Ugh....I love Colombia and it's internet! This will be take number 2 on this post, as I was just finished with the other one and the internet went away and so did my entry! I am asking HIM that HE again write down what HE did last week here in Cartagena and that I won't try to rush it before the power goes out again.
First, I wanted you to know that I have been pryng for you as you deal with this difficult and painful injury! I ask that HE heals you in HIS Time. And while you wait, I have asked that you just be still and know Who He is and rest in HIM. I ask that you learn whatever HE wants to teach you through this situation and I can't wait to hear what that is! I love you and hate it when you are hurt...especially when it is an injury that I feel like "I" could do something to help! HE reminds me so quickly that I can do nothing but HE is the Great Physician!
So Monday was full of the usual, reports for the week...paperwork...planning...all of my favorite things! I am trying to look at these things that I consider to be so mundane, with HIS eyes and realize that I need to joyfully complete these tasks as they too, bring HIM glory! You can join me in pryr about this as I try to glorify HIM by obediently and joyfully completing the paperwork that makes it possible for me to work here! That night in the Truth Project, we had another amazing discussion. I am enjoying watching HIM challenge this group through HIS Words. They are finally realizing that they do not nor do they need to have all the answers...HE does and is waiting to share everything with HIM if they will just stop trying and start seeking. This group has grown together and have allowed HIM to knock down several walls that was keeping them from being truly transparent with each other. We only have one more session and I am interested to see what they will do with all of this new knowledge of HIM and what their Biblical worldview should look like!
Tuesday, we had a great group for the study as we began the Sermon on the Mount with the ladies. Ruth and I just sat and watched as they processed, talked through, and unpacked each verse of the beatitudes. It was beautiful to hear them share the insights that the HS had shared with them and how each one was able to apply these verses to their lives. I am constantly challenged by how every verse they read of HIS Love Letters creates a deeper hunger for more and more of HIM. But isn't that how it should be? Shouldn't the same thing happen to us when we open up His Words for us...shouldn't this create a deep hunger for Our Daily Bread, a thirst for one more sip from the Living Water, and desire for one more glimpse of Him? We all know that HE told us through Moses that man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that leaves the mouth of HIM! Now it is time we live it! The next time you open up His Words to drink and eat and see what HE has for you, ask HIM to create a deep hunger, thirst and desire for more and more of HIM! Oh, that our 30 minutes or 2 hours alone with HIM would not be enough to satisfy us!!
I met Matt for lunch and coffee after the study. It was a great time of sharing and listening. He is about to marry Alicia, a Colombian, and has no idea what He has planned for them. As I sat and listened to HIM, I was reminded of our memory verse from the mini retreat... Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HS, Who is in you , Whom you have received from DAD? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor Dad with your body. (1 cor 6:19-20) HE used these words to remind Matt that he is dead, not in control, nor the owner of anything...so why worry about what is to come? OUR FATHER has everything under control, HE gives and takes away...it is time for us to get on our knees and ask HIM what HE wants to do with us today and that is it. It was a sweet time of fellowship and sharing HIS love.
That night we had a meeting at Brian's with his team. It was a normal meeting...we sang, we heard a story, we talked about the story, we went over the upcoming schedule, and we ate. But before we ate his famous beans and cornbread, Mrhls shared with us her heart and what is going on in her life. It was beautiful as you could literally see HIM tearing down all of her walls, stripping her of herself, and exposing her for who she is...the beautiful and faithful servant of HIM. She shared with us the huge change that HE had done in her life. She described the ugly person she was before she met HIM and now the joyful godly woman that she is now. She gave thanks to HIM for this transformation. And then she shared with us that her husband doesn't want to be married to her anymore. He does not like the new Mrhls and wants to be with another woman. 11 years of marriage, 3 children, a house...and he is done. She is crushed and does not know what to do. In the midst of her tears and pain, she smiles and says that she knows that HE is in control. She is going to pry for her husband. She is going to continue to love her husband. But she is not going to return to the old Mrhls that he claims that he loves more...the Mrhls that would beat him, yell at him, and order him around. She recognized that this was just of the enemy and that the battle has been won. It was incredible to watch her share her heart, see the weight be lifted up off her shoulders, and the peacefulness that filled her face. We pryd for her. We continue to pry for, so I ask that you specifically lift her up right now as she is struggling. Tell the club. Tell everyone you know to pry for her as she clings to HIM and continues to obediently serve HIM...come what may!
Wednesday was filled with discipleship with the youth and more preparing for the weekend. I am still waiting patiently on meetings with the local pastors. I am not sure when/who/where it will happen but I trust that HE will ordain the time for us to meet and for them to get on board with this work. Today in my time with HIM, HE revealed to me that HE does want me to stay here in Cartagena...for how long, who knows. I am praising HIM that HE has opened up the door for me to stay here to finish what HE started and watch HIM begin another work with a group of people who has no idea Who HE is! I obediently went to ask Brian what would be best for the work here...15 months or 2 years. His response was a little shocking but I took what he told me as my supervisor and went back to my knees. I sent emails to the two people that he suggested and waited to hear what they might have to say...and went back to my knees.
Thursday was another day in Arjona and boy was it HOT! Seriously, the weather has definitely changed from when the girls were here! Like Tim says, it is HOT HOT HOT here in Cartagena! I worked with Rphl today. We first went to Ptrc (the newest displaced family that we have opened their home to us) and met her with and her husband Alx. They are such an incredible couple and had so many questions about HIS Words today. Not to mention, they opened up and shared with us about their personal lives. Now they are not from the coast, they are paisas and generally they are a little more reserved. HE is definitely working in their lives but they have been lied to their entire lives through their strong Catholic heritage. Please pry for Ptrc and Alx as they bought HIS BOOK and are reading it together...ask that HE will speak to them clearly through HIS Words. After that we went to Mrm's house, where we found her in the streets inviting her neighbors to come to the study today. She gets it...she really gets it! We had a huge group today and a great discussion with them. After we were finished, we asked for pryr requests. One woman, Krn shared that she really just wants to know HIM more. So we pryd, said goodbye, and were on our way to another home when Krn stopped me and asked me to come and talk to her. She began to cry and tell me how she wants to know HIM and wants her to save HIM. She started pouring her heart out and the HS told me that she was ready. So I told her to tell HIM all of that and accept HIM as her Lrd and Svr of her life. She said she did not know how to pry and I quickly responded tell HIM exactly what you told me. And Mom, I have not heard such a gorgeous and pure pryr in a long time. She just poured her heart out to HIM, asking for forgivness, and asking HIM to save her. She was too cute at the end because she did not know how to end her pryr but when she said amen, I looked at her, wiped her tears and saw a completely different Krn! It was beautiful to see how she had light in her eyes now and a smile on her face. She told me that she felt like a weight had been lifted from her and did not know what to do now. So we shared some things that she is to do as a follower of HIM and invited her to the study on Tuesdays. Please pry for Krn as she is just getting started and the devil will want to destroy this excitement and desire to get to know HIM more!
That afternoon, I went with Rphl again out to the farm to spend some time with my family! It was great to see Alx, Hd, Crln, and all the kids! I shared a card that the girls had written to Hd and she began to cry with excitement. Today, Rph told the story, Alx read the story, and then Alx told the story almost word for word from HIS Book! And then the profound and deep answers that he has from the story...it is nothing short of the HS working in his life! I love it! I can't get enough and cherish every day that I get to go out and love on these beautiful people! I had some time to sit and love on the women...I think I want to do the interior beauty study with them soon. We then went to Sndr's house and had a great discussion with the girls there. Again, HE opened up the door for me (the only girl) to share with them and love on them. It was neat to feel like HE was using me today to encourage and love on HIS daughters! Then we head to Senora Mr's house where she too has been out inviting people to her house to hear HIS Words. They are very new to HIS Truths but it is so cool to watch them digest what these stories are saying to them and how HE is speaking to them through each story. It is cool. After that, we waited for the other groups to get finished and then on B as he talked to some people. It was a long day...a great day...but we didn't get back until 9:30pm!! All I could think was that I was glad that B was not there last week when the girls were here...they would have died being out that long!
Friday was a great day with HIM, in HIS WORD and just resting in HIM. I started the book Crazy Love finally and spent the rest of the afternoon just resting in HIM. That night we had an activity with the youth that went well...it was short but was a good time of fellowship.
Saturday, we did not have a full group to work in NM but HE always provides the energy and patience and love to give each and every youth. We started teaching them how to play volleyball and they are actually good! We also began to disciple each group...the plan was to start this with the believers who recently accepted but with the limited people, we were unable to do that! It went well and gave me some time to love on/encourage our youth leaders on the bus ride home. That afternoon, the Paul's and three youth leaders headed out to VE without me. I had to go to a wedding that night and did not have time to work and be back for the wedding. Eric came over that afternoon and we had a nice time just sharing about what HE is doing in each of our lives. Then we headed out the wedding marathon. It was a good and long night. I had the opportunity to get to know the two families who have moved here to start the orphanage. I only knew the two husbands and Matt but got to meet the wives and the 8 children that they have. And then I began my M duties of playing with the kids during the wedding. The poor kids were hot and hungry...we did not get food for them until 10:00pm!! (which was an ordeal within itself but thankfully I am a strong-willed American who knows spanish and we serve a big Dad who opened the door for me to be my usual bossy/annoying self until we got these kids some food!) We finally got fed at 11:30pm...it was a LONG night of playing with kids, distracting them, and listening to the hearts of these families.
Yesterday, the youth leaders and myself headed out to Turbaco to encourage the youth out there. It was a great time of fellowship and watching the youth truly be the body of Chrst amongst each other. That afternoon, we had a huge amount of youth there to help us and it was a blessing! It was hotter than it had been, so we did not play quite as long...I mean, I was dripping sweat without moving! On the way home, I had an opportunity to listen to Drlys and encourage her. We celebrated a little with Ruth for her birthday and then I headed to bead.
Today has been more reports but I am doing better by adjusting my attitude. HE confirmed to me today through HIS Words, "The Lrd of hosts has sworn: As I have planned so shall it be, as I have purposed, so shall it stand...This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lrd. of host has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" Isaiah 14:24-27 HE wants me to stay here for 2 more years. HE has planned it and purposed me for this work. Although I feel incredibly inadequate to do anything, HE is more than adequate! I am excited that I will be coming home to see you guys for a couple of months, to tell others what HE has revealed to me for this next chapter of my life, and to rest in HIM! Please be pryr as I have to start the medical process...ask that it is a smooth process and will be HE will carry me through it all.
Alright, going to finish another report...with JOY and a SMILE! WoooHooo!! I love you, Mom! Can't wait to hear about Kerri's trip and am excited for her to come down here! Have a great Monday!
First, I wanted you to know that I have been pryng for you as you deal with this difficult and painful injury! I ask that HE heals you in HIS Time. And while you wait, I have asked that you just be still and know Who He is and rest in HIM. I ask that you learn whatever HE wants to teach you through this situation and I can't wait to hear what that is! I love you and hate it when you are hurt...especially when it is an injury that I feel like "I" could do something to help! HE reminds me so quickly that I can do nothing but HE is the Great Physician!
So Monday was full of the usual, reports for the week...paperwork...planning...all of my favorite things! I am trying to look at these things that I consider to be so mundane, with HIS eyes and realize that I need to joyfully complete these tasks as they too, bring HIM glory! You can join me in pryr about this as I try to glorify HIM by obediently and joyfully completing the paperwork that makes it possible for me to work here! That night in the Truth Project, we had another amazing discussion. I am enjoying watching HIM challenge this group through HIS Words. They are finally realizing that they do not nor do they need to have all the answers...HE does and is waiting to share everything with HIM if they will just stop trying and start seeking. This group has grown together and have allowed HIM to knock down several walls that was keeping them from being truly transparent with each other. We only have one more session and I am interested to see what they will do with all of this new knowledge of HIM and what their Biblical worldview should look like!
Tuesday, we had a great group for the study as we began the Sermon on the Mount with the ladies. Ruth and I just sat and watched as they processed, talked through, and unpacked each verse of the beatitudes. It was beautiful to hear them share the insights that the HS had shared with them and how each one was able to apply these verses to their lives. I am constantly challenged by how every verse they read of HIS Love Letters creates a deeper hunger for more and more of HIM. But isn't that how it should be? Shouldn't the same thing happen to us when we open up His Words for us...shouldn't this create a deep hunger for Our Daily Bread, a thirst for one more sip from the Living Water, and desire for one more glimpse of Him? We all know that HE told us through Moses that man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that leaves the mouth of HIM! Now it is time we live it! The next time you open up His Words to drink and eat and see what HE has for you, ask HIM to create a deep hunger, thirst and desire for more and more of HIM! Oh, that our 30 minutes or 2 hours alone with HIM would not be enough to satisfy us!!
I met Matt for lunch and coffee after the study. It was a great time of sharing and listening. He is about to marry Alicia, a Colombian, and has no idea what He has planned for them. As I sat and listened to HIM, I was reminded of our memory verse from the mini retreat... Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HS, Who is in you , Whom you have received from DAD? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor Dad with your body. (1 cor 6:19-20) HE used these words to remind Matt that he is dead, not in control, nor the owner of anything...so why worry about what is to come? OUR FATHER has everything under control, HE gives and takes away...it is time for us to get on our knees and ask HIM what HE wants to do with us today and that is it. It was a sweet time of fellowship and sharing HIS love.
That night we had a meeting at Brian's with his team. It was a normal meeting...we sang, we heard a story, we talked about the story, we went over the upcoming schedule, and we ate. But before we ate his famous beans and cornbread, Mrhls shared with us her heart and what is going on in her life. It was beautiful as you could literally see HIM tearing down all of her walls, stripping her of herself, and exposing her for who she is...the beautiful and faithful servant of HIM. She shared with us the huge change that HE had done in her life. She described the ugly person she was before she met HIM and now the joyful godly woman that she is now. She gave thanks to HIM for this transformation. And then she shared with us that her husband doesn't want to be married to her anymore. He does not like the new Mrhls and wants to be with another woman. 11 years of marriage, 3 children, a house...and he is done. She is crushed and does not know what to do. In the midst of her tears and pain, she smiles and says that she knows that HE is in control. She is going to pry for her husband. She is going to continue to love her husband. But she is not going to return to the old Mrhls that he claims that he loves more...the Mrhls that would beat him, yell at him, and order him around. She recognized that this was just of the enemy and that the battle has been won. It was incredible to watch her share her heart, see the weight be lifted up off her shoulders, and the peacefulness that filled her face. We pryd for her. We continue to pry for, so I ask that you specifically lift her up right now as she is struggling. Tell the club. Tell everyone you know to pry for her as she clings to HIM and continues to obediently serve HIM...come what may!
Wednesday was filled with discipleship with the youth and more preparing for the weekend. I am still waiting patiently on meetings with the local pastors. I am not sure when/who/where it will happen but I trust that HE will ordain the time for us to meet and for them to get on board with this work. Today in my time with HIM, HE revealed to me that HE does want me to stay here in Cartagena...for how long, who knows. I am praising HIM that HE has opened up the door for me to stay here to finish what HE started and watch HIM begin another work with a group of people who has no idea Who HE is! I obediently went to ask Brian what would be best for the work here...15 months or 2 years. His response was a little shocking but I took what he told me as my supervisor and went back to my knees. I sent emails to the two people that he suggested and waited to hear what they might have to say...and went back to my knees.
Thursday was another day in Arjona and boy was it HOT! Seriously, the weather has definitely changed from when the girls were here! Like Tim says, it is HOT HOT HOT here in Cartagena! I worked with Rphl today. We first went to Ptrc (the newest displaced family that we have opened their home to us) and met her with and her husband Alx. They are such an incredible couple and had so many questions about HIS Words today. Not to mention, they opened up and shared with us about their personal lives. Now they are not from the coast, they are paisas and generally they are a little more reserved. HE is definitely working in their lives but they have been lied to their entire lives through their strong Catholic heritage. Please pry for Ptrc and Alx as they bought HIS BOOK and are reading it together...ask that HE will speak to them clearly through HIS Words. After that we went to Mrm's house, where we found her in the streets inviting her neighbors to come to the study today. She gets it...she really gets it! We had a huge group today and a great discussion with them. After we were finished, we asked for pryr requests. One woman, Krn shared that she really just wants to know HIM more. So we pryd, said goodbye, and were on our way to another home when Krn stopped me and asked me to come and talk to her. She began to cry and tell me how she wants to know HIM and wants her to save HIM. She started pouring her heart out and the HS told me that she was ready. So I told her to tell HIM all of that and accept HIM as her Lrd and Svr of her life. She said she did not know how to pry and I quickly responded tell HIM exactly what you told me. And Mom, I have not heard such a gorgeous and pure pryr in a long time. She just poured her heart out to HIM, asking for forgivness, and asking HIM to save her. She was too cute at the end because she did not know how to end her pryr but when she said amen, I looked at her, wiped her tears and saw a completely different Krn! It was beautiful to see how she had light in her eyes now and a smile on her face. She told me that she felt like a weight had been lifted from her and did not know what to do now. So we shared some things that she is to do as a follower of HIM and invited her to the study on Tuesdays. Please pry for Krn as she is just getting started and the devil will want to destroy this excitement and desire to get to know HIM more!
That afternoon, I went with Rphl again out to the farm to spend some time with my family! It was great to see Alx, Hd, Crln, and all the kids! I shared a card that the girls had written to Hd and she began to cry with excitement. Today, Rph told the story, Alx read the story, and then Alx told the story almost word for word from HIS Book! And then the profound and deep answers that he has from the story...it is nothing short of the HS working in his life! I love it! I can't get enough and cherish every day that I get to go out and love on these beautiful people! I had some time to sit and love on the women...I think I want to do the interior beauty study with them soon. We then went to Sndr's house and had a great discussion with the girls there. Again, HE opened up the door for me (the only girl) to share with them and love on them. It was neat to feel like HE was using me today to encourage and love on HIS daughters! Then we head to Senora Mr's house where she too has been out inviting people to her house to hear HIS Words. They are very new to HIS Truths but it is so cool to watch them digest what these stories are saying to them and how HE is speaking to them through each story. It is cool. After that, we waited for the other groups to get finished and then on B as he talked to some people. It was a long day...a great day...but we didn't get back until 9:30pm!! All I could think was that I was glad that B was not there last week when the girls were here...they would have died being out that long!
Friday was a great day with HIM, in HIS WORD and just resting in HIM. I started the book Crazy Love finally and spent the rest of the afternoon just resting in HIM. That night we had an activity with the youth that went well...it was short but was a good time of fellowship.
Saturday, we did not have a full group to work in NM but HE always provides the energy and patience and love to give each and every youth. We started teaching them how to play volleyball and they are actually good! We also began to disciple each group...the plan was to start this with the believers who recently accepted but with the limited people, we were unable to do that! It went well and gave me some time to love on/encourage our youth leaders on the bus ride home. That afternoon, the Paul's and three youth leaders headed out to VE without me. I had to go to a wedding that night and did not have time to work and be back for the wedding. Eric came over that afternoon and we had a nice time just sharing about what HE is doing in each of our lives. Then we headed out the wedding marathon. It was a good and long night. I had the opportunity to get to know the two families who have moved here to start the orphanage. I only knew the two husbands and Matt but got to meet the wives and the 8 children that they have. And then I began my M duties of playing with the kids during the wedding. The poor kids were hot and hungry...we did not get food for them until 10:00pm!! (which was an ordeal within itself but thankfully I am a strong-willed American who knows spanish and we serve a big Dad who opened the door for me to be my usual bossy/annoying self until we got these kids some food!) We finally got fed at 11:30pm...it was a LONG night of playing with kids, distracting them, and listening to the hearts of these families.
Yesterday, the youth leaders and myself headed out to Turbaco to encourage the youth out there. It was a great time of fellowship and watching the youth truly be the body of Chrst amongst each other. That afternoon, we had a huge amount of youth there to help us and it was a blessing! It was hotter than it had been, so we did not play quite as long...I mean, I was dripping sweat without moving! On the way home, I had an opportunity to listen to Drlys and encourage her. We celebrated a little with Ruth for her birthday and then I headed to bead.
Today has been more reports but I am doing better by adjusting my attitude. HE confirmed to me today through HIS Words, "The Lrd of hosts has sworn: As I have planned so shall it be, as I have purposed, so shall it stand...This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lrd. of host has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" Isaiah 14:24-27 HE wants me to stay here for 2 more years. HE has planned it and purposed me for this work. Although I feel incredibly inadequate to do anything, HE is more than adequate! I am excited that I will be coming home to see you guys for a couple of months, to tell others what HE has revealed to me for this next chapter of my life, and to rest in HIM! Please be pryr as I have to start the medical process...ask that it is a smooth process and will be HE will carry me through it all.
Alright, going to finish another report...with JOY and a SMILE! WoooHooo!! I love you, Mom! Can't wait to hear about Kerri's trip and am excited for her to come down here! Have a great Monday!
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