Last Sunday 11/21
We had another busy week and weekend, and on top of that, I’ve had a sinus infection for about a week now. I was in bed most of the day today, and by the grace of God I managed to get some good sleep. My 9 roommates were not in the room most of the day, so I was so grateful for them allowing me to rest.
We had a great week on relationships with Marjolein, and really enjoyed the truths she shared even though I was convicted of my lack of humility and patience repeatedly. We discussed ways to cultivate humility, so I can reflect back on my notes and try to walk more humbly before God and people. We also talked about lustful desires, and I’m not just talking about sexual desires. If we do or want something all the time, that’s lust. Lust is a selfish decision, and it is not normal. I was convicted when she said that God takes it personal when we resist sin, or when we don’t. Also, by denying our lustful desires, we express our love to Him. Now, how was I to eat that Snickers candy bar in my room after that? I know that’s funny, but in all honesty I really struggle with food. It’s been hard here because if I’m not happy, chocolate is the best answer, right? Well, I want God to meet my needs, and for Him to be my Portion. This is just one of the many lessons I’m learning here.
We had a great time( my favorite thus far) working with kids last Thursday. We drove about 30 minutes to a school that was turned into a shelter for the last several weeks. You may have heard about the severe flooding and mudslides here about a month ago. People lost their lives and homes, so the Salvation Army is helping these families here in San Jose until the end of the year. I’m not sure where the families will go after that, but they cancelled classes at this particular school until then. Most of the parents were at work when we arrived, so the kids were ready for fun. We did a few skits and played several games with them. We also painted their sweet little faces, and one of my teammates gave the moms hand massages. I was asked to paint a teens nails because Jody was busy with massages. I can’t even remember the last time I painted someone’s nails or even my own for that matter. I didn’t have the option of saying no, and I was glad that I didn’t. It was such a simple thing to do for this sweet girl who had lost her home, and I wanted to make her look pretty. I didn’t want to paint her nails because I wasn’t going to do a perfect job. God told me to get over myself really quickly, and told me that she didn’t care if I didn’t do a perfect job. Both of us walked away smiling, having been blessed by one another.
I was amazed at how affectionate the kids were with us. Kids of all ages were hugging us and held our hands. They didn’t care who we were, they just wanted love. I was so touched by several kids, but one little girl asked if I could be her friend, and I just wanted to melt! She was just too precious! She took me to meet her baby cousin in one of the classrooms where we they were sleeping. I got to hold the baby and meet her mom and aunt. They said they lost everything, and didn’t know where they would go after the shelter closed. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it was like to lose your home and have a 4 month old to care for.
Friday night we were supposed to leave for Jaco, a beach town, but leadership said they felt we not to leave until the morning. Just as our meeting was ending, we heard a loud noise outside, and then a woman started crying. She was on a motorcycle and evidently tried to pass a truck, and he hit her. She broke her leg, and was in immense pain. I will never forget the loud smack, then her crying. Several people from the base went outside to help. We have a nurse on base temporarily and she went out to give aid with another missionary who had been on a mercy ship with YWAM years ago. Our guys ran out and immediately started directing traffic around the accident. We all started praying when we heard her crying. Several students and staff stayed with her until the ambulance came, and even long after that to direct traffic. I went outside and could see her face, but I just couldn’t bare to view her leg. Some of the folks here spoke to her aunt and were able to pray with her. She was leaving her aunt’s house which is across from the base when the accident happened. We don’t know how she is doing at this point, but have a card for her, and a few people on the team are going to give her the card in the next few days. The aunt said she was so grateful for our people being there for her niece and for praying with her.
Our ministry Saturday in Jaco went well too. We had a blast playing with kids again. We went to an area of town where some Nicaraguan folks lived off a little river. We actually had to cross the river in our flip flops to get to the area where the kids were. The homes were just little shacks, but the people we met that lived there were full of smiles.
We got to go to the beach for a few hours after the kids ministry. It was so beautiful and sunny. I really needed this time away from the city and was able to relax in the sun. I rested in the shade too because it got quite warm and read a little of our last book during lecture phase called The Book that Transforms Nations: The Power of the Bible to Change any Country.
We left the beach and went to a small youth service about 4pm. We mingled with the teens who were mainly under 18, and listened to one of them preach for the first time. The pastor and his wife were super nice people, and they were excited for this young guy to give the message that night. We left there and went to a YWAM missionary home for dinner, then drove home.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Radical giving and Germany update
Sunday we went to Heredia (about 45 minutes from the base) to bring our skateboarding ramps and host a mini-skate contest. A new outdoor mini-theater opened that day, and the community had a several acts, including singing, dancing, martial arts. We just chatted with people that came out for the event, and I got to talk to several teens. I had a great and lengthy conversation with 2 girls who were cousins. There were a few Christians passing out tracts, so we talked about a tract they had received. I was able to share that they had to know Jesus personally, the options of heaven and hell, and how God had worked in my life. One of the girls found me on face book before I could request her as a friend, so I was stoked about that yesterday!!! We even met some guys from the USA who were a part of another missions organization called “Pura Vida Missions.” One guy was from Houston, and we found that we lived about 5 minutes away from each other! Small world, huh? We even have a mutual acquaintance in Kingwood, TX. He was trained as a paramedic by one of the science teachers in Humble ISD that was in my science collaborative!
I’m super excited to share about today, which was simply incredible! We had our 2nd day of lectures on relationships with our teacher for the week, Marjolein ( also co-director of our base). I always perk up my ears when someone is talking about relationships because I don’t think you ever arrive at a point in your life where you don’t need wisdom in this area. We will always have to be around people, even if we live alone. We have to work and go to the store, don’t we? I for one have been challenged by living in community here, and sometimes feel like screaming! As most of you know, I love people, and spend a lot of my free time with people, especially teens. I am developing more patience with people than I ever thought I would, but I have also had to ask for forgiveness after I have snapped at some folks here. I really miss my apartment and was so blessed to have a home where I could rest, read, worship, pray, and just recharge in peace. However, God wants to purify me, and in order to get all the junk to bubble out, He has to turn up the heat! Ouch!!!!
This morning we spent a few hours in worship and giving. I have never witnessed such Spirit-led and sacrificial giving. One by one, staff and students in my DTS, gave away items such as chocolate, purses, scarves, t-shirts, cologne, money, and even a laptop and camera!!!! Some folks even offered to do another student’s work duties for the week. I was just amazed at how each person walked in radical obedience.
One our brothers had his camera and iPOD stolen on Sunday. He had a such a great attitude, even though he was bummed about losing 2 of his most valuable possessions. He had been praying with a staff member for the last 2 days for God to provide a way for him to buy another camera. We also had 2 prophetic words, one for him and another for a staff worship leader. Well, the girl said that God was going to give him the money to get a new camera, and the within 30 minutes or so, he was given a camera!! One of girls had a really nice camera like the one he had, but she gave him a second camera she brought. She left the room again, and came back with the professional camera, and said God gave me a dream about giving him that camera instead!! We also had a young gal give her laptop to an older lady on our team. She went up to her room, and as soon as she walked though the door, God said give her the laptop! She was like, what??? Well, she gave our sister the laptop, and of course, a big hug. Our sister was crying, and was so shocked. She told us later that she had a laptop of that same brand, but it was stolen in Spain years ago. She said she actually wanted this which was a little smaller than the one she bought. Several people gave money towards outreach, and within minutes about $6,000 was donated!! We now need just over $13,000 for Europe!!! God just blew us away today and there were a lot of hugs, praises, tears, and shouts of joy!! He continues to out do Himself here, and He is growing our faith by leaps and bounds.
Personally, I received a bag of plantain chips with a little note on it. The giver received a verse from the LORD for me and it was Deuteronomy 28:12-14. It talks about how God will open up the heavens and bless the work of my hands. Look it up, it’s awesome!!! I was also blessed by a sweet guy in our group when he said he wanted to pray with me everyday. He told me “ I know how much you like for people to lay hands on you and pray for you.” He’s the guy who had his camera stolen, and I’m so impressed by this 18 yr. olds heart. My last gift was the best! The married couple on our team said they would give up their room at 7pm once a week so I can go to bed early! I have been so tired here, so just blew me away, and I know that God has heard my cries for more sleep!!! YEAH!!!!!!!! I will get to sleep in their room every Tuesday, except for this week, I’m going to sleep there tomorrow night! ( she will sleep in my bunk, and he will sleep in a bunk with some of the guys who have an extra bunk in their container.) This couple has been such a blessing to our team, and are wonderful young people of service and faith! I had bought a purse from the July DTS fundraiser the first week we were here, and one of the sweet girl here, said it was beautiful. I felt like I was supposed to give it to her at the end of our training, but I was asking God what He wanted me to give todya, and He reminded of the purse. I gave her the purse, but she had also received a purse from another girl right before I handed her mind. She was so overwhelemnd and cried and hugged me tightly. I know this is not the only thing that I am to give while I'm here because the Lord has been speaking to me about being generous despite the fact that I have no job. Now that's living by faith, right??? I know He will provide for me when I run out of funds, or He may just mulitply my bank account so I never run out! He does math a little bit differently than we do, and someone out there can testify to this with me!!!!
We found out today that we are going to Jaco this weekend, probably Friday night to so some ministry there that night and Saturday. We will be leaving for Germany on Dec. 30th and return to the base on 2/7/2011, the day after my 32nd birthday. I am so excited to spend my birthday in Europe! We will spend our first week in Frankfurt, but don’t have set plans for the rest of our time there yet. We may stay in Germany the whole time, or travel to another country if God opens a door.
I am excited to get to travel a little more next month. We will get to go to 3 new places in the country, one of which is NIKO camp in the jungle. I’m excited to go, but heard that it’s a super intense week. I will remind you for more prayer that week!!!
God Bless and thanks for your prayers! I forgot to share the verse God gave me at McCafe last Saturday when He wouldn’t allow me to access the wi-fi. Psalm 57:2 says, I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.
PRAISE HIM, FOR HE HEARS OUR CRIES, AND DESIRES TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES IN OUR LIVES!!!
May His peace be with you!!
I’m super excited to share about today, which was simply incredible! We had our 2nd day of lectures on relationships with our teacher for the week, Marjolein ( also co-director of our base). I always perk up my ears when someone is talking about relationships because I don’t think you ever arrive at a point in your life where you don’t need wisdom in this area. We will always have to be around people, even if we live alone. We have to work and go to the store, don’t we? I for one have been challenged by living in community here, and sometimes feel like screaming! As most of you know, I love people, and spend a lot of my free time with people, especially teens. I am developing more patience with people than I ever thought I would, but I have also had to ask for forgiveness after I have snapped at some folks here. I really miss my apartment and was so blessed to have a home where I could rest, read, worship, pray, and just recharge in peace. However, God wants to purify me, and in order to get all the junk to bubble out, He has to turn up the heat! Ouch!!!!
This morning we spent a few hours in worship and giving. I have never witnessed such Spirit-led and sacrificial giving. One by one, staff and students in my DTS, gave away items such as chocolate, purses, scarves, t-shirts, cologne, money, and even a laptop and camera!!!! Some folks even offered to do another student’s work duties for the week. I was just amazed at how each person walked in radical obedience.
One our brothers had his camera and iPOD stolen on Sunday. He had a such a great attitude, even though he was bummed about losing 2 of his most valuable possessions. He had been praying with a staff member for the last 2 days for God to provide a way for him to buy another camera. We also had 2 prophetic words, one for him and another for a staff worship leader. Well, the girl said that God was going to give him the money to get a new camera, and the within 30 minutes or so, he was given a camera!! One of girls had a really nice camera like the one he had, but she gave him a second camera she brought. She left the room again, and came back with the professional camera, and said God gave me a dream about giving him that camera instead!! We also had a young gal give her laptop to an older lady on our team. She went up to her room, and as soon as she walked though the door, God said give her the laptop! She was like, what??? Well, she gave our sister the laptop, and of course, a big hug. Our sister was crying, and was so shocked. She told us later that she had a laptop of that same brand, but it was stolen in Spain years ago. She said she actually wanted this which was a little smaller than the one she bought. Several people gave money towards outreach, and within minutes about $6,000 was donated!! We now need just over $13,000 for Europe!!! God just blew us away today and there were a lot of hugs, praises, tears, and shouts of joy!! He continues to out do Himself here, and He is growing our faith by leaps and bounds.
Personally, I received a bag of plantain chips with a little note on it. The giver received a verse from the LORD for me and it was Deuteronomy 28:12-14. It talks about how God will open up the heavens and bless the work of my hands. Look it up, it’s awesome!!! I was also blessed by a sweet guy in our group when he said he wanted to pray with me everyday. He told me “ I know how much you like for people to lay hands on you and pray for you.” He’s the guy who had his camera stolen, and I’m so impressed by this 18 yr. olds heart. My last gift was the best! The married couple on our team said they would give up their room at 7pm once a week so I can go to bed early! I have been so tired here, so just blew me away, and I know that God has heard my cries for more sleep!!! YEAH!!!!!!!! I will get to sleep in their room every Tuesday, except for this week, I’m going to sleep there tomorrow night! ( she will sleep in my bunk, and he will sleep in a bunk with some of the guys who have an extra bunk in their container.) This couple has been such a blessing to our team, and are wonderful young people of service and faith! I had bought a purse from the July DTS fundraiser the first week we were here, and one of the sweet girl here, said it was beautiful. I felt like I was supposed to give it to her at the end of our training, but I was asking God what He wanted me to give todya, and He reminded of the purse. I gave her the purse, but she had also received a purse from another girl right before I handed her mind. She was so overwhelemnd and cried and hugged me tightly. I know this is not the only thing that I am to give while I'm here because the Lord has been speaking to me about being generous despite the fact that I have no job. Now that's living by faith, right??? I know He will provide for me when I run out of funds, or He may just mulitply my bank account so I never run out! He does math a little bit differently than we do, and someone out there can testify to this with me!!!!
We found out today that we are going to Jaco this weekend, probably Friday night to so some ministry there that night and Saturday. We will be leaving for Germany on Dec. 30th and return to the base on 2/7/2011, the day after my 32nd birthday. I am so excited to spend my birthday in Europe! We will spend our first week in Frankfurt, but don’t have set plans for the rest of our time there yet. We may stay in Germany the whole time, or travel to another country if God opens a door.
I am excited to get to travel a little more next month. We will get to go to 3 new places in the country, one of which is NIKO camp in the jungle. I’m excited to go, but heard that it’s a super intense week. I will remind you for more prayer that week!!!
God Bless and thanks for your prayers! I forgot to share the verse God gave me at McCafe last Saturday when He wouldn’t allow me to access the wi-fi. Psalm 57:2 says, I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.
PRAISE HIM, FOR HE HEARS OUR CRIES, AND DESIRES TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES IN OUR LIVES!!!
May His peace be with you!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
His Masterpiece
To begin, I want to share my Facebook post from this evening ( sorry for the repeat FB friends, but some of my followers don't have facebook). Go ahead, laugh, it's funny. But really think about how jealous our God is for us. He's jealous for us, not of us.( Oprah is confused on this) Why, you ask? Because He knows nothing else we seek will satisfy, nothing else will do. He alone is our portion. ( Psalm 73)
I went 2 McCafe yesterday 2 use free wi-fi & work on my journal. A group from my team went
there a few hours before me, came back, & said that God was telling them 2
spend time w/Him, so He wouldn't allow them access to wi-fi. They said if u need 2
spend time w/ God, then the wi-fi will not work for u. The wi-fi only worked for 1 of the girls on our team and other random customers. So, u guessed it, wi-fi didn't work for me either, but it worked for other customers? I had a great time with my God, & when I returned, we all laughed. Our God loves us so much that He would mess up our pc's so we would have 2 spend time with Him! You gotta love it!
Destiny by Design
This week we had the privilege of going through the “Destiny by Design” workshop with a very enthusiastic YWAM missionary here in Costa Rica by the name of David Wright. I was super excited to hear what God had to say through David, and was hoping to have a better idea of what God wanted me to do after my training here. The first day was the most eye-opening for me. David gave us time to ask God about what we were inclined to do when we were little. I was able to remember some of my inclinations as a child, and they brought a smile to my face. I remembered that I loved to play with Cabbage Patch Kids, Barbie dolls, and anything I could love on. My mom also reminded me that I loved Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy this weekend. The desire to love deeply is still so much a part of me, and I love to love on people and animals. I was created to nurture and care for people, and want to work with children in some capacity next year.
David said that so many times we make our calling complicated, when we can just look at what we liked to do as kids. Winston Churchill enjoyed developing strategies and playing war games as a child. As we know, he became the Prime Minister of Great Britain during WWII, and is known as one the greatest military strategist in history.
Each day, we went through the acronym “DESIGN.”
Dreams
Experience
Soul print (personality)
Identity
Gifts
Networks
What’s next?
I’m praying about working for about 3-4 months( thinking about substitute teaching) when I return in February, then working at an orphanage in Central or S. America for the summer. I would like to return to Costa Rica, or attend a YWAM Bible Core Course in another location in the fall. Then in 2012, I would like to work full-time as a missionary with orphans or children at risk. I will be praying about these plans to see if they are just my dreams or God’s dreams for me. Please keep me in your prayers about this and feel free to ask me any questions.
I will sign off for now, but wanted to leave you with this poem I wrote inspired by Psalm 139 and this week's lectures. God Bless!
I went 2 McCafe yesterday 2 use free wi-fi & work on my journal. A group from my team went
there a few hours before me, came back, & said that God was telling them 2
spend time w/Him, so He wouldn't allow them access to wi-fi. They said if u need 2
spend time w/ God, then the wi-fi will not work for u. The wi-fi only worked for 1 of the girls on our team and other random customers. So, u guessed it, wi-fi didn't work for me either, but it worked for other customers? I had a great time with my God, & when I returned, we all laughed. Our God loves us so much that He would mess up our pc's so we would have 2 spend time with Him! You gotta love it!
Destiny by Design
This week we had the privilege of going through the “Destiny by Design” workshop with a very enthusiastic YWAM missionary here in Costa Rica by the name of David Wright. I was super excited to hear what God had to say through David, and was hoping to have a better idea of what God wanted me to do after my training here. The first day was the most eye-opening for me. David gave us time to ask God about what we were inclined to do when we were little. I was able to remember some of my inclinations as a child, and they brought a smile to my face. I remembered that I loved to play with Cabbage Patch Kids, Barbie dolls, and anything I could love on. My mom also reminded me that I loved Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy this weekend. The desire to love deeply is still so much a part of me, and I love to love on people and animals. I was created to nurture and care for people, and want to work with children in some capacity next year.
David said that so many times we make our calling complicated, when we can just look at what we liked to do as kids. Winston Churchill enjoyed developing strategies and playing war games as a child. As we know, he became the Prime Minister of Great Britain during WWII, and is known as one the greatest military strategist in history.
Each day, we went through the acronym “DESIGN.”
Dreams
Experience
Soul print (personality)
Identity
Gifts
Networks
What’s next?
I’m praying about working for about 3-4 months( thinking about substitute teaching) when I return in February, then working at an orphanage in Central or S. America for the summer. I would like to return to Costa Rica, or attend a YWAM Bible Core Course in another location in the fall. Then in 2012, I would like to work full-time as a missionary with orphans or children at risk. I will be praying about these plans to see if they are just my dreams or God’s dreams for me. Please keep me in your prayers about this and feel free to ask me any questions.
I will sign off for now, but wanted to leave you with this poem I wrote inspired by Psalm 139 and this week's lectures. God Bless!
His Treasure
God said, “You were created special by Me.”
I said,“So why can’t I see?”
Then He told me, “You are precious in my eyes.”
I replied,“ Why can’t I see that I’m a prize?”
He said, “You are my beloved, one of a kind.”
I replied, “ Please Lord, help me to understand this in my mind.”
God said, “I loved you before you were born.”
I said, “Even before the first morn’?”
“Yes, my darling,” He replied.
I smiled at Him, then sighed.
I really am a treasure.
Then my Creator replied, “Yes, your worth is beyond measure!”
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Destined for great things
Trying to catch you up...
I wanted to share a few things about our week on the Father heart of God which was 3 weeks ago. We had the privilege of being taught by a very godly man with an amazing father’s heart. Jack Kody lives in South Carolina and travels to teach for YWAM mostly in Central America. We got to meet his wife who came with him for a week before our lectures to teach a marriage conference. They have 4 kids and I loved the way he talked about them. He was like a big teddy bear, and was our dad for the week. He not only taught us the Father heart of God, but he demonstrated it. He took our who class bowling and then for ice cream. Yes, he paid for all of us, staff and students. He also had ice cream brought in for us the next day during one of our lectures. He said his goal for the week was to touch our hearts, and he succeeded in my book! It truly is amazing to think about how much our Father loves us. We talked about how we saw God because of image of Him will impact the way we: read the Bible, talk to Him, treat others, treat the devil, etc. One key thought I will always remember is the Bible is a book of relationships, not formulas. He is huge, and he sits on His throne and puts His feet on the Earth! Why is it that we think we can use formulas on God? It’s kind of like us taking orders from an ant. Pretty funny huh?
Local Outreach
I have enjoyed the local outreaches we have done in the last few weeks. We went back to the University of Costa Rica and talked with some students about the Gospel. I went with a girl in our class named Valerie and we met some really sweet girls and had great conversations. I like to start talking to the students by asking them if they are from Costa Rica, what they are studying, how old they are, etc. About 7-10 minutes into the conversation, I ask them if they go to church. Most have said they go to Catholic church. We then talk about salvation and I ask them about the way to heaven. It’s pretty cool to hear some of the students, most of whom were freshman, say they go to church. They actually agree with us on doctrine, but may not have the personal relationship with Christ. The neat thing about talking to people here, is that they are open to talking about spiritual things, but the key is to be relational first, not just start talking about God.
We also did homeless ministry a few times, once with the Salvation Army, and once on our own. We got to serve the homeless breakfast at the Salvation Army, talk with them, and pray with some of them. When we went downtown last Thursday and took bread and coffee. We split up into groups of 3, and went to find a homeless man or woman to invite back to the park for refreshments. My heart just breaks for these people because most of them are so far removed from society. I did speak with some (at the Salvation Army )in English however, and was able to really understand their situation. One man spoke really good English, and he mentioned that he had a job, but was afraid he would lose it. He said he was involved in an accident at a previous job, and has minimal usage of one of his hands. He is in a position where he has to type and works with a lot of young people, and he was afraid that they would replace him with someone who could work faster. He was super nice and I got to pray with him before he left. When we went downtown my group found an older man, and talked with him for about an hour. He was quite the character and told me that I was a good person and said he wanted to marry me. I would love to marry a Costa Rican, but he was old enough to be my grandpa!!! I smiled and thanked him, and we all just laughed! He talked about many interesting things, but I think he was happy to have someone listen. He told us he was an angel too! Wow! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when talking to him.
This week our lectures are on Destiny by Design. I am really excited about receiving insight into my God given purpose here on planet Earth. I have been praying about what to do after this school, and I think this week could give me the guidance I need to take the next step into my destiny. I will share more at the end of the week, but at this point, I feel led to work with children in some capacity. Tonight I’m excited about my small group with our teacher for the week. He is trying to help us process the material and we can ask him questions to get a better understanding of how God designed us.
Prayer requests
* My body needs healing. I think the lack of sleep, change in diet, etc. have finally caught up with me. I’ve been tired, but now all the changes are manifesting themselves in many ways in my body.
*That I would hear God’s voice and have time to seek Him the next several months on His purpose for my life.
* Our team needs over $20,000 for our outreach to Europe. I have all of my training and outreach paid for, but staff and students still need their support. We are working on some fundraiser ideas right now, one of which is with a local restaurant.
Thanks and God Bless!
Please e-mail or FB me your prayer requests!
I wanted to share a few things about our week on the Father heart of God which was 3 weeks ago. We had the privilege of being taught by a very godly man with an amazing father’s heart. Jack Kody lives in South Carolina and travels to teach for YWAM mostly in Central America. We got to meet his wife who came with him for a week before our lectures to teach a marriage conference. They have 4 kids and I loved the way he talked about them. He was like a big teddy bear, and was our dad for the week. He not only taught us the Father heart of God, but he demonstrated it. He took our who class bowling and then for ice cream. Yes, he paid for all of us, staff and students. He also had ice cream brought in for us the next day during one of our lectures. He said his goal for the week was to touch our hearts, and he succeeded in my book! It truly is amazing to think about how much our Father loves us. We talked about how we saw God because of image of Him will impact the way we: read the Bible, talk to Him, treat others, treat the devil, etc. One key thought I will always remember is the Bible is a book of relationships, not formulas. He is huge, and he sits on His throne and puts His feet on the Earth! Why is it that we think we can use formulas on God? It’s kind of like us taking orders from an ant. Pretty funny huh?
Local Outreach
I have enjoyed the local outreaches we have done in the last few weeks. We went back to the University of Costa Rica and talked with some students about the Gospel. I went with a girl in our class named Valerie and we met some really sweet girls and had great conversations. I like to start talking to the students by asking them if they are from Costa Rica, what they are studying, how old they are, etc. About 7-10 minutes into the conversation, I ask them if they go to church. Most have said they go to Catholic church. We then talk about salvation and I ask them about the way to heaven. It’s pretty cool to hear some of the students, most of whom were freshman, say they go to church. They actually agree with us on doctrine, but may not have the personal relationship with Christ. The neat thing about talking to people here, is that they are open to talking about spiritual things, but the key is to be relational first, not just start talking about God.
We also did homeless ministry a few times, once with the Salvation Army, and once on our own. We got to serve the homeless breakfast at the Salvation Army, talk with them, and pray with some of them. When we went downtown last Thursday and took bread and coffee. We split up into groups of 3, and went to find a homeless man or woman to invite back to the park for refreshments. My heart just breaks for these people because most of them are so far removed from society. I did speak with some (at the Salvation Army )in English however, and was able to really understand their situation. One man spoke really good English, and he mentioned that he had a job, but was afraid he would lose it. He said he was involved in an accident at a previous job, and has minimal usage of one of his hands. He is in a position where he has to type and works with a lot of young people, and he was afraid that they would replace him with someone who could work faster. He was super nice and I got to pray with him before he left. When we went downtown my group found an older man, and talked with him for about an hour. He was quite the character and told me that I was a good person and said he wanted to marry me. I would love to marry a Costa Rican, but he was old enough to be my grandpa!!! I smiled and thanked him, and we all just laughed! He talked about many interesting things, but I think he was happy to have someone listen. He told us he was an angel too! Wow! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when talking to him.
This week our lectures are on Destiny by Design. I am really excited about receiving insight into my God given purpose here on planet Earth. I have been praying about what to do after this school, and I think this week could give me the guidance I need to take the next step into my destiny. I will share more at the end of the week, but at this point, I feel led to work with children in some capacity. Tonight I’m excited about my small group with our teacher for the week. He is trying to help us process the material and we can ask him questions to get a better understanding of how God designed us.
Prayer requests
* My body needs healing. I think the lack of sleep, change in diet, etc. have finally caught up with me. I’ve been tired, but now all the changes are manifesting themselves in many ways in my body.
*That I would hear God’s voice and have time to seek Him the next several months on His purpose for my life.
* Our team needs over $20,000 for our outreach to Europe. I have all of my training and outreach paid for, but staff and students still need their support. We are working on some fundraiser ideas right now, one of which is with a local restaurant.
Thanks and God Bless!
Please e-mail or FB me your prayer requests!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
We are in a war.... really!!!
We are learning about spiritual warfare this week. Our teacher for the week, Terry, is from a base here in Costa Rica. He is a really neat man, and actually lived in Texas for several years as a rancher with his wife. I went up to shake his hand today, to give him a nice Texas welcome, and he went to hug me. I told him I wanted to shake his hand first, then received his hug. He is super sweet, and a very godly man. He has done a great job this week, teaching us about the battle that is being waged 24/7 here on earth and in the heavenlies. We discussed the nature of satan today, because he said if we don't know our enemy and how he operates, we can't fight him. We looked at several scriptures that showed just who satan is. He is a deceiver, liar, full of pride, an accuser, a destroyer, a murderer, a thief, and well, you get the picture. I look forward to the last 3 lectures for the week to gain a better understanding of the war we are all in,whether we realize it or not!
I went on a long jog/walk today, and ate lunch later. It always feels so goo to exercise, and I take the opportunity any chance I get.
Today for our small groups, the 2 groups of girls were combined for a fun time at Vanessa's house(full-time missionary here on the base & my favorite teacher so far). It was nice to be in a real house and enjoy some fellowship with my sisters here. It was super relaxing and refreshing to chat and get to know people here better. Vanessa shared that almost all of their furniture was given to them by another missionary couple who had been here about a year, then were called back to the USA. They have a nice little apartment a few minutes from the base.
Prayer requests
*That I would get good sleep here. It's hard to sleep when I have so much to read and do, and then when I want to go to sleep, everyone else wants to chat right outside my room!. I really don't like being old sometimes!
* That I would build deep relationships with my team
*Team unity
I will post more later... sleep calls!!!
I went on a long jog/walk today, and ate lunch later. It always feels so goo to exercise, and I take the opportunity any chance I get.
Today for our small groups, the 2 groups of girls were combined for a fun time at Vanessa's house(full-time missionary here on the base & my favorite teacher so far). It was nice to be in a real house and enjoy some fellowship with my sisters here. It was super relaxing and refreshing to chat and get to know people here better. Vanessa shared that almost all of their furniture was given to them by another missionary couple who had been here about a year, then were called back to the USA. They have a nice little apartment a few minutes from the base.
Prayer requests
*That I would get good sleep here. It's hard to sleep when I have so much to read and do, and then when I want to go to sleep, everyone else wants to chat right outside my room!. I really don't like being old sometimes!
* That I would build deep relationships with my team
*Team unity
I will post more later... sleep calls!!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sleep or Blog?
Okay, so I have been super busy, and I’m sorry for not posting. If it comes down to sleep or blogging, I will choose sleep 99% of the time! I do want to finish telling you about the most powerful week here so far, and then I will share a little more of what I have been doing for the last 2 weeks in the next several days. I also want to give you a disclaimer for the next few paragraphs. If you don’t like to hear about vomiting, then have someone read this, and tell you about it. I didn’t mention any details, just the word a few times. I don’t mean to offend you by telling details of my life here, I just want to be real with you.
2 weeks ago…
We cut soul ties as a group around a campfire. We wrote down the names of people who hurt us, said their names aloud (some also said what the people did to hurt them) and broke ties with the hurt they caused us. I don’t think it was a coincidence that just minutes before class, I started to feel sick to my stomach and I felt like I was going to vomit. It came out of no where, and I sat in class until I thought I was going to hurl. I can’t remember how long its been since I have felt that gross. I told one of the staff that my stomach was upset, and that I may have to leave. She said that it might be spiritual warfare, and it made sense since it came on so quickly. I really needed to cut soul ties, and experience freedom, so I know the powers of darkness wanted to “take me out” at that time. I left class and went to the restroom where I didn’t even know what end to put near the toilet, but I decided to sit. After my RR visit, I went to the fridge to get the Sprite I had bought the day before when I kind of felt some uneasiness in my stomach. Another coincidence? I don’t think so! I took the Sprite up to my room and sat near the trash can on a roomie’s bed, and prayed that God would heal me. I went to the RR again, and still felt awful, and at this point, I had the chills, and was shaking a little. I decided to tell Mar, one of the base directors, that I was not feeling feel, and would be in my room if the DTS staff was looking for me. She asked me to sit down next to her in the dining hall, where she was listening in on a marriage conference that our base was hosting for the week. They just went on a break, so she asked me what was wrong, and asked if she could pray for me. I said yes, of course, and she immediately began praying intensely for me. I told her I felt like I could vomit any minute, just so she would know that I might be running to the RR, even in the middle of prayer. I told her that I didn’t want to throw up, and she prayed that I wouldn’t. She laid hands on me and asked for the sickness to leave my body in Jesus’ name. About halfway through the prayer, Anabel, one of my leaders came in and was praying for me as well. She moved a trash can next to me, at Mar’s request. Mar said that she normally doesn’t tell people what she was about to tell me , but she felt very led to do so. She said something along the lines of, “I think you need to confess something, and you will feel better.” I can’t remember exactly what she said, but it was really good. I told her I think I need to forgive my family for past hurts, even from childhood, but I didn’t know how. She encouraged me to start praying, so I did. I was crying, and it was difficult to let go of those feelings of hurt and rejection, but as I did so, I felt better. After I prayed for a few minutes, she said, I think you need to be with your family ( DTS team), and she walked me outside to the campfire.
My family had already written down the names of the people they wanted to cut soul ties with, and were confessing them aloud in front of our group and leadership. I borrowed some paper and a pen from a teammate, and began to write down all the names of people who had hurt me. The more names I wrote down ,the better I felt. Mar asked me if I was okay, and I said yes, “ I feel so much better”, and she went back inside. Within a matter of minutes, I felt completely normal, and the sickness had left my body. ( By the way, I never threw up!!!!) The real freedom moments came, though, as I cut soul ties with those who had hurt me including family, friends, and boyfriends in front of my team. When I cut soul ties, I just cut the bad ties that I had with people, it doesn’t mean that I’m never going to talk to them again. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me, and it felt great to be free. Most of us went in front of the group more than once, and after we said the names and offenses aloud, we threw the paper into the fire! YEAH!!! Each of us was told to say this as well: I AM FREE or SOY LIBRE!
We finished the week of Plumb Line with a bang, as another of our family members was delivered from an evil spirit. I did get his permission to share his testimony, but I won’t mention his name. He is from Central America, and is 20 years old. I could not believe what my new friend had been through, and my heart just broke as he shared his story. His older brother was a homosexual and sexually abused him for years. This brother had even allowed his friends to sexually abuse him. His brother told him that he was gay too, and as result he was sexually immoral with other men. He was made fun of at school and beaten up by bullies. He also grew up with a father who never told him that he loved him, because he wanted to have a baby girl instead of a boy. My new friend had suffered so much rejection and injustice in his life, and we would all agree that he had every right to be angry. He even met with a witch at some point and made a pact with Satan to get revenge on all of the people who had hurt him However, by making the pact with Satan and the sexual sin he committed, he had opened a door for a demon to possess him. We discovered later that he had been inhabited by a spirit of death, and desperately needed to be set free and healed. He even mentioned that he was being tormented by this demon while he was here. The demon told him to go to the pharmacy and buy some pills. He said he didn’t have money to buy the pills, but when he went inside the pharmacy, the exact amount of money was on the floor. WOW! This demon was really trying to kill him!!! He said he kept hearing the demon tell him to take the pills, but he eventually threw them into a ditch and went back to the base. Like the other demons, this demon was throwing him around, and the demon yelled several times, “El es mio” ( he is mine). My friend finally had his deliverance about an hour or so later he vomited, and the demon was released. I know this sounds really crazy, but I witnessed everything. I’m not trying to freak or gross you out, but I am sharing this story to show you 2 things:
1) the power of our Risen King in dealing with the power of darkness!!!!
2) the power and reality of the spirit realm
If we are in Christ, we have no need of worrying about anything like this happening to us. We are sealed in Christ, if we have received Him as Savior AND Lord(Ephesians 1:13-14, John 10:28-29). We have to give Him full reign over our lives, not just believe He's God. If you are not sure you have done this, ask me or your local Christian who is sold-out for Jesus! My e-mail is boudreaux97@hotmail.com
More to come soon on local outreaches, etc!
2 weeks ago…
We cut soul ties as a group around a campfire. We wrote down the names of people who hurt us, said their names aloud (some also said what the people did to hurt them) and broke ties with the hurt they caused us. I don’t think it was a coincidence that just minutes before class, I started to feel sick to my stomach and I felt like I was going to vomit. It came out of no where, and I sat in class until I thought I was going to hurl. I can’t remember how long its been since I have felt that gross. I told one of the staff that my stomach was upset, and that I may have to leave. She said that it might be spiritual warfare, and it made sense since it came on so quickly. I really needed to cut soul ties, and experience freedom, so I know the powers of darkness wanted to “take me out” at that time. I left class and went to the restroom where I didn’t even know what end to put near the toilet, but I decided to sit. After my RR visit, I went to the fridge to get the Sprite I had bought the day before when I kind of felt some uneasiness in my stomach. Another coincidence? I don’t think so! I took the Sprite up to my room and sat near the trash can on a roomie’s bed, and prayed that God would heal me. I went to the RR again, and still felt awful, and at this point, I had the chills, and was shaking a little. I decided to tell Mar, one of the base directors, that I was not feeling feel, and would be in my room if the DTS staff was looking for me. She asked me to sit down next to her in the dining hall, where she was listening in on a marriage conference that our base was hosting for the week. They just went on a break, so she asked me what was wrong, and asked if she could pray for me. I said yes, of course, and she immediately began praying intensely for me. I told her I felt like I could vomit any minute, just so she would know that I might be running to the RR, even in the middle of prayer. I told her that I didn’t want to throw up, and she prayed that I wouldn’t. She laid hands on me and asked for the sickness to leave my body in Jesus’ name. About halfway through the prayer, Anabel, one of my leaders came in and was praying for me as well. She moved a trash can next to me, at Mar’s request. Mar said that she normally doesn’t tell people what she was about to tell me , but she felt very led to do so. She said something along the lines of, “I think you need to confess something, and you will feel better.” I can’t remember exactly what she said, but it was really good. I told her I think I need to forgive my family for past hurts, even from childhood, but I didn’t know how. She encouraged me to start praying, so I did. I was crying, and it was difficult to let go of those feelings of hurt and rejection, but as I did so, I felt better. After I prayed for a few minutes, she said, I think you need to be with your family ( DTS team), and she walked me outside to the campfire.
My family had already written down the names of the people they wanted to cut soul ties with, and were confessing them aloud in front of our group and leadership. I borrowed some paper and a pen from a teammate, and began to write down all the names of people who had hurt me. The more names I wrote down ,the better I felt. Mar asked me if I was okay, and I said yes, “ I feel so much better”, and she went back inside. Within a matter of minutes, I felt completely normal, and the sickness had left my body. ( By the way, I never threw up!!!!) The real freedom moments came, though, as I cut soul ties with those who had hurt me including family, friends, and boyfriends in front of my team. When I cut soul ties, I just cut the bad ties that I had with people, it doesn’t mean that I’m never going to talk to them again. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me, and it felt great to be free. Most of us went in front of the group more than once, and after we said the names and offenses aloud, we threw the paper into the fire! YEAH!!! Each of us was told to say this as well: I AM FREE or SOY LIBRE!
We finished the week of Plumb Line with a bang, as another of our family members was delivered from an evil spirit. I did get his permission to share his testimony, but I won’t mention his name. He is from Central America, and is 20 years old. I could not believe what my new friend had been through, and my heart just broke as he shared his story. His older brother was a homosexual and sexually abused him for years. This brother had even allowed his friends to sexually abuse him. His brother told him that he was gay too, and as result he was sexually immoral with other men. He was made fun of at school and beaten up by bullies. He also grew up with a father who never told him that he loved him, because he wanted to have a baby girl instead of a boy. My new friend had suffered so much rejection and injustice in his life, and we would all agree that he had every right to be angry. He even met with a witch at some point and made a pact with Satan to get revenge on all of the people who had hurt him However, by making the pact with Satan and the sexual sin he committed, he had opened a door for a demon to possess him. We discovered later that he had been inhabited by a spirit of death, and desperately needed to be set free and healed. He even mentioned that he was being tormented by this demon while he was here. The demon told him to go to the pharmacy and buy some pills. He said he didn’t have money to buy the pills, but when he went inside the pharmacy, the exact amount of money was on the floor. WOW! This demon was really trying to kill him!!! He said he kept hearing the demon tell him to take the pills, but he eventually threw them into a ditch and went back to the base. Like the other demons, this demon was throwing him around, and the demon yelled several times, “El es mio” ( he is mine). My friend finally had his deliverance about an hour or so later he vomited, and the demon was released. I know this sounds really crazy, but I witnessed everything. I’m not trying to freak or gross you out, but I am sharing this story to show you 2 things:
1) the power of our Risen King in dealing with the power of darkness!!!!
2) the power and reality of the spirit realm
If we are in Christ, we have no need of worrying about anything like this happening to us. We are sealed in Christ, if we have received Him as Savior AND Lord(Ephesians 1:13-14, John 10:28-29). We have to give Him full reign over our lives, not just believe He's God. If you are not sure you have done this, ask me or your local Christian who is sold-out for Jesus! My e-mail is boudreaux97@hotmail.com
More to come soon on local outreaches, etc!
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