me to do each day, HE is going to do exactly what HE wants to do each day, and HE will glorify His Name amongst all people.

A friend that I went to Guatemala with came to visit me with her husband last week. They arrived on Thursday night and so Darlys and I came in early from Palenque so that I could pick them up.  Mandy served as a Jman in Peru for a year and a half and she met Jim, who was a volunteer working in Peru. They returned to the states last year and were married in December. They currently live in Florida where Jim is a youth leader and Mandy has a part-time job. They were so excited to be back in South America and chose to come here instead of Cozumel for vacation!

On Friday, we head out to the farm for our women’s study and time with the kids. It was so great for both Jim and Mandy to be amongst women and men who believe the same things and are living out their faith. We finished up the Lies book with the women and it was great to see how HE had identified different lies in each of our lies and the Truth HE had given us to combat those lies. HE really has united the four of us during this study and it was refreshing for Mandy to be around women who are in love with Our Dad. Jim also had an opportunity to spend some time with Mike and just share their life experiences. Of course we had time with the kids and time to just be silly.

We left the farm and went to Aida’s house where she had prepared a typical Cartagena lunch for Mandy and Jim. She got to meet my Colombian adopted family, eat some amazing food, and just experience the culture here. There was a futbol game on and so they really were able to experience all of coastal life. After several hours, we head back to the apt and allow them to rest.

Saturday AM, we each spent our alone time with HIM and just rested in His Words. Mandy and Jim both commented that it had been a long time since they just sat and read a lot in His Word. Praise Him, for giving them the opportunity to rest in HIM. That afternoon, Luz Mercy came for our discipleship time. We had a great time of sharing, reading, and pryr. Please join us in pryr as to where He wants us to read/study during this time He has ordained together. The youth came to the house for our Romans study and we had an excellent discussion. It was neat to watch them looking for answers in His Words and not just relying on commentaries or people to give them the answer. Mandy and Jim were glad to be apart of this study as they saw Him working in youth’s lives here in Cartagena. That night, I took them to the Old City. We walked on the wall, ate at Crepes, and walked around the city.

Sunday, we headed to the local club. They were able to share with the youth in the Sunday school class and experience a Colombian service. Oh and they were able to experience the heat that we have each and every Sunday. We went to eat lunch, rest, and then took them to Bocagrande to see the nice part of the city. The best thing about this day was just our conversations that we had together, with the youth, with the people of the club, etc. HE was in the middle of everything we did and we were blessed because of it.

Monday, I took them to Playa Blanca to experience the beautiful beaches and once again, HE ordained some time to share His Truths together and to the people on the island. It was a blessing. While we were at the beach, I received a phone call from Ddr telling me that I needed to pry for her family. Her son had spent the night out with another teen from the local club. They did not know what to do as the father of the girl was extremely mad and asking for the two to get married or for their family to pay them. It was an extremely delicate situation that Jim, Mandy and I took before Him as we prepared how to be used in this family.

Tuesday, we packed up and headed to Palenque. When we arrived, we went to Krstn’s house to learn how to make one of the coconut treats that the Palenqueras are famous for making. While we were there, we were able to share some of His Stories and then HE lead Jim to share with the 5 people in the house. It was neat to watch Him work amongst the lives of these people in the house, opening up opportunities to share Truth and allow His Spirit to change them. That afternoon, we went to Mnl and Ddr’s house expecting to just pry for Ddr because she was not feeling well. When we arrived, surprisingly we found the entire family home and HE led Jim to share with the family a story from His Word. It was neat to watch how the two guys and Mnl were completely different with Jim there. They opened up and were very interested in listening to His Truths. It was a huge praise and just drove me to my knees, asking for Him to send a man to this village. We went back to the house to give Jim time to prepare for his teaching that night, and to just rest. It was extremely hot and the heat just sucks the life out of you. That night, Jim had the opportunity to teach/preach in the local club and HE truly used Jim to challenge these people. And we had an amazing time of worship, allowing Mandy and Jim to see how the Palenqueros worship.

Wednesday, we wake up after an extremely hot night and seeing that neither Jim nor Mandy slept very well and were tired. Mandy led our AM devotional and then we each spent time alone in His Words while we waited for Ktln to come to the house. Ktln arrives and we just sit and allow Mandy and Jim to share their lives with Ktln. We pry and then head out to visit a woman in the village whom HE had placed on Ktln’s heart to visit today. Darlys went back to Krstn’s house while Jim, Mandy, Ktln and I went to Mr’s house. What a divine appointment. We began by just listening to her, sharing His Truths with her, and then something incredible happens. As Jim is describing faith to the women, Ktln’s eyes began to twinkle…she finally got it. Something that we had been talking about and reading about for months, HE opened up her heart to understand that faith comes from Him. It was so great to see her understand this Truth and then watch her teach it to Mr. It was incredible to watch Him use Ktln to teach on faith to Mr and for Mr to come closer to understanding. WOW…what an incredible morning!

After lunch, Zn came over for help with her English, which takes about 2 hours and gives me a chance to share more of His Truths with her. While I was working with Zn, Darlys, Jim and Mandy spend time in His Words. When Zn and I finished, I reminded her to come to the House of Words, to bring her friends, and her brother with her. She started to refuse but then I reminded her of the 2 hours we just spent doing her homework and she said she would see me later. We head out to visit a couple more people in the village and then come back to the house. When we arrive, Susie (the YWAM M) came back and Jynr is also at the house. Darlys and I began to ask Jynr what he had planned for the activity tonight and for some reason he said because Susie was there that he wasn’t going to do what he had planned. Well, HE had already shared with me what HE wanted to do during the House of Words and so I had the youth ask Mandy and Jim any question they wanted to know. Of course they wanted to know about the USA, how they met, and their relationship. About the time that Jim was sharing their story, Zn walks in with 6 of her friends, her brother and 3 of his friends. I was praising HIM for His Faithfulness in bringing all of them.

As they listened to Jim and Mandy’s story of meeting, being friends, pryng, and getting married, you could tell the youth truly did not understand. So we asked what is different about their story than the normal way of life in Palenque. Well, HE took that question and opened up hard hearts to share all kinds of things. Using Zn’s older brother, he shared the normal way people get together and get married. Then through another question, he began to share about the hurt he feels because of the normal way of life in Palenque. His father has two different families and he shared how it hurts for his dad to spend more time with the other family then him. From there, the flood gates opened as each youth shared about their home life and the hurt they feel. We were able to connect all of this pain back to His Plan for marriage, which looks like Jim and Mandy’s story. Jim challenged the guys to be men and not fall into the same trap as their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, etc. It was a huge break through in the lives of these youth. Zn’s brother, his friends, and her friends had never come before and were the ones who share the most. Even though the electricity went out, a huge storm blew in, these distractions did not mess with what HE had planned for this evening. Due to the heat, lack of electricity, and other circumstances, we decided to head back to Cartagena late Wednesday night.

Thursday was a great day of just being together again, running Mandy and Jim’s last minute errands, showing them more of the city, and just being in His Presence. It was so great to have the two of them here and the fellowship that we had together. I loved serving alongside of them and sharing life with them. HE is so good.

Friday, I took them to the airport and then headed to the farm. We arrived and to our surprise all the kids were there because they did not have school. It was so great to see all of them and hear about their lives. Julie had some errands to run, so it was just the three of us for the first week of James. It was a great time of discussion between the three of us and Stacy shared some new events in their lives. There are possibly 4 children (whose parents are drug addicts and use the kids to sell their drugs) and 2 orphan boys that might be coming to the farm. Stacy shared that she and Mike felt a peace about having the 4 children (ages 7-2) in their home as a part of their family. Wow, from 7 to 11 people in the family! They really felt a peace if these kids were to come that they were to be a part of their family, to live with them, she would home school them, and raise them as their own. The two boys would move into the boy’s room at the main house and probably go to school like the other kids. They were going to go on Saturday to the island to meet the kids and see what HE has planned.

As she shares all of this, we finish talking about the first chapter of James talking about pure and true religion is visiting orphans and widows and not being stained/polluted by the world. HE began to convict me of all kinds of things in my life. HE started asking me if I would be willing to give up everything, and move onto the farm to be a house parent to a house of orphans, work at the club plant with women, and help evangelize this small town. I sat and just processed what HE was saying. I stayed there all day long, thinking and processing and confessing sin to Him. I realized HE was convicting me of not pryng enough for these beautiful people that HE has brought into my life and not asking me to move but seeing if I would be willing. The rest of the day, I washed clothes, cleaned the house, and did school work.

Then Ruth comes over and shares some more exciting news with me. It looks like they will be moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina to take a new job with the board. What a praise! Unfortunately, they will be moving sooner than later and I will once again be alone but I am so excited for them and this new opportunity. The job is perfect for this family, they have spoken to the other team members, and they really feel His Hand over the entire situation. So, now I must take advantage of the time I have left with this great family that He has allowed me to be a part of for a couple of years. Praise Him for His faithfulness and steadfast love.

Saturday was another great day serving Him. Luz and I had an amazing time of pryr and study in His Words. She has felt called to go and live and work on the farm. She wanted to go without the permission of her parent’s and so we have been pryng for several weeks now as she waits to ask for their permission. This past week her father said it was okay for her to stop studying accounting in college and focus more on what she feels that HE is calling her to do! Praise Him for answering our pryrs! The Romans study with the youth was once again, incredible. HE is using His Words to challenge them in so many ways and I love to be there to watch it. It is a privilege to be used to teach them how to study His Words and to drink deeply when they do read His Words. I love how He is moving these youth’s heart to Him and forming them once again into a team for His glory. It really has been a great week of watching Him answer pryrs miraculously, work in crazy ways, connect Truths in marvelous ways, and time to rest in Him.

Thank you for pryng for me and for the work here.

 Monday was a day full of checking off my to do list and trying to organize my schedule so that I can give 100% to every aspect of my life right now. I did everything from grocery shopping, getting the vehicle fixed, paying bills, filling out reports for work, updating my website, working on papers and reading books for school, and of course discipling some of the youth in Cartagena. It was a busy day but I pry that HE was glorified in all of it.

Tuesday, I head out to Palenque sola because Darlys had some work to do for her university and she did not finish the projects over the weekend. I arrive, unpack, eat some lunch, and then head over to Ddr’s house for some time in His Word together. She is the co-pastor’s wife of the local club and asked me to come and teach her how to study His Word. I sat and listened to her tell of how she met HIM, how she fell in love, and what her life has been like since that day. It was so refreshing to my soul to hear a true salvation story and not just some fluff that I have been use to hearing here. She has a deep desire to fall deeper in love with Him and so we decided to do the study “Restore My Heart.” This is the study that compares our love life with Chrst to the Jewish wedding. It was neat to watch Him reveal different aspects of how she learns, what impacts her where she is from a worldview standpoint, and where He desires to take her. When we finished the study, I told her that the objective was for her to learn this material so that she could teach other women in the club this information. She was so excited about the fact that she could teach other women and we even brainstormed about starting with a group of young girls from the club and teach it together. Who knows what HE has planned! She is excited and I love that! The pastor of the local club was in the village and came to Ddr’s house. It was good to hear from him and encourage him. In our conversation, he asked if I would be willing to teach like a women’s seminary course – basically a weekend retreat for the women of the club and village. He said that the women of the village had asked for something like this and asked if I would do it and they would provide all the materials and the place for the retreat! Man, HE is opening doors right and left!!

I leave Ddr’s house to run home, use the restroom, and head to Nz’s  for more time to study His Words. I arrive at Nz’s house and she is not there – so I head back home and Jynr meets me at the gate. He comes in, I listen to his what is going on in his life, and he too asks me if I will teach Him how to study His Word. WHAT? These people are coming out from everywhere to ask me to teach them His Word…of course I will. So we set up a time on Wednesday and I head back out to see if Nz is home. Sure enough she is and the house is full of people. I just sit and watch this culture in action. Her neighbor had died and they began the 9-day celebration that is typical for their culture. I asked lots of questions to lots of people that were coming in and out of the house. HE brought so many people to me and they were very honest with their answers. It was neat to watch Him work as when I ask the question why they do what they do, none of them could give me a reason. When I asked them if they thought it was important to know the reasons behind what you do, some blew me off and others sat and pondered my question. Who knows what HE will do in them but I pry for their salvation. Finally Nz calms down, shares me about her life, and then we shut the front door (a huge no no in the Palenquero culture because it is considered rude when you are in the house) but she did not want any distractions as we began to study His Words. It was neat to watch the HS unfold His Truths to her in a new way and listening to her repeat His Truths over and over; each time coming closer to a true understanding of what HE was telling her brought joy in my heart!

We finish late; I did not go to my other engagement and head home to listen to Hrln. She has been very closed with me but tonight she shared so much with me and actually asked my opinion about several different things. HE had prepared me months before for these questions and the answers I gave her, were none other than His Words. We finished talking; I head to shower, and then try to go to sleep. The heat seems to be getting worse and worse…to the point that even the Palenqueros are complaining about how hot it is!

Wednesday AM comes way to early for me as I am not feeling well (sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache, and slight fever) and really did not sleep due to a party going on all night and the heat. Brody and I head out for our morning job, which turned into a walk as my head was killing me and I was physically exhausted. I felt like I had been beaten up all night and had 10lb weights on my eyelids. Hrln did not want to have a morning devo because she had lots of work to do, so I spent some extra time on my knees with My Saviour. I get ready to go to meet up with Ktln, when she tells me that she is busy and cannot meet to study language, His Word, and visit some women. I just change directions and head to Krstn’s house, who is not there either. I ask HIM where He wants me and I head back home. HE gave me the AM to finish reading a book for my class and start on the paper that is due on Friday. I praise HIM for this time and the last 3 chapters of this book were exactly the same things HE has been teaching me in Romans 14 and 15 this week.

After lunch, I wait for Jynr to arrive to study and to help me set up for the movie we are showing tonight at the house. I wait for 2 hours and nothing…he doesn’t show. Not only does he not show, but also the power goes out and it is SO HOT. I try to study and work on my paper but this heat was too much. So, I head out to make a virtual pryr walk video that our affinity pry strategist asked me to make and send to Peru next week. As I was walking and pryng for His guidance, HE brought so many people that crossed my path and asked all sorts of questions. As I sat on the porch of one ladies house, her questions lead me to share the gospel message with her. She did not accept but invited me back to her house next week for some juice and more talks. After about 2 hours, I look down at poor Brody who is painting and exhausted and we head back to the house. I began to set up for the movie night and still have not seen Jynr. The youth begin to arrive and here comes Jynr – apologizing for not coming and we reschedule.

We had a good number of youth come to watch the movie. I showed “How To Save A  Life” and thought it would be good for all youth as it talks about all kinds of different struggles that all youth have. And as we are debriefing over the movie, I had a cultural experience that I never imagined in all my life. When I asked what impacted them the most from the movie, two girls began screaming and yelling about how horrible it was that they just gave their baby away. In this culture, girls at 12, 13, 14 years of age have children and it is a privilege. For them to think about giving their baby up for adoption is the worst thing in the world. It was something that I had not expected but HE showed me where their thinking is and how their culture has truly impacted them. It was quite a long day of cancelations but filled with His Blessings!

The heat only got worse on Thursday and it was seriously unbearable. In the AM, Hrln wanted to have the devotional together and through this devotional, she stated she wanted to study the book of Romans. I told her I would be glad to study it with her or at least give her a guide in how to study. She was interested and I praise HIM for this because she has been so cold and distant with me. Later Ktln arrived to pry and go and visit our women in the village. She shared with me that her drug addict brother had been beating on their mother and that their sister and her daughters were scared to stay in the same house. So the four girls have been sleeping on the floor at Ktln’s house and this AM, the drug addict brother left and no one knows where he is. He has left his mom all-alone, who is 79 years old and Ktln asked that we pry for her family and their situation. So I ask that you pry for the salvation of Ktln’s family and that HE will give her wisdom as she shines His Light and loves with His Love her sister and nieces who will be staying with her. We spent some time in pryr over a lot of different things. I love this woman and her heart for HIM. It is absolutely beautiful to sit and just listen to her pry with such passion and adoration for her Savior! We head out to visit two different groups of women and the first group was not around because several were sick or traveling. So we head up, in the HOT HOT HOT sun to the upper neighborhood and meet with the second group of women. It was a great time of sharing with each other and His Word. I pry that HE continue to unite us as we spend more and more time together and HE begins to form His body amongst them!

We come back to the house, drenched in sweat and I prepare some lunch for the two of us. We eat, the women leave for a sewing workshop they do in the afternoons, and HE gave me the opportunity to take a shower…a real shower…with water coming out of the wall and everything! The water had come and it was so amazing to finally feel a little bit of coolness! HE always gives us just what we need and then HE sent some clouds and a slight breeze (yep that is right, a breeze in Palenque) to cool the afternoon off. I spent a couple of hours working on a paper that is due on Friday for a seminary class and then began the blessings. First, Jynr came to the house for us to study His Word together. It was so neat to hear how the movie from the night before and this chapter in The Word had challenged him. He was very excited about the homework I gave him and actually enjoyed looking up other passages to help us understand what we were reading. I was very encouraged as he left with a smile and a huge hug of gratitude for helping him learn to study His Word. From there, Brody and I walk for about 30 minutes to get to the farm of the co-pastor’s house. We arrive late but the entire family was waiting for us. The time spent with them was nothing less than a blessing from HIM! It was so amazing to feel His Presence amongst us and watch their eyes light up as HE connected His Truths for them in their lives. They were so excited that I had come to teach them how to study His Word that they did not want me to leave but just to continue working. Unfortunately, I had to go to Ktln’s house to start a small group at her house. And that was yet another blessing!! There was Ktln and myself with 6 young people and her little son who is 6. I told the story of creation and challenged them with several different questions. It took them awhile as they were not quite so eager to hear His Words together but once they paid attention, you could see HIM working in their lives. It was really neat to be a part of it and watch HIM work all day today. By the end of the night, I was exhausted but went to the plazas to see the soccer games that were going on. I wanted to see one of the youth I have been working with play but he had already finished. We talked for a little bit and then I went home to pack and go to bed. This girl was tired but it was a good tired!

Friday morning during our devotional, Hrln shares with me that she would like to study more of Romans and asked if I would help her. PRAISE HIM!! She has been so closed to me and cold that I have just let her be and waited on Him! And like always, HE answers in His time and so we started to study the Word that morning and will continue next week! WooHooo! Ktln had asked me for a ride into Turbaco because she had to go to into Cartagena and it was a blessing to pry with her and encourage her more in The Word as we drove. We stopped, had a little breakfast at a bread store, and then I headed to the farm. I arrived and it was so silent. The Riffle’s had moved down into their home and all the kids were at school. It gave me some much-needed time to talk with Julie and hear her heart and just what HE had been teaching her. I had asked for this time as I was missing my friend and like HE always, does HE provided us some time together. The Paul’s arrive and the four of us study His Words together. I love these women and love that HE has brought us together. We came to the conclusion today that the reason that all four of us are here is because we did not learn what HE wanted to teach us in the US…so we surrendered a lot of ourselves to Him this morning. And HE answered another pryr of mine, as Ruth and I walked up to the house we found all the guys (YES ALL OF THEM) studying His Word together!! WooHooo…HE is so faithful! Ruth and I headed down to see the house and man, what a blessing. This house is incredible and such a gift to these laborers of His…who feel undeserving but I say they deserve it! We laughed, chatting about different things and just taking all of it in. Their house was finished; the next step for the foundation is about to happen; our pryrs are being answered!!

I left the farm early because I needed to get home and finish a paper and turn it in. I took the Paul girls home with me and once again the little squirt Ruthie brings up the fact that she wants me to be married. Oh what a blessing she is and I have tried to attach the picture she drew me just last week (Ruth says it was not prompted by her…but you never know with Ruth!) I get them in their house, come home and Susie is still at the house. We chat for awhile, pry with her, and then I head to finish my paper and other work for seminary.

Saturday was a busy morning and then that afternoon; the sports ministry team came over for the first of our studies together in Romans. It was a good time with each of them except the guy I told you about before. I really do not understand him except that he comes to each meeting with his own agenda and he speaks/preaches his own agenda even if it has nothing related to the actual topic we are discussing. He does not listen to others but is constantly planning what he will say next. And for some reason, likes to repeat me but incorrectly. Pry for Keepdris and what he is here for and what I need to learn from this situation. Pry for love for me for this kid because right now, he is just an annoyance and has several characteristics that drive me crazy! Oh what an ugly sinner I am…pry for me! That afternoon, I spent time with Luz Mercy listening to her talk about her life and what she is dealing with. He led me to offer to mentor/disciple her and she gladly accepted and we organized a time to do this. Pry for wisdom as I seek His face for what we should study, how I can help her, and that He will unite us as I walk alongside her in her relationship with Him. That evening, I started working on a virtual pryr walk video for our pryr leader in the affinity. And I don’t know why, but I could not think of anything and so I started to watch a class from seminary and the Internet went out and stayed out all night. I took advantage of the time and continued reading some reading for my classes and pryd for His vision for this video.

Sunday, I woke up after having the weirdest dream. I was married and my husband and I were at the doctor because I was pregnant (now you know why it was weird…married and pregnant…more like a nightmare, right? Just Kidding, Mom!!) The doctor tells us that we are having triplets. I really don’t think I can explain the feeling I had but I know that my husband and I didn’t talk the entire ride home. When we got home, I asked him if I could go for a walk…walk to Ruth’s house and we head down a dirt path walking. I tell her the news and she laughs. Thoughts of how do you feed three children with only two breasts? In a little while, I will not care how dirty my feet are from this dirt road because I will not be able to see my feet. And the ultimate was that I knew that HE would not stop at 3…that there would be more to come and I did not know what to do. I realized that this was a result of feeling like I have so much to do and not knowing how to do or where to start. So I spent some much needed time with Him early this morning…giving Him all my thoughts and things that needed to be done and asking Him to order my steps.

I really wanted to go to the farm this AM because one of the kids was going to be baptized but He told me to go to the club. I went obediently and HE blessed me beyond belief. You may not remember because it has been almost a year since HE gave me this vision/idea to teach the women how to be women and start my Titus 2 project with the purpose of teaching them how to be mentors and on mission for Him. Well, I have patiently waited and waited on the leaders of the youth and women to decide this was something that HE was telling us to do. Today, the leader of the women said we were starting the study in two weeks, every week for as long as He wants! PRAISE HIM!! Later another woman asked if I would help her every two weeks teach 10-13 year olds about missions during the sermon. PRAISE HIM!! And later one of the youth, asked if I would fill in for her teaching SS to the youth while she was away! PRAISE HIM! Now, I feel like my plate is full but I know these are all blessings from Him and I am excited to watch Him work in all of it!

That afternoon, I tried to work on the video and everything I did, I did not like. I was blocked and frustrated because I had so much to do but this video had to be done today because I had to send it to Peru with Brian the next day. I talked to Kerri, Jota, and to others trying to get some direction and then went for a run. I felt a peace and just rested in that when I returned. I spent all night long on that video…I do mean, all night without sleep. But I finished the video, got it to Brian, and then went to sleep.

I don’t know what He has planned for this week but I am excited to watch HIM work miracles again and open doors. I am asking Him to order my steps each day…please ask the same and that I will be able to complete all tasks that HE gives me to the glory of His Name!