The past 2 weeks since my last post have been consumed by the aftermath from my last post. I will cut to the chase, no I am no close to knowing "the plan" that I was a couple of weeks ago but He has been doing some cool things in the mean time.

As I sit in front of this computer trying for the 100th time to start this update, I am brought to my knees as I reflect on His mercy and grace in my life over the past month. It has been exactly one month and 2 days since I packed up 4 ½ years of my life in Colombia, said goodbye to that foreign land and it’s peoples that HE had transformed into my home and family, and boarded a plane to what should feel like home but has felt more foreign than I can adequately express in words. The one thing that made this transition easier was that I was bringing a huge part of Colombia that had captured my heart back with me to the US, Jorge.

The shock I felt as we landed and sat in Miami, Florida was more than I could bear. I know most of you reading this will think I am crazy and it is okay, I am quite weird. When we entered, I felt such a suffocating pressure and presence around me that I honestly could not breathe and began to panic. I pryd, proclaimed His Words, and tried to sit quietly asking HIM to relieve me. Eventually, Jorge pryd over me and I caught my breath but the weight did not completely lift off my chest. As I watched people, tried to help Jorge understand what was going on, and just move from one terminal to the next…I realized that I needed HIM here way more than ever before. I understood the language but not the people. Everything seemed familiar but at the same time so strange. So as we boarded the plane to Nashville, I sat with My Father and begged for His mercy and love to consume me as I was unsure of what was next in my life.

So fast-forward through 2 weeks of just complete numbness, shock, and overwhelming experiences right and left, and my sister and brother in law arrive. Kerri took one look at me and knew I was not in a good place. I was being attacked physically and was exhausted. I was being attacked emotionally and could not process anything in a healthy manner. I was being attacked spiritually and questioned one of the most important decisions I would ever make and why HE brought me back here. My family was amazing and so patient with me as I have been struggling. Jorge has been a champ; giving me space when I needed it, making me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry, and just entering into our family and doing his part with chores and what not.

How is it that a Colombian who is arriving in a new country for the first time, being surrounded by people he doesn’t understand and a language that he has not fully grasped walk around like he is on the familiar streets of Cartagena, Colombia? Where was my faith and trust in My Father Who had been my everything for the past 4 ½ years? Why was there such inner turmoil inside of me and I was “home”? HE was faithful when I was not and I praise HIM for carrying me through these past 4 weeks of busyness and celebrations. Little by little, HE began to speak to me and give me opportunities to serve HIM and share His love with others.

So it was time for our big day, the wedding cruise that HE had organized in such a way that I stand in awe of a DAD so good and loving that would do everything to make this little dream of mine a reality, even when I was not all that excited to go. HE provided everything in such cool ways that all you could do was praise HIM because it was all HIM and not us! I love it! Even to the point, that Jorge and I were looking at rings and HE provided two rings that fit perfectly that my sister and Felipe had ordered for themselves 2 years ago but didn’t return them. There is so much more that I could write here but I will save it for personal conversations. I tried to fight the LRD is so much during the past 4 weeks and HE just kept being Amazing.

So, the day comes for 11 of us to pack up our stuff in a van and make the trip down to Miami for this cruise. We left earlier than we had planned because of a cold front that was coming through and bringing freezing temperatures and snow with it. We had a great time in the van just talking, sleeping, singing, and whatever else you can imagine to do in a van for 16 hours (with an 11 month old!) We arrive early that morning and hadn’t slept all night, we find the port and then quickly head to an IHOP for breakfast. Even as I sat around the table looking at who HE had placed around Jorge and I, I stood in awe of a Father that thinks of everything and had blessed me more than I deserve with people who love us and wanted to be a part of this week. After IHOP, we walk around, find a Kmart to kill more time. A friend sends me a text telling me we should go to some famous outdoor mall and so we head there and just enjoy time sitting outside and being together. He provides even for the smallest things!

It comes time for us to head to the port and get this cruise started. We unload the van and wait for another couple to enter in with us because they had some of our luggage. This waiting turns into a crazy time of trying to direct them here using maps and Siri; it was quite the show. Jorge’s family arrives and we chat with them for a little while. The couple still had not arrived and so we send everyone in but Jorge because we were on the same boarding pass. Jorge and I chat and try to help the couple to arrive. Eventually, they arrive and we get them situated and we enter in to let the FUN begin! As we are waiting in the line to check in, we see the Paul family and it is becoming more real that all of this is happening and I cannot stop praising HIM for giving us a week with our family, no matter what happened on the boat!

HE is so sovereign in moving me towards a time of worship because what happens next is something that I still cannot honestly believe happened to us. The Carnival agent told us that we had to follow her into another room. We are told that there is a problem with Jorge’s visa and we explain our situation. We explain that we are on this cruise to get married, that there are 27 other people on the boat, and explain all that had been done before with Carnival to show that there is no problem for Jorge to go. So we wait and wait and wait for an hour in what turns to be named Carnival prison by me (they would not let me leave to go see The Jenkins as they waited in line and I wanted to explain to them what was happening.) While we wait, we are pryng and reading His Words trusting that HE is in control. We were able to help and share His Truths with a couple from Spain that did not speak any English. It was a great time to share with them and took my mind off the fact that we had been told nothing this entire time.

Another 30 minutes pass and still we have heard nothing, so I begin to be my little aggressive self and demand to know something or else all 27 people are getting off the boat and we will celebrate somewhere else. This situation was completely out of our hands and so we had to completely trust in HIM that what HE desired would happen and we would worship HIM. Eventually, everyone else in the Carnival prison was released but two other people and us. So as we wait, I look at my watch and realize that it is almost time for the boat to leave and that they have stalled to talk to us so that the doors were closed and no one could get off or get on. They share with us that we cannot go on the cruise. I share with these two new people the story, show them the emails from Carnival stating that we could, and still they deny us. I honestly feel like I am in a dream but cannot stay there because we need to communicate all of this to our family and get our bags off the boat and figure out what we are going to do. So I call my mom to get her to bring our bags but they would not let her off and would not tell her anything but they did bring us our bags. It is 4:00pm now, we haven’t slept or eaten and now are faced with the reality that all of our family and friends are going on our cruise and we are stuck in Miami without a car or plan of where to go and what to do.

The Carnival people give us a grace to charge my phone a little so we can begin to make plans and inform my family of what has happened. They then escort us out of the building and I get this “great” idea to tell everyone to come to the back of the boat to say goodbye to us. DUMB move, Kendall. After their muster station drills, they all head back to the boat and when I saw them all, I just lost it. I could not control myself and really did not understand why any of this had happened and how it had happened. My brain could not process everything as I stood there beside Jorge, looking up on 27 of the most amazing people in the world, and waving goodbye to them. Never in a million years did I see this coming. With everything that had happened over the past 4 weeks, I thought a lot of different scenerios but never did this one enter into my mind. HE saved me through a text through Wyley that stated that “this will make a great wedding story one day. All thing work together. All things. Remember that we can’t lose. I think Gd is taking everything away except what you needed…look who is left standing next to you.”

After this text, HE calmed my spirit and I was able to talk to my family, have my dad pry over us, and say goodbye. We stood there for what seemed like days watching the boat leave and us waving goodbye and this reality sinking in, that Jorge and I were not going on this cruise. So now with the boat gone, we have luggage and that is about it. The Carnival people said that they called for a taxi for us but nothing had come in the hour we had been standing there. Eventually, the two people who had been “helping” us came out to go home and called another taxi. We get in the taxi, the man doesn’t speak English, and he takes us to some hotel. We get rooms, unload our stuff, and walk across the street to eat. The meal was full of good food, blank stares, tears, and text messages from our loved ones. We walked around for a bit to talk, pry, and process. We headed back to our rooms, showered, pryd together, and went to bed…I think it was like 8:30pm.

The next morning, we woke up and ate the “hot breakfast”/bagel offered by our hotel. We pryd over what we should do and what our options were at this time. We honestly did not have the money to afford this hotel for much longer and it was not a nice hotel but the cheapest around. We did not know anyone in the area.  We read Joshua 1 and are reminded to be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lrd Your Gd is with you wherever you go. Right after a time of meditating on His Word, my mom calls me to remind me that a friend from college lives in Miami and that I should call him. Jorge’s sister in law has an aunt who lives in the area and she was willing to let us stay with them. My friends text me with an offer to pay all of our expenses if we wanted to stay in the hotel to process. WHAT? In a matter of 30 minutes, we had 3 options and HE had once again provided for us. We were swimming in His grace and love! I personally just wanted to head back to Nashville and be alone. Jorge reminded me that we needed to seek His will for all of this and if we are to be used by Him in someone’s life, we need to be open to that. HE reminded me what were the main reasons that I wanted to go on a cruise for my wedding. I wanted His Name to be glorified, for everyone to have a personal encounter with HIM and come away changed, and to get married. I submit my desires to HIS and ask for HIM to glorify His Name through this situation and give joy to all involved as they meet with HIM. So I call my long time friend who I haven’t seen in 12 years, Kerri’s friend’s mom who lives 4 hours away, M’s aunt, and we check out of our hotel.

Jorge and I get some coffee and wait  on HIM to see who can take us in and where we should go. My friend ends up being like 10 minutes away from us and volunteers to come and get us and take us to his house. So, C picks us up, takes us to eat lunch, and to the direction of M’s aunt’s house but it ended up being the wrong address. Her house was too far away and so we felt HE was closing that door. So, C takes us to a mall for us to kill time while he goes home to clean his house to receive the approval of his pregnant wife. Jorge and I walk around, still feels like a dream to me, we eat dinner, and go to a movie. C picks us up and we head to his house to sleep. It was great to catch up with C and his wife, meet his two kids, and just feel His love in such a unique way.

The next day, we spend time in His Words. I am in Joshua 2 and HE meets me once again with the story of Rahab. I had been feeling convicted that I was being an adulterer with my devotion to HIM and allowing idols to enter in to my life. I know I am a liar. And HE showered me with His love once again, as I read of a lying prostitute whom HE spares and then uses her lineage to bring His Son, Jss into the world. That is right, this lying prostitute makes it into the genealogy of Jss Chrst in the book of Matthew. She is the mom of Boaz which brings me back to the book of Ruth and all HE has used this book to teach me and show me in relation to this step of becoming a wife and getting married. WOW, I sat on the floor in tears as I was overwhelmed by This Great Gd Who loves me in such extreme ways and is SO SO good in all that HE does! Today was the day that Jorge and I were to be married and I had never felt His love so tangible!

He gave me time to talk to C, share what HE has been teaching me, listen to C’s heart, share the gospel, and just a time for us to share. It was sweet time that HE ordained and I praise HIM for that. It was C’s son’s birthday and His Sovereign hands takes my thoughts off of woe is me and gives us an opportunity to make his day super special as we celebrated with the family. Jorge and I played with the boys and helped around as much as we could. We enjoyed just a night spent talking and sharing together! It was such a great day! Not to mention, HE blessed my mom with service so that I could talk to pretty much everyone on the boat. I wanted to say Happy Birthday to Noa and see how everything was going on the cruise. Why does HE love me so?

The next day, I spent time in Joshua 3. The words of the LRD to Joshua and the Israelites were like sweet water to my ears. Kendall, keep a good distance in between you and I as I show you things. Don’t run too near these things so that you will know the way which you shall go, for you have never passed this way before. I left Tennessee several days before to go on a cruise. We did not go on the cruise. We did not get married. And tomorrow we will be heading back home to lots of people and questions. He told me that HE will show us the way to go but not run to that way but wait for HIM to do it. Keep my eyes on HIM because we have never been in a situation like this before. I meditated on this Word all day. Jorge and I ate breakfast with C and S that morning and then they took us to mall to walk around outside and just be together, the two of us. We shared what HE was teaching us, what we were thinking, and just enjoyed being together in the situation we were in.  We were not able to talk to anyone on the boat this day because they had no service, so we pryd a lot for all of them as they enjoyed their last day on the boat together.

That evening, we ate dinner together with the family. C asked me if I would share my testimony with his family, teach them His Words, and show him how he could begin to lead his family in this way. He is so searching and I praise HIM for allowing me to be used by HIM in C’s life. So, we all sat down and I shared my testimony and the gospel message with them. I shared a story from His Word with them and then we talked about the story and what we learned from it. Jorge and I gave them devotional books and showed the boys how to use them. We pryd and the boys went to bed. It was a sweet time where the HS ministered to the entire family as they each were tearing up as His Truths were proclaimed! I pry that HE will be the LRD of this family and glorify Himself through them!!

We began to pack up and continued to meditate on the Word from the LRD in Joshua. The next morning, I continued to meditate on this Word and praised HIM for speaking to me so clearly and giving me His Word to stand on as we head back. We say goodbye to the kids and C so generously offers to drive us back into Miami to meet up with everyone. He takes us to a sweet donut place where we buy donuts for everyone. When we arrive at the port, it was so good to see everyone and hear all about their trip! We stay at the port for a little while and then decide to go to a park that C once again selflessly offers to take us to. We spend several hours at the park where we just spend time together and have a time of worship and devotional. We then head to the bathroom, say goodbye, and each family leaves to begin their journey back to their homes. What a sweet time HE gave us together and my heart was full after hearing all that HE did in their lives and through them while on the boat. It was neat to see how HE had united this group of strangers into a family through the power of His Son, Jss.

It was a hard day as Jorge and I only had a couple of hours with his family, my sister and her husband, and two other precious families. I praise HIM for providing a phone for me before this trip because we were able to stay in contact as each of us traveled and continue to process what had happened!

So, this was not the way I thought it would have happened and am still processing everything. My time in His Word has been incredible and HE has been speaking so clearly to me. HE has been so gracious and merciful with my family and I as we don’t know how to answer everyone. We know that His Name was glorified during this trip. We know that everyone had an encounter with HIM and came away changed. We know that at least 5 people heard the gospel message and we pry that HE opens their heart to understand and receive salvation. And we know that we are to wait on HIM for the next step.

Thank you for reading this long story. Thank you for pryng for me and Jorge. Please continue to pry for us as we wait on HIM and seek His will. Ask that we will be obedient to what HE has called us to do, no matter what!

My daily life for the past 4 weeks has not been the usual ministry, miraculous jammed back weeks that you are use to reading about here. I became pretty sick over a month ago (high fever, painful rash, weak, etc). It took about a week and a half of sleepless and painful days/nights before the MDs diagnosed my problem...I had a staff infection with a 7cm abscess under my L armpit and 2 abscess under my R armpit. I was hospitalized for 7 days (an experience to say the least), had surgery to remove the abscess (another experience that I am still enjoying the effects of as I type), and have since seen 2 other surgeons to help diagnose my new problem and tell me why I was in so much pain. I currently have deep vein thrombosis in my L arm due to damage done during surgery and the drainage hole has yet to close. So, I am here in the city.

I have felt useless, lonely, exhausted, and really had no desire to write on here or update you on my life. I really only wanted to go to the States and be with my family and doctors that I trust. Yet, that was not in HIS plan. HE wasn't telling me I was useless. HE never left my side. And HE convicted me of my selfishness of not sharing what HE was doing in my life and the lives of those here in Cartagena through this illness. So, please forgive me for my disobedience. Thank you for your pryrs for me as I have definitely felt them during this entire process.

HE has been so faithful and proved to me once again that HE is all that I need. HE has provided for the medical care and costly medicines. HE surrounded me with people to care for me, feed me, clean my apt, bathe me, pry for me, and be by my side through this entire process. HE has given me so much time to pry for all of you, my people, and what HE is doing. HE has given me a chance to finish several books I was wanting to read, sanctifying me through them, and giving me opportunities to share what I have been learning with others. HE has given me times at HIS feet to get HIS "to do" list for these last months here in Colombia. HE has given my people the opportunity to serve me which has opened up many doors to confront many things that may have never surfaced in the lives of the youth and women that I work with here in Cartagena. And HE gave me several opportunities to share HIS love, light, and gospel message with those around me in the hospital, medical visits, and visits in my house.

HE is WAY TOO GOOD! I am unworthy and I praise the LRD Who gives and takes away for His glory. I do not question any of this and strive each day to do everything HE has asked me to do within my limitations from the illness and pain. So, thank you for pryng. Thank you for loving me, even when I have been disobedient. And thank you for loving HIM and serving HIM where ever HE has placed you!

May the LRD of peace fill you with His love and grace for all people!

Please forgive me for not letting you know what all HE has been doing over the past month here in Colombia! Thank you for your faithfulness to pry even when I am not faithful in reporting what HE is doing! I love you!

And to those few who read this section, the above applies to you as well and I am thankful for your obedience!

To say that the past 7 days have been easy breezy, would be a complete lie...and since I am trying not to lie anymore I guess that won't be my starting line for this daily life intro. I sit here exhausted physically, spiritually, and emotionally. For 1 month, I have been on the front lines battling face to face with the enemy. I have bruises, injuries, thoughts but no broken bones. I have been carried each day to meet the enemy face to face and in HIS power have walked away victorious...although now I am wiped clean of any speck of energy.

Thank you for pryng for me each week...each month...each day...etc. It is because of an Almighty Gd and your pryrs that I am still here and able to write this to you! So thank you from the bottom of my heart! 

Friday and Saturday of last week are still a blur to me. I thought those two days were the last of the below the belt blows I was going to receive but I should know better, now shouldn't I? Sunday, we a great day in the club. The youth in the SS class are mostly dead but HE has breathed life into several of them and I can see a spark of life in their eyes. It excites me to see them coming, listening, reading His Words, and most of all thinking -- as they are confronted with what HIS Word says and what they have believed their entire lives. Oh what a privilege to be a small part of what HE is doing! That afternoon, I received some more blows but ended the day with a long run with Brody and then some time on the rocks watching Him paint the sky with colors that cannot be described. I sat at His feet, sang praises to His Name, and drank deeply at the well of My Savior's living water...and walked away refreshed!

Monday, I started the AM fasting/pryng and preparing for the youth team to come over. They arrive, we pry together, sing together, and share what HE revealed to us in our time of fasting and pryng as a team. It was a sweet time together and it was cool to hear how HE was speaking to them...unfortunately I have felt like my hears have been plugged from hearing His voice for several weeks but thankfully HE and I had already talked about HIS plans for the team, so I just shared what HE had revealed to me before. We made a community meal, the boys played soccer, we ate, we played more games, we swam, and just enjoyed each other's company. HE has really taken this team and formed them into a family and I praise HIM for that. HE has taken babies and grown them into more mature little guys and gals walking by themselves and eating meat! It is cool! And like clockwork, Monday night I was robbed of my sleep and spent the night proclaiming Scripture over so many of my family, friends, and of course my people.

Tuesday, I met with Vnss for our weekly discipleship meeting. HE is revealing much to her if she would just slow down long enough to listen and allow HIM to move. She allows Him to start the work in her but quickly takes back the control before HE can really get to the root of the problem and remove it. We talked about the idols in her life. We talked about many other things but focused on the idols in her life and allowing HIM to tear them down out of the high places. We finished, I bought some food, ran home, and packed the car to head out to Palenque. Darlys did not call me until 3:00pm and it was pouring rain and she wanted to know if we could just go on Wednesday. Of course, I said yes and unpacked the food from the car and continued working on a video for my local club. More and more negative thoughts bombarded my mind that afternoon...I began to be physically ill, and hit my knees in pryr. I spent the rest of the evening pryng and preparing for Palenque.

Wednesday, we head out early in the AM for Palenque. Darlys was not in a good mood and so I began to pry over her and share His Truth with her the entire car ride. She is learning about spiritual warfare and how real it is in her own life. We arrive, unpack, and meet up with several different groups of people in the streets. The environment is heavy and it is difficult to breathe. The plaza is full of offerings to their idol. The village is full of people from all over who have come to worship and pour out libations. We share the gospel with several people and have several other people yell, curse, and threaten us. We meet with two women to teach His Words and they were distracted and drained as well. We pryd over them, tried to encourage them, and reminded them of the spiritual battle that we are in. We eat lunch and then head out for two more family meetings. We arrive and no one is around except some family members from out of town that we do not know. Darlys and I spent the next several hours just pryng, walking, and speaking to people as they allowed us. We head back to the house to get ready for our youth meeting that evening and it begins to pour rain. When it rains in Palenque, the people do not leave their house and generally the power goes out. We begin to pry that the rain will stop and that the youth will come. It was not in His plan for us that night. A couple of youth came by at different times throughout the night but not for the purpose to meet and study His Words. So, we decided to watch a movie on my computer with the couple who live in the house. I worked out while we watched Facing the Giants. It was good and lead to some good discussion with the couple afterwards.

Thursday, we wake up at 3:30AM to head to the plaza to begin to pry over the plaza as the festival starts later today. It was the first time I felt peaceful in the village in awhile and not to mention it was cooler. His presence was there amongst us as we cried out to Him, sat at His Feet, and worshipped Him. Darlys and I continued to pry as we walked through the village until the sun came up. We headed back to rest for awhile before the women came for the Word study. We had a good time in His Word but three of the women were falling asleep as we were studying...and they did not meet with us to pry in the early morning. More and more distractions came to the door of the house, on the street in front of the house, etc that we stopped and began to pry. HE stopped the distractions and we had a good conversation. We ate lunch and headed to meet with Dncl and Krstn. We found them in the same place as we left them, if not more hostile. There was lots of anger in the people this week but as we talked, pryd, and studied HE released them from their anger and we saw a glimpse of the old Dncl and Krstn. We headed back to the house to meet up with a young lady who asked if we would disciple her. She arrived with another youth (her boyfriend) and they persisted to be awkward until I told them that if they wanted to hang out, then to go to the other part of the room while Darlys and I studied His Words. They changed their attitudes and we had a good first conversation.They both share that they feel spiritual dead and sad. We teach them on spiritual warfare and give them Words to proclaim. We then headed down to meet with Mnl and his family. It was a good time in His Words with the family. As we walked back to the house, I had some time to talk to Darlys and see how she was processing everything.

As we walked and shared, we heard the festival beginning and the sounds of 4 families mourning the deaths of their families members from the day before. We decided to head into the plaza to buy something cold to drink, as it was SO Hot and we wanted to see what they were doing. There were people everywhere, music so loud you couldn't hear anything, drinking, drugs, their idol in the middle of the plaza, and men and women doing all kinds of things in public that should only be done in the confines of marriage. We head back to the house, eat some dinner, and wait for our next group to arrive to meet. They never show. So we pry, spend some time alone in the Word, and go to sleep.

Friday, we wake up at 3:30AM again to pry in the plaza together as today begins the blood shedding/sacrifices to the gods. We had a good group meet together to pry over the village and spend some time alone with HIM. We head back to the house, rest a little, and then Darlys and I head to Turbana. It was a good day on the farm but I was completely exhausted. I spent time with each person, listening, and trying to encourage them. I love that they let me be apart of their families...it is such a blessing! I head back to the house early because I was suppose to meet with Dls for discipleship. She ended up not showing and I spent the evening with a horrible head ache and cramps. On Saturday, I was worthless. I canceled the youth study and spent the day in bed. Dls came over later that evening for our discipleship and HE really opened her up to me! I PRAISE HIM for willingness to share some pretty hard things with me. We read Scripture and asked HIM to help us form a plan to move into a process of healing from these thing that had happened to her. It was good. And then Juancho and his family came in from Bogota to stay for the week for their vacation. I made them dinner, ate with them, and then excused myself as I still did not feel well. I was able to talk to my mom and hear all about her week in Louisiana with her cousin. It was neat to hear how HE had used Mom is some cool ways to speak His Truths and share His Love! What a blessing it is to have a Mom who is focused on His Will and His Glory! I praise HIM daily for my parents.

So that was my week, it was a great week of watching HIM work. It was a long week of mental, spiritual, and physical battles but we know WHO always wins in the end! Thanks for reading...thanks for pryng...and thanks for loving me!!

I am still processing last week and honestly have not been able to write down what all we experienced. Tuesday, there was a revolt in the village. The governor of Cartagena came to the village on Saturday to see how the projects were coming along. He was shocked to see that the leaders had taken the money from the government but had not made many advances and no project was complete. When we arrived, the plaza was filled with the entire village. The two rival leader groups (the original leaders and the young revolutionaries) were meeting to talk through their differences and find out where all the money had gone. Only one group spoke and prevented the other to speak. This did not go over well and fights broke out -- and then one group running and shouting in one area while they other group fled to the other area. The village was in an uproar and full of hatred. It was difficult to breathe in the village as the atmosphere was extremely heavy. Our first 3 meetings, no one wanted to meet. We headed back to the house and began to pry. We left to meet with our last group, we found them in front of the TV but at least they wanted to talk...not about HIM but wanted to talk to us. We learned a lot Tuesday about Palenque and then Darlys began to be sick.

Wednesday, Darlys was extremely sick. I took care of her and she just rested Wednesday AM. I spent time in His Words, pryd, and worshipped Him. After lunch, we met with Krstn and Dncl. They were in crisis in a bad way. There was so much hate everywhere we looked. We spoke Truth to them and ended our talk on the sacrifice of Chrst. Then we headed into a marriage counseling session -- I praise HIM that HE has given me a passion for marriages and I have studied what HIS Words say about marriage. I spoke Truth in love to them, we pryd over them, and left them with homework. Darlys needed to lay back down and so we went back to the house. I met with another couple at the house and then we had the youth group that night. Right as we were about to meet, a huge storm came in and so it was 6 of us but HE was glorified as we worshipped, study His Truth, and pryd over the village.

Thursday, Darlys felt horrible and was ready to go home. We pryd over her, gave her some medicine, and waited for her to stop throwing up. We decided to have the women's group that morning and man, I needed it. My thoughts were being attacked the entire time we were there...feelings of worthlessness, frustration, etc had creeped in. We met with the group of women...I told the story of Hagar...and we talked about El Roi. It was incredible to watch HIM move in their lives and open their eyes to HIM as The Dad Who sees! WOW...HE IS SO GOOD! It was a sweet time studying His Words, pryng together, and sharing. HE revealed to them that they need to be discipled and asked us to do it!! YES...thank you Jss!! We will hopefully begin next week. I have asked Darlys to disciple one by herself, I will do one by myself and we will disciple another one together. I am excited to see how HE uses this time with these women to strengthen them and sharpen them as instruments of His Righteousness. After lunch, Darlys felt horrible and so she laid down again. I told her I would go get the car and we would leave but she was not feeling well enough to leave. So, HE gave us some time for her to rest and HE sent a young lady to our house to speak Truth and share His love with her. She too asked if we could meet with her on a regular basis. After our meeting with her, I went to explain to the 3 other groups that we would not be meeting today, give them homework to meet together and discuss, and that we would meet next week. We headed back. Darlys rested and I just processed what all I had seen and experienced.

The rest of the week is blurry. I will have to write more once I have processed it. Friday and Saturday were very hard days for me spiritually. HE was victorious but I definitely have some battle wounds that I am allowing HIM to heal and strengthen me through His Words. I will write more later....

Sunday, HE told me that instead of continuing with the Who Is Dad study that I should share the gospel with them. HE reminded me that the reason that I feel like they are asleep in SS class each week is because they are sleeping, spiritually. Many of them have never heard the true gospel message, which is the power to save them. So, we had a huge group of youth this week and I gave HIM the class and asked HIM to speak through me. My heart broke as I asked for them to tell me what is the gospel message and share with us how they share the gospel message with others. Oh, Lrd Jss have mercy on your club and these people who have no clue the power of your message as I listened to silence and when a couple decided to share, it was anything but HIS Words but a rehearsed presentation filled with man’s words and so far from the Truth. HE spoke through me as I shared the basic gospel message using HIS Words and not my own. I gave them the same homework that I had given the sports ministry team – to look at a gospel tract and evaluate it based on Scripture. I am hoping in all things, as love does, but I highly doubt that many of them will take the time to grow deeper in the gospel message. Oh I pry that the HS will fall on them, open their hearts, and wake these youth up to Who HE is and what HE desires of them!!

The club service was one of the longest because they were renewing vows and marrying different couples in the club. I was once again saddened, as the pastor did not use any Scripture in his message but pure psychological marriage material. Oh I pry for an spiritual awakening amongst His people in this club. After the service, I met with Vnss for our discipleship time. We had a great time talking about her week, her struggles, and what HE had been teaching her through His Words. HE is truly confronting her with His Truths and she is responding and not running. HE is really uniting us and I am excited to see how HE uses me in her life. I pry daily that she grows deeper in her knowledge of Him, please join me in pryng for her. That afternoon, I came home, ran, and then spent some time in pryr.

Monday was a full day of paperwork, meetings, and HE blessed me with some conversations with family and friends. HE blessed me by giving me a chance to hear from my new adopted family from the jungle and everything that HE was doing in their lives. HE is good. I pryd, prepared, and packed for Palenque.

Tuesday, we left for Palenque and had a great time of discipleship and pryr together on the ride out to Palenque. We arrived, dropped off our things in a house full of Koreans (a team of 8 Koreans were there helping the YWAM ms), and then we headed down to meet with Ddr. We had a great time of study in HIS Words and trying to prepare her to be able to teach other women and young women these stories and material. She has been convicted of many things and has openly shared them with us – without being embarrassed! This is SO HUGE as most people will not openly confess their sins in front of others in this culture but I praise HIM as HE is freeing her from her sins and using us to help hold her accountable. We left Ddr and headed back to the house to see how we could help out with the team.

When we arrived, Pdr was there waiting on us. It was great just to hear his testimony in person and see the light in his eyes and the new outlook on life. He began to share all kinds of revelations with us that HE had revealed to him. He was in shock when we began to show him each of those revelations confirmed in His Word. He had never read the Word and so he bought one and was in shock when he read things that HE had already told him while he was picking mangos over the weekend. It was one of the coolest experiences I have had in awhile to watch his face change as he read from His Word what he had heard from HIM over the weekend. He was so excited to share with others…he actually told me that his people had to hear all of this because they had never heard this before because they were blind. It was so cool! Thank you for pryng for Pdr and continue to pry that HE will reveal more and more to him as he reads The Word. When Pdr left, Darlys and I went to visit with Nz. It was great to be with her again and hear what HE had been doing in her life. We had a great time of pryr and sharing His Stories.  We head back to the house full of people and looked for a place to sleep. That night, HE blessed us with a strong storm that came through and cooled things off for us so that we could sleep a little.

Wednesday, we woke up to the storm and so they canceled the activity that the team was going to do. Darlys and I lead the devotional with the entire group and the YWAM team. It was good to see Darlys once again step out of her comfort zone and teach. She still looks to me for the questions that lead the discussion deeper but she is growing and I praise HIM for that! We left after the devotion to meet with a group of women. The women were excited to see us and were actually waiting for us. They were open to hearing His Stories and had some good insight. Darlys took the lead with this group and did an excellent job. HE is truly transforming her right before my eyes and I praise HIM for allowing me to see His work in her. Although at times living life with someone as you disciple them can drive you crazy, HE keeps me grounded with little nuggets like these of watching her grow in her understanding of Who He is and what HE desires of her. We came back to the house in time to help them cook lunch, serve lunch, and say goodbye to the Korean group. It was interesting to sit and hear about their culture. They shared their struggles and they had lots of questions about HIM and missions. When they left, the YWAM team also left to rest and so Darlys and I had a little time to rest ourselves.

We headed out to meet with another family who was not ready to receive us and asked us to come the next day. We sat and chatted with two of the young ladies of the family. HE guided the conversation and took it exactly to what we needed to understand about this family! HE is so good! We head back to the house and prepare for the youth meeting that night. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw Pdr coming in to the house first not only with his new Word but also a notebook and pen. He is so hungry and it is exciting to watch! The meeting went well as I presented the story of creation to club – explaining to them that sometimes it is easier to understand things better when we understand the big picture. There were 4 new guys there who sat by Pdr. They had lots of questions and it was neat to watch Pdr explain things to them and tell them that he was just like them last week but HE had opened his eyes to understand. It was so cool to watch this baby in the faith explain things clearly to his people. Oh pry for Pdr and for what HE has planned for his life!

Thursday, we thought we would have the woman’s group but because of the rain and another meeting Darlys and I took advantage of the morning together. We continued our study together in His Words and HE sent 3 people to the house for us to minister to in different ways. We had a great morning and I allowed Darlys to take the lead in each of our times of pryr and teaching in the house. We made lunch for the couple who lives in the house and then we headed to meet Dncl  and Krstn. Praise HIM that we found Krstn in a better mood but no where near she was a month ago. We talked about the sacrifice of Abraham and how it shows us the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. HE opened their eyes to understand this truth and it was the first time that they had seen the work of the cross in the OT. Please continue to ask HIM to protect this time with this couple and drive them to the cross of Jss Chrst. Ask that they will know HIM not just as a name they use in their pryrs but a name that they know personally and intimately.

After our time with them, we head down to meet with Mnl and his family. We arrive and they are not ready to meet with us. So Darlys and I talk about her English homework and those that are sitting with us join in our conversation. Once everyone arrives, we begin our study and HE has really changed their lives in one week! Each of them had done the homework and showed where they saw stories of sacrifice in His Word and how that drives us to see the work of Jss on the cross. HE truly blessed our time of study and each of them honestly confessed a way that they were not living out Romans 12:1-2. It was so cool to hear them honestly confess their sins with each other so that they could help hold each other accountable and grow together as a family in HIM! It was such a sweet time to watch this miracle in their lives…a group of people who are generally so closed with anything in their lives, yet alone their sin! What a Savior! What power! We did our English class and then Darlys and I headed back to the house. We spent the evening visiting with different people who stopped by the house with different questions or seeking pryr. It is so cool how HE sends people to us and they are not asking for money or food (well the majority.)

Friday, we head out and take two of the girls to a nearby town. We spent the car ride pryng and mentoring these two youth. Darlys and I arrive at the farm and it is always good to arrive there. It feels like home and I praise HIM for these families who have accepted me like one of their own. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Stacy or Julie this time because they were busy. I still pry diligently for time as a group of women to pry and study His Words but am waiting on His Time…as to not become the annoying one. I had a great time with Luis Fernando and his family. We just shared what HE has been teaching us, how ministry was going, and different things that had been on our hearts. I played with the kids and then Darlys needed to leave early – so we head out. I spent the afternoon cleaning the house, washing, and processing all that HE did during the week in Palenque. Each and every encounter that we have with HIM or HIS people is changing me and I praise HIM for this time of sanctification.


Saturday, I had an amazing time in HIS Word just resting in HIM and preparing for the day of teaching the youth and young ladies of the club. The youth meeting went well…none of them did their homework on the gospel but we continued with our study of Who HE is and this week we had a new guy come to the meeting. HE is really rising up leaders of this ministry and HE continues to unite them like a family. I love that now I am only responsible for teaching…someone else is in charge of pastoral care, activities, mission field, pryr, and communication. I am pryng about who HE desires to take over my role to teach them His Truths clearly and drive them deeper into His Words. After this meeting, it was time for the young ladies of the club to come over. Only a couple of them actually came but those that HE desired to be there were there and I think that HE blessed them through our study. We spent lots of time in pryr for this ministry that HE is beginning and asking them to take more of a leadership role in this ministry. We did some brainstorming and planning to see how we can effectively reach each of the young ladies who need to hear His Truths and submit their lives to HIM. Please join us in pryr for this ministry and what HIS will is for each and every time we meet together.

It was a full week of watching HIM work in different ways in Cartagena, in Palenque, and in my life. Thank you so much for accompanying me on this journey. Thank you for pryng for these people. Thank you for pryng for me. You have no idea how much it means. Ask that HE will protect our minds and hearts as we head out to Palenque for the third full week in a row. Generally, something always presents itself to try to prevent us from spending this third full week out in Palenque. Ask that HE will protect us as we feel attacked and that there are some people doing things to us (witchcraft). Please cover us in pryr this week as we are out there.

This week, we finally head out to Palenque. It was a good car ride with Darlys as I listened and listened to her. She is extremely stressed and allowing her studies to control her life. We talked a lot about this and how she can better prioritize and rest in HIM. When we arrived, it was good to be back and hear what all HE had been doing while we were gone. We spent some time with Hrln  and Js Mnl just listening to them. We then headed down to the farm and had a great time in His Words with Ddr. She is really listening to His Spirit and has a pure desire for her family to all come together and study. It was a beautiful time together watching Him open her eyes to who HE desires her to be. We headed back to the house and ran into everyone who had everything to tell us. It was good to see that they were excited to see us and share with us their lives. We came back to the house, and ate dinner and as we prepared to leave to meet with a family, it began to rain. And it rained, and rained, and rained, and cut off the electricity…and so we stayed at the house. I spent more time with Daryls in His Words, we exercised, we pryd, and we went to bed. It was a good day of being back in the village after 3 weeks out and it was good to see HIM granting us favor in the eyes of the people.

Wednesday, we woke up to no electricity for the entire day but HE was so good in that it has never felt that good in Palenque…it was not cool but I was not sweating profusely! It was very refreshing. That morning, Darlys lead the devotional in the house with Js Mnl and Hrln on faith. It is so cool to watch Him grow her in her understanding of basic doctrinal Truths and then watch Him use her to teach them clearly! HE was definitely refining each one of us through the devotion. Afterwards, Darlys and I headed out to do some pryr walking and visit with a lady who had bought His Word and wanted to learn how to read it. It was a good time of just asking HIM where HE was working and seeking His Will for this village. We continue to proclaim that HE rise up a man to come to these people as we both feel that this village needs a man or a couple. When we arrived at the ladies house, she was washing and did not have time to meet with us so we planned for another time this week. And just as we were leaving, it began to pour down rain again. We arrive back at the house just before the storm hit, eat some lunch, and spend the next couple of hours pryng/planning/studying and resting. When the rain finally stopped, we headed out to visit with another lady who was not there. On our way back, we stopped by a families home to say hi and it turned into a perfect opportunity to teach His Truths. The entire family gathered around and we had a great time teaching His Stories to them. They go to the local club but are not family members…think that they are but there is not fruit at all. As they answered questions, read His Truths to answer those questions, they were definitely confronted by many things. They say that they are interested in studying each week but we will see what happens (as we have heard this before.) We left their house in time to walk Brody, eat some dinner, and get ready for all the youth to come for the meeting.

It was a good group of youth and it was just good to be with them again and hear about what they had been doing. The local YWAM M and her team had been leading this group while we were gone and as we listened to what they had been learning, it was good stuff…just not based in His Truth. One of the youth began to share with us, Yrc, a young lady whom many of you have been pryng for as she had been asking a lot of deeper questions. As she opened her mouth to speak and the way she acted all night, it was completely incredible. HE is working in your life. She openly speaks about grace and forgiveness and her sin and his love. She normally is someone we cannot control because she is always yelling about something or wanting to argue her point but tonight, she was calm and respectful. It was incredible the change that HE is making in her life. I spoke on Romans 12:1-2 and resisting the things of this world. We spent awhile reflecting on these verses and what they meant for us tonight. After our youth meeting, Darlys and I walk two of the youth back to their homes and take advantage of some time with them to hear their hearts. It was good to hear what HE is doing and how they are rebelling against His Will from their lips and them recognizing it.

When we make it back to the house as I am closing the gate and putting the padlock on it, Pdr comes up to say hey. Pdr is another young man whom you guys have been pryng for as I have felt from the HS that he is seeking something and doesn’t know that it is HIM. Each and every time that he has been with us, he is the young man who responds with, “man this is some serious stuff…you have confronted me…you have disarmed me…I am in shock”. He comes up to the gate and gives us his reason that he was not with us for our youth meeting and then begins to tell us all about this meeting he had. As we listen, the HS gives me His Word and after His Word to pour out over Pdr. Each time, he looks at me with that cute smile and that same phrase comes out of his mouth, “you have disarmed me.” I always remind him that it is the HS and not me that is disarming him and that he should go home, meditate on what we talked about, ask HIM what to do, and be obedient. I think we sat out there for like an hour listening, talking, and pryng. He eventually agrees to do just that and so we head into the house. That night, Darlys and I reflected on the day, pryd, and prepared for the next day.

Thursday, the group of YWAM m’s (who had arrived the day before for a presentation that was canceled in the plaza) left to head back to Cartagena. That morning the women came over for our weekly meeting. They shared with us the list of things that they would like to learn about and we shared some things that HE had placed on our hearts as well. It was neat to see how the very thing that Ktln said she had been asking HIM to answer was the very thing that two weeks ago, HE had placed on my heart to teach her. HE is so good like that and always connects us like that. I taught that morning and HE moved. It was just another great time in His Word and in His Presence! When we finished, we made some lunch and then headed to meet up with Krstn and Dncl. When we arrived, Krstn was not the same Krstn that we had seen the past couple of months. She had reverted back to the old self-involved and consumed angry person. It really hurt my heart to see her rejecting HIM and His Truth and relying on herself again. We shared some tough Truths with her and I was not easy with her…gentle but I spoke clearly…or I should say that HIS Words spoke clearly. She kept trying to change the subject and try to go back to her complaining and anger but we continued bringing her back to His Words. It was a long and tough hour but HE prevailed, as we always know HE does. As she pryd, her words were sincere and His Truths and her sin had broken her. While she was pryng, it began to rain and so we ended up having some more time with them and the fun loving Krstn who we know and love returned. It was neat to watch HIM answer our pryrs so quickly and use His powerful words to transform someone in front of our very own eyes.

We headed back to the house to refill water bottles, go to the bathroom, grab a snack, and prepare for our next meeting. We head down to the farm to meet with Mnl and his family. Because we had spoken to Ddr, we knew that the family had not met in the 3 weeks we had been gone nor had they done the homework that we had given them. As we sat asking why they had not met as a family to study and if they really did want to study, I felt HIM telling me to share a different story than the one we had planned on teaching. As I shared the story from Genesis 2 and 3, HE used it to bring them to a realization of where they were in their relation ship with HIM. There were many tears shed that afternoon but there was also a new light in their eyes as we spoke. After our study of His Word as a family, we began our English class. Not many of them had done that homework either, and so we spent some time reviewing making sentences in the present tense using the verbs and vocabulary that we had learned. It was a good night with this family and HE is definitely working in their lives. That night, Darlys and I spent time in His Word together and pryng and processing what HE had done all week. It was truly a great week of watching Him work in Palenque.

Friday morning as I was packing up the car, Pdr shows up. He begins to share more and more about his time with HIM all day Thursday and explains why he did not come to the house the entire day. HE is working in his life and His Truth is confronting Pdr. I just pry that HE opens his heart to understand His Truth and Will for his life. Darlys goes to a house to pick up a parakeet for Aida that a family was going to give us, we pick up some mangos we were going to give the families on the farm, and we end up with another parakeet. What a ride we had from Palenque to the farm that day, the two parakeets would not stop fighting and pooping. It was definitely a show you should have seen as Darlys started to disciple each of them and them fighting and pooping and Brody wanting to eat them and me…well, I was just laughing my head off. We had a good time at the farm. We spent time serving them in the kitchen, with the kids, and cleaning. None of the women came up to meet and I was disappointed that they did not come to start our study on fasting but not my will but His. I went down to see the Riffle’s and it was good to see the kids and see how they were doing. We had to leave early because I was meeting one of the girls I am discipling at the mall at 4:00. We say goodbye and I get home to find a lovely mess awaiting me.

The upstairs toilet had been leaking water (for how long I do not know) and had flooded the entire upstairs. Needless to say, I was tired, dirty, and not ready for this. I pryd for patience, called the girl to tell her I could not come, and then began cleaning and repairing. After everything was clean, I took a shower, made some dinner and watched a movie. Oh what a day…but HE was glorified!

Saturday, I had a good morning with HIM. Darlys came over to make brownies because she wants to sell them as a way to earn money to pay for schooling and the ministry in Palenque. The youth came over for our meeting and we talked about the gospel. They had homework of going through several gospel tracts that I had given them to tell me if they were doctrinally sound, where they lacked, and if they would use them. As some of them did not do their homework, it was still a good discussion. What I loved the most was the fact that they were thinking and searching Scripture together all based on the gospel message!! None of them left here satisfied with what they had discovered but hungry to dig deeper to finish the homework for the next week’s discussion. I love how HE is growing these youth in HIM! It is so fun to watch. That night, Darlys spent the night to work on a project and I helped her finish her brownies and get them packaged and ready to be sold the next day at the local club. As I was studying for the SS class the next day, Pdr called me. He begins to tell me how HE has opened his eyes and how he had been blinded by the world for a long time. He said that he was blind but that Gd opened his eyes and he can now see and understand the things that I had told him about. As he began to share this with me, I hit my knees and began to cry. OH WHAT A SAVIOR!! HE had saved one of his own in Palenque just like we had asked. HE had used HIS Words to draw Pdr to HIM, to confront him, and HE was changing his heart. Pdr told me he had never felt such a peace and tranquility in all of his life. He was so excited for us to come back next Tuesday and begin teaching him more about his new heart. 

THANK YOU JSS!! And thank you for pryng…I am going to hit my knees and worship a DAD Who hears us and calls His people to Him!!

For three weeks, we were not able to go into Palenque. Each and every week it is a fight for us to leave Cartagena and head into Palenque. Each week when it looked as if the door was shutting, I would hit my knees and ask what it was that HE desired for my week. Some days it was a full day on my knees, repenting, pleading, praising, or in silence. Some days it was full of divine appointments with people I know or people I may never see again. Each day was a blessing even though I did not understand why we were not able to go to Palenque and each day I just rested in His Sovereign Hands and waited to obey.

HE did so much during these three weeks that I do not want to go into detail but hit the highlights. Once again I am sorry that I am uploading all of this now, but the internet and power have not been very consistent here lately…don’t you worry…the heat has been consistent and strong!

My times at His feet were incredible. I am in Philippians and learning so much about just how far off I was in my obedience of what is commanded of us through this letter. One day, I was looking at the heart and attitudes of Jss, Paul, Timothy, and Ephroditus. I made a list of what the Word said about each one of them, their actions, and then compared myself to them. We all know where I landed in the comparison to Jss…and Paul wasn’t that far off as well. The streak continued as I do not act or think like Timothy and my  by final hope, did not come close to his heart and actions as well. What I learned from these men was that they love the people of Philippi more than they did themselves. They only thought of others to the point that Paul said that he is remaining in the flesh because it is better for their sakes…not his. This made me think, how much do I love my people? Have I been pryng asking what is the best for the sake of my people if I stay or go? Have I been more concerned about them than future vision that HE has given me for my next adventure with Him? I began to earnestly seek His face and ask His timing for my departure from here. I had always assumed because I knew the next step, that naturally He would want me to begin the next step as soon as possible. Assuming has never been a good idea and so I relinquished all into His Hands and was lead to fast and pry for His timing and His heart for my people. It was another humbling experience to say the least!

The group of young ladies has met twice now. I am really not sure what HE wants me to do with this group of ladies. I know it is a new ministry, it is something that is needed, but I am not sure what HE desires. I thought He wanted me to teach them His Truths (basic doctrine), form a group of young ladies who knew who they were in Him, move them towards outreach (with prostitutes and the widows) but now I am not sure that they are there. They seem to only be interested in activities and not HIM. I have sought His face and just pry each meeting that HE brings whom HE desires and do not worry about the numbers. The first meeting there was 3 of us but it was a sweet time of getting to know a new girl who recently moved here from Bogota. It was good for me to hear her testimony, her doubts, her goals, etc. Darlys had begun to disciple her and so it was cool for me to see their relationship that had been forming. She is hungry and ate up every word that I spoke from His Word. The second meeting, there were 6 of us including one of the young married ladies that I had invited. The young ladies here have no idea who they are in Chrst and what HE has called them to be. They are searching for all kinds of things in men and things…and this includes the young married ladies. We had a good discussion on some basic Spiritual Truths. It is crazy to me that some of these ladies have been in club for their entire lives and look at me like I am speaking another language – that this is the first time that they have heard this liberating Truth. Please join me in pryr as I seek His face for His goal for this ministry and each step He desires us to take to reach that goal.

The sports ministry team is going great!! After HE revealed to me 2 months ago that I need to continue my one on one discipleship of each member, He has opened up their hearts to new Truths and ignited new passions within them. We had a great discussion on the gospel, their testimonies, and as we shared HE revealed so much to me about where they were spiritually. I praise HIM for His Spirit that always shows me things that only HE sees and knows. I have spent time individually with each one talking about their testimonies, sharing the gospel with them, and giving them a chance to practice with me. I have found that if they don’t practice with someone they know, then they will never share with someone they do not know for fear of messing up.

One HUGE DAD story was that of Edgrd. He is one of the newest members of the group who was brought it and never really discipled by the young man who brought him into the group.  Over the past year and a half, I have watched HIM speak clearly to Edgrd and open his eyes to different Truths and ways of thinking. Edgrd was very resistant and proud at first and did not want to accept what His Word was saying but during our long study in Romans, HE opened his heart to understand!! But as I asked them to share their testimonies, Edgrd had problems communicating when and how HE came to know Chrst and submit to His Lordship. I had one of the other youth work with him during the week and this past Saturday, Edgrd came early (as always) for the study. As I asked him to tell me his testimony, he still was talking about his club this, his pastor that, and never really sharing how he met Chrst, how he understood that he was a sinner, and when HE opened his heart, gave him faith, and Edgrd truly believed and repented. I started asking a bunch of different questions, trying to get him to either confess that he did not have a personal relationship or be honest when he first understood. Edgrd began to cry and then apologized for crying in front of me. He then clearly communicated that it was during the Romans study that he surrendered his life to Chrst and became a Chrstn. It was hard for him to accept but as he spoke so clearly, I told him that this is when and how he came to know the Lrd and surrender his life. He said he was embarrassed because he had been baptized, been in club,and a part of the ministry for a year and a half. I reminded him that his salvation does not come from him but from HIM. HE opened his heart at the perfect time. If you could have seen the look on his face as he told me all of this and as I reassured him that he had nothing to be embarrassed about, it was incredible! It was TOTALLY a divine appointment.

With the sports ministry team, we had a night of riding bikes through the old city, shared some food on the wall, and had some worship/pryr time. It was a lot of fun and really united the group. HE is doing some incredible things through this group. Please continue to pry for them!!


With the girls that I am discipling, HE is moving in their hearts and at least they have been honest with me and consistent. One struggles with pride and prides herself in how quiet she is and how she doesn’t speak too much. One struggles with guys and looking to them for everything and not running from temptation but flirty and hugging temptation. One is finding herself in HIM and seeing just how little she knows of Him and His Word. All three are very different but all are at least living with a hunger to meet and know more…what are they exactly searching for, they do not know but HE is showing them! Please continue to ask for wisdom with each girl and that they will continue to be open and honest with me and with themselves.

In the youth SS and with the youth sports ministry team, I have begun teaching the Who is Dad material from Platt. It is evident that they truly do not know Who He is because if they truly did, they would not struggle with basic Truths, fighting against His Will, and ultimately surrendering their lives to His Lrdshp. It has been interesting to watch them after each study, sit in silence. At first, I thought they did not understand one word that I spoke but then after speaking with them I understood that they were in shock. It was the first time for many of them that they had head these things about HIM. This was a sad truth for me to hear but has made me hit my knees and study more each day so that I can accurately present this AMAZING DAD we serve to them in a way that they can understand and HE can use for His glory! 

What a privilege I have had to see HIM work in all areas of my life and I was not even with my people in Palenque. Oh, how I praise HIM for allowing me to watch HIM transform lives all around me! What an honor! What a Savior!!    

So the mission conference was an extremely exciting time to watch HIM move in ways that I did not even expect. First, Darlys and I head out to San Fransisco to help a local club and Compassion site for the afternoon. The plan was that more people from the local club would assist us but we went and it was a blessing. It was neat to be in this neighborhood finally that I have been pryng over for years. The need is so great here and the youth were very responsive to us, not only when we were playing soccer but as I was sharing my testimony and His Story with them. (These were youth guys 16-20 and did not make fun of me or disrupt…but actually listened and asked when we were coming back.) Please join me in pryr as we pry over the possibility of serving here with the youth sports ministry team.

 Next, Jorge comes into town and it was good to catch up with him again. We had a great time together and he helped me finish the last of the details for the conference. Friday we spent the AM together in study of His Word, pryr, and getting the house ready for the many guests that I was about to receive. We went to the airport to pick up the band that afternoon. It was so great to see them again and hear what HE had been doing in their lives. Not to mention, my amazing sister had sent me some Cinnabons and some American goodies that we cannot get here in Cartagena. I would have preferred to have her here but the goodies were a nice second prize to having her here with me. They unloaded some stuff, ate some snacks, drank lots of water, and then we packed up and headed to the club for the first night of the conference.

There was a good turnout for the conference for the first day. A gentleman from YWAM spoke about his history, his calling, and his ministry in Spain. One of the most exciting things was to see people I had not seen in many months and years. There were several different indigenous people whom I had worked with before and pastors there for the weekend. It was great to see their faces and reconnect with them for a little bit. After the conference, the group ate and we headed back to the apt. They spent time planning for the next day while Marcela (one of the band member’s girlfriend) and I set up the beds, air mattresses and prepare to go to sleep. It had been a long day but HE gave me some time to listen to Marcela and what HE has been doing in her life. She has a design company that she and her friend created. They have T-shirts, buttons, stickers, etc that they design and sell with the gospel message on them. They also have tracks that they have made with one of the truest forms of the gospel message that I have seen in Colombia that they give away to people. It was cool listening to the vision that HE has given her for her ministry and company!

Saturday, we wake up super early…I spend time alone with Him and then wake the group up to get ready. Luis Fernando and I were the first ones to teach that day and so I had to be there early. When I arrived, someone told me that I was in one room to teach…so I entered and begin to pry over the room and what HE was going to do through this time. Luis Fernando had yet to arrive when another M came into the room and told me that this was his room. At first, I was a little disappointed (as this room had AC) but it turned out to be a blessing that they had placed us in the sanctuary.     

Being in Colombia, you know that no one is going to arrive on time for anything (not even my co-teacher) and so HE used us in the sanctuary as a place where people entered to come to the conference and just stayed with us thinking that we were the only workshop. It was cool and I praise HIM for the amount of people HE brought to hear HIS TRUE GOSPEL message. 

After our workshop, we had a break and HE continued to bless me. HE had brought more people that I had not seen in years and allowed me to hear what HE has been doing in their lives. There were people from all over whom we have visited to train in sports ministry, telling stories, and etc. I listened to two Wayuu Indians telling me how HE had been using the sports ministry to reach other tribes and had called one of them out to be a M. He was now serving in another indigenous group using sports to share the gospel message. PRAISE HIM!

After the break, Felipe and the band taught their workshop on the Resistance movement that they had started in and around Bogota. There was a good turnout of youth from all over who came to hear this much-needed message. It was really amazing to watch HIM use these guys to share Truth with a group of complacent teenagers. Not all of them signed the pact to resist things of this world and all HIM to transform them but there was a good number of youth who I am working with who did and now I can hold them accountable of this. 

We broke for lunch and after I had gotten the band settled with their food…HE blessed me with more and more conversations with people from all over. Hearing their stories of how HE is moving was such refreshment for me. HE showed me how those times when we went out to train different groups that they just didn’t go to the training but they put it in to practice and HE was calling people to HIM as a result of their obedience! So thank you for pryng and praise HIM that HE has answered our pryrs…even from 4 years ago!!

Well, the second group of workshops began but they had run out of food for the lunches and so Jorge and I had not eaten as we were serving and ministering to others. So once everyone was where they needed to be, we headed next door to the mall to eat and the band came to eat ice cream with us. It was a great time of relaxing in some AC and just being together. I was blessed to hear their stories and encourage some of them with His Truths. I feel like these guys are my little brothers and they are truly goofy!   

We headed back to the club to get ready for their concert. Oh what a blessing to have them here. The youth were drawn to them as they lead us to the Throne to worship. I am so thankful that HE provided for the group to come for this weekend.

After their concert, I once again got them settled with their dinner, water, etc and helped Marcela sell their CDs and her shirts. It was neat to watch each of them minister to the people in their own ways…HE definitely united us as a team. Once they were all settled and ready to begin the worship service, I left to go home and walk Brody and eat dinner. Jorge and Marcela came with me to take showers and eat as well. We relaxed for a little bit and then headed back to the club to listen to another M story through Jonah. This M truly loves HIM and it shows. HE has given him so many gifts and encouraging words for me. I praise HIM for this man and that all of these people had the privilege of listening to HIM through a fellow M. After everything was finished, it was late but the guys couldn’t decide if they wanted to go out or not. After some conversations, they decided they wanted to eat street food from the coast and so that is what we did.

Sunday, we were able to sleep a little bit more because we were all exhausted from the full day on Saturday. We head to the club and prepare for the first worship service. It was great to hear the different testimonies of these different people groups from all over Colombia and how HE was moving amongst their people and how we can pry for them. 

After the worship service, we made sure the group ate lunch and spent some time listening to one of the Wiwa Indians share about her community. It was such a blessing to hear how HE had saved her and how HE had given her a passion for her people. It was beautiful and it all started years ago in Bogota in the ministry where Kerri had worked. It was so cool to hear HIS faithfulness throughout the past 6 years of this girl’s life. When the other workshops began, we decided to take the band to the house to relax, swim in the pool, and just rest in HIM. Marcela and I had some great time to talk and encourage one another. She is truly a blessing and I praise HIM for her friendship. 

That night, we headed to the club for the last service. One of the Ms from the board spoke on his time in Cuba. It was neat to hear from him and see what is really going on in Cuba. I have heard for years about this incredible movement going on but it was really neat to hear from someone who has actually seen it! That evening, there was a call to be on mission and several young ladies whom I had been working with came forward. It was an honor to pry over them and to now hold them accountable for what HE has called them to and what they promised to do. 

The last blessing happened that night as Mrhls and her family came to this service! What a blessing to see them and hug them and I was truly speechless. It was a perfect way to end a time of hearing the faithfulness of HIM when we are obedient to go and do and pry (even when it doesn’t make sense.) What an AMAZING DAD we serve. What an honor to see first hand the transformation power of The Almighty in the lives of people that I have worked with, served beside, and pryd over!

Once everyone had said their goodbyes, the group of us headed to Centro to walk around and for some of them to see it as they had never been to Cartagena before. These guys are completely goofy but love HIM more than all other things. It was fun to just walk around and show them another side of the city. Once again they were hungry, so we headed back to the little street food vender in my neighborhood so that they could eat the amazing coastal fried goodness! I think we managed to get home at 2:00AM and I fell asleep immediately.

Monday morning, we all slept in until 8-ish which was such a blessing. We had a great devo together that morning and a time of worship and pryr. I had to go to a meeting with the other M’s who were in town and I dropped the group off at the beach. During my meeting He showed Himself faithful once again, as HE reacted for me as I was tested once again with certain people. I praise HIM for Him killing yet more of my flesh and allowing me to live in His Spirit and Truth. I headed back to the house to eat lunch and wait to hear from the group. I went to pick them up, they hurried to take showers, and they were gone. It felt like time had flown by but yet HE had done so much in such a short amount of time. Thank you for pryng for this weekend. HE was truly glorified and there are some people who committed to serving HIM. Pry that people will disciple these newly called ambassadors and that they will be obediently to His calling on their lives. Ask that this was not just a weekend conference but that HE will use the teachings to strengthen them in HIM and make them into instruments of His righteousness.

A HUGE THANKS TO MARCELA for all the photos! She is amazing!!!