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