It's Happening

     So as many of you probably know, I've been ready to go back to the mission field ever since I got back from England 2 years ago. But since then, God has taken me on a very different path. He has taught me that there is more to life than being His servant. I am first and foremost His daughter. Through learning this, God has allowed me unhurried time to experience some things I would never have been a part of, had I left again right away. Over the past 2 years I've been able to help my parents prepare and move to Asia, I have moved to South Austin 

to work at a middle school and help grow the small youth group at my church, I have visited my parents in their new home, I have participated in my brother's wedding and gained a new sister, and I have been able to experience an "iron sharpening iron" relationship with many of my friends here. The last 2 years have been so much more difficult than I ever could have predicted, but God has been faithful in every way, reminding me that He is a good father. 

Teens at Point Community in Austin

     So since 2015 began, God's given me a peace about about looking for missions opportunities outside the US. Long-term my heart is definitely for street kids/at-risk teens in larger, Spanish-speaking cities. But after an exhausting search for organizations with this sort of ministry, I heard about some friends who were moving to Bogotá, Colombia, to start a church reaching out to young adults and university students. After praying about this opportunity, God reminded me of the ministry path of people like Joseph, David, and even Jesus. He showed me that I don't need to be hurried into youth ministry; His timing is not mine, and this opportunity in Colombia is a perfect transition for me into the Latin American culture and language. 

Austin Skyline with some students at a Graffiti Park

     Bogotá is a city with almost 7 million people and more than half of the population is under the age of 25. And I found out later that it has one of the highest population of street children of any Latin American city...interesting how God works! So while a few people on my team play to be there long-term, I will be taking my stay there on a year-by-year basis. I will be raising monthly support for 12 months while I adjust and observe the culture and language. Our primary focus is to watch what God is already doing in the city and pray for guidance on how we can meet Him in that. The first several months with be devoted to building relationships and getting to know people before we start meeting as the church. After a year, if I feel that God is calling me to stay in Bogotá, I will get a job (probably teaching) that will provide for finances and help me better fit in to the culture. I'm sure I will have TONS more information and insight once I take my summer vision trip to Bogotá in August.


Here are some things I would love you to pray for:

1. My summer trip. There are 3 women going for 9 days and one of the women is my team leader who is actually from Bogotá, and has lots of family there. Pray that God would give me confirmation that this is His will for me to move in January. We will be doing a lot of prayer walking as well as talking to leaders and pastors on the ground to see what God is already doing in the city. Please pray for my health with asthma, as the altitude in Bogotá is higher than Colorado! The other girl on my team is from my church; being sent on mission and international travel is new to her. Pray for God to bless her obedience with clarity as she feels called to missions or ministry in some capacity. We will be in Colombia from August 2-11.
2. My team. There are 6 adults and 2 kids on my team who will move to Bogotá and live  together in one large house starting in 2016. We will become the house church, just like Acts 2:42-47 talks about. Pray that we will bond together as we encourage each other to grow towards Christ. Pray for quick language learning and that we will be a strong light in our community as we follow the Spirit's leading. 
3. My transition. Please pray for my transition out of Austin - that I will leave relationships with co-workers, family, friends, neighbors, and my local church in good standing. It's easy to forget this part because I'm already so ready to leave, but please pray that I take advantage of these opportunities to give God glory and love people well. 
4. Finances. I will begin raising monthly support once I come back from my summer trip in August. Please be praying about if you are feeling called to be a monthly supporter. I will answer more questions about what that entails after I've returns and have more answers :) However, if you feel called to be a part of my summer trip or wish to give a one-time gift, I am raising support through Little Changes International. This is the same organization that I went through to go to Cambodia, and it's the organization that was started by the 2 team leaders I will have in Colombia...crazy! If you wish to give, here in the link to LCI's website. Click the "donate" button and write "Rachel Jeske" in the purpose line. 

Little Changes International

     Please send me an email or comment on this blog if you have any questions. I can't promise I can answer them now, but hopefully after my vision trip I'll know more! I can't thank you enough for just reading this and being invested in my life and call to ministry. Thank you for whatever part you play or have played in my life to help me get to this point. God is gracious and good and I could not be more excited that He is given me this passion and now the opportunity to pursue it for His glory! 

Bogotá, Colombia

"All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him."

-2 Samuel 14:14