Next Tuesday morning we're leaving for outreach in Cordaba. I'm so excited for outreach! It's so wonderful to have time just for evangelizing and blessing churches. The first week will be spent getting ready for the medical brigade and the first weekend having the medical brigade. After that we'll be spending about two weeks in each church. I don't know where we'll be for sure yet, hopefully it will all get finalized this weekend. Please pray for safety during the brigade and that God would help me lead evangelism and impacts.
And here's a little blurb about the people on my team, please be praying for all of us:
Desteni: our fearless, brave, strong leader! It'll be a bit of a stretch for her to lead, but it’s not her first time and she'll be great at it! The two of us have started a support group for our fellow coffee addicts (joking). She will also be my translator when it’s my turn to teach. And I’m her side kick for crazy, caffeinated escapades.
Lorena: my best friend who did her DTS with me. The two of us are assistant leaders for the outreach. She is a great teacher and leader but doesn't have a whole lot of confidence in her own abilities. When Desteni can’t be found Lorena is my side kick for crazy, nighttime drama!
Paula: professional student. She has many healthy problems: like in her knees and wrists. She's a bit shy, but hopefully she'll feel free to be her funny self with us. She’s the oldest, but doesn’t have much experience teaching or in front of people.
Claudia: professional student. At first we thought there might be problems having a leadership team younger than her, but she will be so helpful in counseling and teaching. She's also our resident physical therapist :)
Ingrid: 18-year old. Great girl who has shown she's willing to try to change when called out on things. Usually she’s up for a challenge, but she was really disappointed to be on our team because she had her heart set on a different place. I hope she clicks with our team even though they are no other girls her age, and that her attitude will change when we begin.
Juan Daniel: 19-year old. He's the best guy at drama and dance; he’s also a great worship leader and plays about 5 instruments, so I'm excited to have him. He's also got experience working with youth and will be great to help out and protect us girls. Pray that he doesn't get distracted by girls in the churches, a weak area for him, and that he can get the pastoring he needs from us three crazy, female leaders.
Pictures and updates coming when possible....
Friday, April 20, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Outreach
Instead of rewriting the information here, please read what Desteni wrote about our time at the medical brigade and pray for us. And yes, we do ride in those canoes to get to the brigade:) What an adventure!
desteni.blogspot.com/
desteni.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 8, 2007
NIKO (shhhhhh....)
I just spent my week at NIKO. It's a camp that I'm sworn to secrecy about for the most part. It's a leadership camp, but the entire time you have to work in team. It was difficult for some. For me it was a little challenging, but almost everything was stuff that I love to do. It was restful even though we were wet a most of the time. The funny thing that was a big lesson for me was having to eat sardines. I really hate fish: don't like looking at them, don't like smelling them, and have only eaten them a few times when force fed. They were all we had for lunch one day, and I took one bite a gagged. The guy on my team gave me this look like, “Rachel, are you serious? You have conquered in everything so far and you’re not going to eat this...” I did eat about 2/3 of my share without hating it! Good thing too, because my outreach is on the coast where we’re going to have to eat fish a lot.
It’s funny the ridiculous things we think we can’t do and let get in the way of good experiences. “Thoughts have consequences.” A 13-year-old girl on my team didn’t enjoy any of our walks and adventures because she thought we always walked too fast. She cried every time we went walking (which was a good portion of 4 of the 5 days). It brought our whole team down because we all had to be encouraging her instead of getting the opportunity to enjoy the beauty around us or feel victorious at what we were accomplishing. She was healthy and DID everything, but didn’t want to enjoy a minute of it. It made me think about what stupid little things I pridefully let get in the way of enjoying my experiences or my life.
I love living in Colombia, wouldn’t exchange my life for an instant. The things I get to do and the ways I’m stretched more than make up for the cold showers, different food and language difficulties. But would I allow a plate with a fish on it put me in a bad attitude and hurt the feelings of a host on outreach? It was such an important lesson for me. One little grateful “thanks” can immensely bless someone and one sour face can make a heart sink. I don’t want to be that stuck up girl, I want to make choices to make the most of my time for myself and for the people I effect. I need to spend time searching for more things in my life that I decide to let get to me, and for that ruin the opportunity in front of me. Not many people have the same challenges as me, but I’m sure you have challenges daily too. I hope you decide to be a conqueror, an adventurer, a joyful disciple.
EASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m scandalized that they don’t really celebrate it. This was “holy week” but a big celebration is only for the Catholics. Most people were tired after NIKO and didn’t even go to church! Don’t worry... I got up and went to church. And my mom sent me and Desteni little egg candles that say “Happy Easter.” The two of us couldn’t help but be our crazy, American selves this morning:
We went out to the park and had an egg hunt. We got one of our friends to take the pictures, I think he was highly amused. For those of you who look at them, I know it’s hard to tell but we tried to spell “Happy Easter.” :) Hope you all had a wonderful time with God thinking about the new lives we can live.
It’s funny the ridiculous things we think we can’t do and let get in the way of good experiences. “Thoughts have consequences.” A 13-year-old girl on my team didn’t enjoy any of our walks and adventures because she thought we always walked too fast. She cried every time we went walking (which was a good portion of 4 of the 5 days). It brought our whole team down because we all had to be encouraging her instead of getting the opportunity to enjoy the beauty around us or feel victorious at what we were accomplishing. She was healthy and DID everything, but didn’t want to enjoy a minute of it. It made me think about what stupid little things I pridefully let get in the way of enjoying my experiences or my life.
I love living in Colombia, wouldn’t exchange my life for an instant. The things I get to do and the ways I’m stretched more than make up for the cold showers, different food and language difficulties. But would I allow a plate with a fish on it put me in a bad attitude and hurt the feelings of a host on outreach? It was such an important lesson for me. One little grateful “thanks” can immensely bless someone and one sour face can make a heart sink. I don’t want to be that stuck up girl, I want to make choices to make the most of my time for myself and for the people I effect. I need to spend time searching for more things in my life that I decide to let get to me, and for that ruin the opportunity in front of me. Not many people have the same challenges as me, but I’m sure you have challenges daily too. I hope you decide to be a conqueror, an adventurer, a joyful disciple.
EASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m scandalized that they don’t really celebrate it. This was “holy week” but a big celebration is only for the Catholics. Most people were tired after NIKO and didn’t even go to church! Don’t worry... I got up and went to church. And my mom sent me and Desteni little egg candles that say “Happy Easter.” The two of us couldn’t help but be our crazy, American selves this morning:
We went out to the park and had an egg hunt. We got one of our friends to take the pictures, I think he was highly amused. For those of you who look at them, I know it’s hard to tell but we tried to spell “Happy Easter.” :) Hope you all had a wonderful time with God thinking about the new lives we can live.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Las Locas
I just ran like a wild woman to the kitchen to get two of my girls. I told them to come quick! And they came but dragging their feet wondering why I act like I'm on drugs sometimes. So I pulled them along with me and then ran outside into the rain. Now they're thinking I've finally gone insane and they should get back to work. But we went up on the roof and they got to enjoy the most beautiful rainbow ever with me! (I posted pictures) My girls asked if we have rainbows in the states, because that would be the only logical reason for me to be so excited about one. I've never see one so low, it's like it's right in the city. Even after a hard week God is still blessing us with his infinite beauty. I love his little gifts like rainbows!
Today we were assigned to our outreach groups. I'm going to the coast but first we're going to be working a week in a medical brigade. I am ecstatic for my team. I'm leading with my two best friends: Desteni and Lorena. I didn't believe it possible that I would get to be with both of them! I'm also with my crazy student that's like my sister and that smashed the cake in my face on my birthday. There are a total of three girl students, two guy students, and the three leaders. It is a wonderful group as far as worship, dancing, drama, teaching, and exciting/crazy adventures! O thank you God!
*** Someone has my camera right now, so I can't update my pictures. But if you want to see a baby picture please refer to my friend Desteni's site: desteni.blogspot.com/
Today we were assigned to our outreach groups. I'm going to the coast but first we're going to be working a week in a medical brigade. I am ecstatic for my team. I'm leading with my two best friends: Desteni and Lorena. I didn't believe it possible that I would get to be with both of them! I'm also with my crazy student that's like my sister and that smashed the cake in my face on my birthday. There are a total of three girl students, two guy students, and the three leaders. It is a wonderful group as far as worship, dancing, drama, teaching, and exciting/crazy adventures! O thank you God!
*** Someone has my camera right now, so I can't update my pictures. But if you want to see a baby picture please refer to my friend Desteni's site: desteni.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Emergency Prayer Request
Guys... our base needs prayer. Today I was on the bus coming back from my Spanish class and I just felt the weight loading on. When I enter our house I feel this emotionally high strung, warfare environment. Here are some of the immediate concerns:
• This weekend three of our underaged guys drank beer at a bar.
• We have two pretty serious couples within the students. They're not kidding anyone with the friendship act. The six months of the school is a time for knowing God, not for relationships. Today I talked with one the boys and he admitted that he had thought marrying this girl and had almost asked her at one point last week. I talked to him a lot about protecting his mind and be responsible with his thoughts and about the priority of the school. He promised me not to act on anything until the school is over... but it's still a present temptation and distraction. (Having a girlfriend/boyfriend from the school doesn't sound that horrible, but the students did make the commitment to stay single if they entered single for the duration of the school. And it's a dangerous thing because all of the students are having the same experiences and are growing so much in the same ways during the time of the school that it can heighten the emotions; but when the school is over they find out that it can't work and that discovery comes with pain and guilt for not focusing for the short time they were in the school. I want to protect my students from that experience and to help them get all they can out of the experience.)
• An overall rebellious attitude that makes it difficult for the students to accept correction from the staff.
• Disunity between different ministries at the base. Right now there seems a big division between King's Kids (that disciples with jr high and high school students and teaches them communications, dance and drama) and the schools.
Please keep us in your prayers. Right now it has exhausted the staff and we're wondering how we are going to make it on outreach. But we can depend on God to give us the strength we need. Our students need God to work in them too.
• This weekend three of our underaged guys drank beer at a bar.
• We have two pretty serious couples within the students. They're not kidding anyone with the friendship act. The six months of the school is a time for knowing God, not for relationships. Today I talked with one the boys and he admitted that he had thought marrying this girl and had almost asked her at one point last week. I talked to him a lot about protecting his mind and be responsible with his thoughts and about the priority of the school. He promised me not to act on anything until the school is over... but it's still a present temptation and distraction. (Having a girlfriend/boyfriend from the school doesn't sound that horrible, but the students did make the commitment to stay single if they entered single for the duration of the school. And it's a dangerous thing because all of the students are having the same experiences and are growing so much in the same ways during the time of the school that it can heighten the emotions; but when the school is over they find out that it can't work and that discovery comes with pain and guilt for not focusing for the short time they were in the school. I want to protect my students from that experience and to help them get all they can out of the experience.)
• An overall rebellious attitude that makes it difficult for the students to accept correction from the staff.
• Disunity between different ministries at the base. Right now there seems a big division between King's Kids (that disciples with jr high and high school students and teaches them communications, dance and drama) and the schools.
Please keep us in your prayers. Right now it has exhausted the staff and we're wondering how we are going to make it on outreach. But we can depend on God to give us the strength we need. Our students need God to work in them too.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Colombian Scandals
WE HAVE A BABY! Two of the leaders: Alvero and Jocabet just had their baby, the first one at the base. Everyone's healthy even though Joca is still in some pain. I've never been around through a whole pregnancy and birth! It's so exciting! The baby is adorable, huge eyes and lots of dark hair. Pictures coming soon.
Desteni was going to visit the baby today... and that is the motivation for this post. Needless to say, Des and I were amazed and some myths we discovered. It made us realize that there will be some fun surprises for us when we marry Colombians... (not saying that we are anywhere close to marrying Colombians. It's more just the hope that we will get married someday and we live in Colombia, even though we're desperately without prospects at the moment).
1) You can't hold a baby when you're on your period. (Des and I considered this and even searched the internet... we have no idea what it could possibly do to a baby).
2) When you're sick to your stomach you should eat pork.
3) If you have a cold you must dress in warm clothes from head to toe and wear a scarf around your mouth. (If you noticed in my birthday pictures my friend Edinson was wearing a scarf even though it was a warm day. Remember, we live really close to the equator).
4) You should always lay a baby on it's stomach because it's the best thing for it.
5) When Alvero is hot a sweaty he should take off his shirt and put the baby in his armpit. (Not kidding, folks)
6) It's slightly debatable, but commanly believed that you really can't still be a virgin if you use tampons.
7) Never take a shower after dark, it's how you get sick.
8) Reading in a bus or moving vehicle will ruin your eye sight.
Sometimes I just have to laugh at this culture that I love so much.
Desteni was going to visit the baby today... and that is the motivation for this post. Needless to say, Des and I were amazed and some myths we discovered. It made us realize that there will be some fun surprises for us when we marry Colombians... (not saying that we are anywhere close to marrying Colombians. It's more just the hope that we will get married someday and we live in Colombia, even though we're desperately without prospects at the moment).
1) You can't hold a baby when you're on your period. (Des and I considered this and even searched the internet... we have no idea what it could possibly do to a baby).
2) When you're sick to your stomach you should eat pork.
3) If you have a cold you must dress in warm clothes from head to toe and wear a scarf around your mouth. (If you noticed in my birthday pictures my friend Edinson was wearing a scarf even though it was a warm day. Remember, we live really close to the equator).
4) You should always lay a baby on it's stomach because it's the best thing for it.
5) When Alvero is hot a sweaty he should take off his shirt and put the baby in his armpit. (Not kidding, folks)
6) It's slightly debatable, but commanly believed that you really can't still be a virgin if you use tampons.
7) Never take a shower after dark, it's how you get sick.
8) Reading in a bus or moving vehicle will ruin your eye sight.
Sometimes I just have to laugh at this culture that I love so much.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Heartbreak Day
Today our third student decided to leave the school. This school... sigh. With some student we're seeing major growth and with others they just make the decision to not learn and it ends up affecting the entire atmosphere here. All in all, it's an immature school. And right now it's like we're going through a time of sifting; they need to decide they want to be here or it's time for them to leave. That sounds so harsh that it makes me cringe, but I think it's for the best before we leave on outreach. Please pray for our students and even more for us pastoral staff and leaders.
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