none of it is worthless.

me with my 12th grade homeroom class

I've been thinking a lot about suffering as it fits into the Gospel. Lately I've had several conversations with teachers and students about a new documentary called American Gospel. Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU75EzbdNEc

American Gospel highlights US church leaders who are falsely preaching a Gospel of prosperity: God desires for you to be happy, healthy, and wealthy. When you're not one of these things, the philosophy argues, you need to name and claim the better, easier things you want from God. 

B U T   W H E R E   I S   T H I S   I N   T H E    B I B L E ?

me speaking at our high school retreat

Old Testament - Noah, Joseph, Job, Hosea, Ruth...etc. All people who suffered. They were mocked, sold, tortured, broken, and alone. Yet God used them to re-populate the world, save all of Israel from famine, be examples to God's people, carry on the family line to Jesus...just stuff like that. 

New Testament - Literally all the the disciples tortured, killed, exiled for their faith in Jesus. Paul, who repeatedly asked God to remove a "thorn from his flesh" (2 Corinthians 12) and who delighted in weaknesses and hardships, so that the power of Christ may be evident in His life. 

S O    W E    M A D E    I T    U P.

As I've discussed this "prosperity gospel" with my students, I've realized that this North American mentality has made its way to South America too. Many churches here preach a message that says do ___________ and God will give you __________. I believe this sets people up for 2 different responses:

RESPONSE 1 - Distraction from depth in relationship with God due to all his "blessings." Constantly thinking that more has to be done in order to "keep up," or worse, thinking that somehow you really do deserve all the blessings.  

RESPONSE 2 - Disappointment when you're working hard, and God doesn't seem to live up to his end of the "bargain" because life is painful or hard. Disappointment stems from thinking we are owed more that we are given. 

ankle sprain doesn't stop me from coaching woman's staff team

Here is a true promise straight from the mouth of Jesus: "In this world you will have troubles, but take heart I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). So why are we surprised when pain comes? Why do we immediately try to avoid or repair it? I think we're actually missing out on this incredible steadfast strength that Paul mentions. 

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times that our sin and poor choices make life more difficult for us. There are absolutely consequences for going our own way and it is often painful. But what I'm talking about here is the truth that God desire for us to be holy, not just happy. He is using the pain to stretch us in extremely uncomfortable ways. For those of us who have truly surrendered our story to God, our lives are not our own. "Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (Job 2)

I've started reading a book called It's Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst. This book is about how we have fallen from God's original design, but that we live on this side of eternity, where God is still in the process of redeeming all stories for his glory. She describes an addiction to comfort and the fear of being "touched" by God like this: 

"Being lulled into a false sense of security is worse than going through the process of suffering."

My dog Sammy and I in our apartment in Bogotá

In other words, it is far better to walk through the path of pain holding hands with Jesus, than it is to miss out on the growth that can only happen in these seasons of life. 

B  R  O  K  E  N      S  E  A  S  O  N  S

• When you've continuously waited for God's promises but you feel like maybe He forgot and you're tempted to try it your way. 
• When you did the right thing and now your friend won't talk to you.
• When your loved one fought hard the first time, but now the cancer is back. 
• When you spoke up for the right thing at work and you got fired. 
• When you have been begging God for a child while you struggle to celebrate with others who are getting pregnant so easily. 
• When you thought you heard from the Lord so you took the risk and followed, but now you question His goodness and your own ability to hear His voice. 
• When God takes away your child. 
• When the person you trusted the most rips your heart out and not even time can fix it. 
• When you're still not healing and you're tired of fighting.

I'll never get tired of soccer or mountains

Life is hard. It is painful. It is unfair. But we can take courage knowing that we are in good company and that we're not "doing something wrong." Just like Noah, Joseph, Job, Hosea, Ruth, Paul, at all the others, God is more interested in my holiness than my happiness. And he is doing something! with all of it! it's not over! Jesus is the lead example to say "not my will, but yours" God, be done in my life. But these struggles are what remind us that our hope is directly anchored to an unchanging promise of God's goodness and the eternal weight of glory. Don't run from him, let the hurt draw you to scream, and poor out your heart to him. Instead of trying to escape the pain, let God use it. 

N  O  N  E     O  F     I  T     I  S     W  O  R  T  H  L  E  S  S. 

Oh, The Places You'll Stay

     When the risk to wait is greater than the risk to go.

     I've always loved going, changing, and leaving because, as C.S. Lewis said, "there are far greater things ahead than any that we leave behind." At almost two years in Bogotá, I've beaten all my past records by living here the longest. I'm still here. But I can feel myself getting restless. And now is when I realize that it's scary to stay. 

     The new is fun. People back home are inspired by your faith, you form new relationships from 0-60 in no time at all because all the newbies are in desperate need of community: a family. Your failures don't matter as much because you're still new. And you hold this excuse like a security blanket. The excitement of seeing your comfort zone get smaller and smaller in your rearview brings a rush of adrenaline. 

     But then the scary moment comes, and you start to wonder "what's next." People back home begin to forget. Your relationships start to bend or even break. Your new family starts to see all your flaws. And you fail. Oh man, do you fail. You break the hearts of the ones you chose to love. You cry. You feel more lost than you've ever felt. You question every choice you've made thus far. Your comfort zone looks awfully comfy back there. You want to run again and start over with the new. 

     In 2017 I've experienced all of these things. 

     The other day I was starring into a mirror. Apart from the obvious imperfections on my eyelashes and eyebrows from getting my face lit on fire, I began to notice other details. My immediate reaction was to fix or to hide these blemishes, because I didn't want others to see it. I needed to be better. But then I thought about the family I have here. They know me. They've seen me at my very best and at my very worst. Several of them have seen the messy, uncensored parts of my heart. And they didn't leave. They're still here. These are people I've chosen to let in to help chisel me into the image of my Father. Jesus, I'm so thankful for this family that you have chosen to walk with me through this season. I can't wait to see how we change and what you call us to when we are tethered to you and busy at work, not focused on "what's next" (1 Kings 19:19-21). 

     I'm starting to see the fruit of staying. Last week, a friend at school challenged me to stay at ECA next year for the sake of staying, for the sake of leaving the "new" behind and entering the "potential failure" zone. It's terrifying. But I want to stay and fight; I want to grow in discipline. Even though I what I'm doing right now at ECA is not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life, God knows this. He also knows that I don't want to be single for the rest of my life. This doesn't mean that I can't be a good steward with this season that He's given me. God's given me new joy for this time, without looking ahead for "what's new." 

     As many of you know, every year I pick a word for the year to represent what I'm praying to see God do in my life that year.  In 2017, my word was "dine" and Jesus challenged me to spend time being "wined and dined" by him, and to learn to receive from others, something that's always been uncomfortable for me. In 2018, my word is "tethered." I want to be so close to Jesus that I immediately feel the loss when I wander. And what better way to experience this than to stay here at ECA in Bogotá, to feel God tethering me to something. 



Thanks, Fam. I love you. See you next year, El Camino. 

Pretty much all the teachers and staff at school have this song on repeat this Christmas season. How encouraging that God's plan is waiting.

Stones.

Friends in Austin

I’m back in Bogotá, or what has been my home for the past 18 months. Bogotá. Which leads me to the question, “what is home?” Texas was hard for me in so many ways because it no longer feels like home. Sure, I like driving around Austin and gorging on all my favorite taco joints, and of course I love seeing all my friends and spending time with my church family. But I'm starting to understand why Paul says our citizenship is in heaven. If we truly belong to that world, then we shouldn’t get too comfortable here. Jesus, too, was constantly misunderstood and lonely in our culture so I guess I’m entering into good company.

Family at cousin's wedding in California

VULNERABILITY TIME: But more than a home, the deepest thing I desired in Texas was a bridge. Jesus knows, but I’m so tired and saddened at each new adventure without anyone with whom to share it. It's increasingly harder each time to cross over "back home" without a partner who understands my worlds. I'm so thankful that I never walk alone but I am also ready for someone here, who's constant. Pray for me to have big faith to ask for big things but also trust in my storyteller.

David and his parents

On my way back to Bogotá I had the amazing opportunity to stop in Guatemala for 2 days to visit the child I sponsor through Compassion International. I was tired of forgetting to pray for him and I thought if I met him that he would become more a part of my world. I also wanted some time to process with Jesus and I hadn’t done something that scared me in a while. So off I went, thankful that I now know enough Spanish to not get lost and miss a flight. 

Volcano in Guatemala

When we walked up to David’s house (he and his family live in Retalhuleu, about 4.5 hours from Guatemala City) I didn’t know what to expect. David was wearing the nicest clothes he owned (I could tell because he looked so uncomfortable in them!) and they had decorated the door with balloons and a “Bienvenida” (welcome) sign. They even set off little fireworks when I walked through the gate! (although I couldn’t see them so this scared me half to death). I spent the morning sweating away sitting in their little home and getting to know David more. For lunch we went to a chicken restaurant and continued to talk. David plays chess (and of course, soccer) and has won several competitions at the national level with kids much older than him. What stood out to me was his joy and excitement to talk with me, and his mother's thankfulness but also sadness at not being able to fully provide for her son. Please join me in praying for this family, especially for David's father, who struggles with alcohol and becomes very violent when he drinks. 

Between Guatemala to Colombia I had a layover in Costa Rica, where I got to explore and process things with Jesus. I stopped at this church in Alajuela, outside of San Jose and just sat and listened to my creator. 

I heard a song (at the end of this post) and realized that it was my life. I have meticulously set up stones to lead to the desires of my heart. I have treated my author as if he needed my help directing my life to the ending.  I’ve created idols of the good desires God has given me. I’m always either reminiscing about memories in the past or dreaming about desires to come. I’ve built up my life preparing for a future I’m waiting to start. Because of this, I can’t truly enjoy this season. I'm not content. I don’t see God for the powerful director he is and therefore I expect very little of him. I sold my previous life and left Texas, learned Spanish (mostly), and am now so focused on finding the solution to my brokenness - fulfilled desires of serving and loving street kids, and finding the perfect man to complement me in that ministry. Because of plan, I find myself lost and confused when the stones don’t add up. I don’t see his “no” as protection. I see them as failed attempts. 

Besties in Austin

SURPRISE! But God doesn’t need my help writing my story. He doesn't need the stones. I will only hurt myself and others when I try to bypass the wait. 

So here’s to the end! The end of worshipping my plans and asking God to “bless” them. The end of holding on to hopes for too long, expecting God to do things He’s never promised me. I trust you, Abba, that your ways are best and I’m tired of getting in the way with my own stones. I’m letting go to receive all that you HAVE promised: LOVE that is whole, PEACE I can’t understand, JOY in all moments, and POWER that fulfills your promises. 

I’m ready to be present in this season and think about what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. Please pray with me that I can learn, what Paul calls, the SECRET of being content in all circumstances. (Philippians 4) 

Spring Cleaning

Me with some of my 10th graders

Me with some of my 9th graders

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Here are a few things that have been happening this spring. 

1. High School youth retreat at El Camino Academy - I spent a weekend away with the high school students. It was great to spend more relational time with my kids and see God working in their lives.

Deborah and I at her wedding

2. Trip to Texas for my cousin's wedding - I went back to the States (for the first time since I've been in Bogotá) for Deborah and Zach's wedding. It was a short visit but such a blessing to see many of my friends and family as I stood by my cousin's side, celebrating, as she said "yes" to God's new season in her life. 

3. Rachel Jaster's visit to Bogotá - I brought back my best friend, Rachel, to Bogotá after the wedding. She gave up her Spring Break to visit my world and it was such an honor to introduce her to my students, friends, and be encouraged by her friendship and prayers.

Aladdin

Aladdin 

4. Aladdin play - I had the privilege of directing the famous "Spring play" at ECA this year. It was a huge undertaking, especially as a first-year teacher as I was also continuing to teach my Language Arts classes. But by the end of this 3-month process I was so proud of my students and the results they produced. These kids are so funny and creative and we're all so excited for next year's play!

Mission Team to Cumeral

5. Semana Santa Mission Trips - This week, during our Spring Break or Holy Week to prepare for Easter, ECA sent out 5 mission teams to different places around Colombia. These are all incredibly tough trips that are hot, dangerous, uncomfortable and sacrificial. I was planning on going on one of these trips, but after Aladdin, I was exhausted and in desperate need of recovery time before school starts again and we run towards the finish line of summer. So I decided not to go this year; it was a difficult decision but I was blessed with the gift of letting students and other teachers borrow things for their trips and I get to spend the week praying for all the teams, instead of being a part of just one trip. The rest of the school year seems like it will be a whirlwind. We have less than 2 more months of school then I will go to Vancouver and California to spend 2 weeks with my family and attend my cousin Kelly's wedding. Then I'll be spending the rest of the summer in Texas. 

Please pray for me in this season. God has been revealing to me that I have been uncomfortable with Jesus' death on the cross and the ways he shows me his unconditional love. Even after years of prayer, I am still the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. I am still trying to earn my keep and my place at his table. I am still uncomfortable with that fact that it's all free. I am still, at times, an orphaned. Please pray for me as I process this with Jesus. I want to be free from this bondage and enjoy his great love so that I can also receive his love from others.

Please also pray for my relationships with people here in Bogotá as it has been difficult. As missionaries we are often expected to have life "all together" but through living in community with other missionaries, we are realizing that this expectation creates very selfish, needy people. Please pray for my co-teachers and I, that we would love well and put each other's interests in front of our own. 

"Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." - Luke 15:31

"Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but also take an interest in others." - Philippians 2:2-4

¡Feliz Aniversario! Make a Way

My A-Team at the airport in Jan

     This time last year "Make a Way" by I Am They was my jam. (click here to watch video) I probably listened to it 10 times a day. I was a couple days away from uprooting my life to Bogotá, Colombia. Unlike most people who move overseas, I didn't have a plan B. I couldn't move back in with my parents if things didn't work out. I packed my 26 years into 3 suitcases and sold everything else I owned. It was so scary. I was days away from moving and still didn't have all my funding. I was living with my brother and sister-in-law in a different city than the others on my team, and I remember wondering if I was about to make the worst mistake of my life.

Team Bogotá 32 at Easter

     But jumping into the water to meet Jesus is never easy. And it's never worth it if it's not a risk. Looking back on the past year, it's been a rollercoaster. In January of 2016 I moved in with a family of 4 and 3 other single people. We moved to Bogotá with plans to start a church in our home and minister to college students at a local university. We studied Spanish. A lot. We played soccer. A lot. And we met a ton of people anywhere we went - public transportation, Uber, restaurants, and more. We were a sight to been seen. Over the course of the year, we saw the very best and the very worst of each other. Sharing lives with so many different souls is not easy.

My family in Bogotá in June

      Yet it was because of this experience that I learned that Jesus is truly my shepherd. My only job in this life it to humbly walk close to his side. I don't need to be concerned with where I am going because he knows the places, situations, and people who are best for me to grow, whether for a short season or for much longer. I learned that as long as I'm content walking with him, he will somehow use me and prepare my steps ahead of me. And even though 2016 did not go at all the way I expected, God has provided all that I need.

     A quote from my favorite cheesy, Christian, middle school movie says "when God throws a curve ball, don't duck; you just might miss something." This has certainly become true in my life. My life has been full of curveballs, but I wouldn't change it for the world. My lowest points have been balanced out by unbelievable adventures. And the funny thing is, I would never has experienced my Savior's constancy had it not been for all this change. He is faithful, y'all. Never be too afraid to jump the boat that you miss out on seeing his character.

Teacher trip to Peru in October

Machu Picchu and Llamas!

     In July I started a job teaching at an English-speaking, Christian school. My heart had desperately missed working with teenagers. I started as a part-time language arts and theater teacher. The day before I started at El Camino Academy, I remember being incredibly unsure. I thought, "this isn't why I came to Colombia. Am I bailing on my group by jumping ship to work at this school? What will my supporters think if I start doing something else?" Curve ball. But now I can't imagine my Colombian life without this job.

Disney day at school-10th grade

     In December I moved out of the house I had been living in since January 2016, and I moved in with another teacher from ECA. I love being closer to school and closer to the other teachers I work with. It's an unbelievable blessing to be a part of this community of Jesus followers.

New Year's with teacher friends

      So for all of you who have asked how long I will be living in Colombia, I have no idea. I don't need to know. I am first and foremost a citizen of heaven, so where I live and serve on this planet isn't relevant. As long as I am journeying close to my shepherd, the job, place, and people are a means to help me enjoy and glorify him and prepare myself for the next curve ball that comes my way.

You brought me to the desert so You could be my water

You brought me to the fire so You could be my shield

You brought me to the darkness so You could be my morning light

If You brought me this far, if You brought me this far

Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me

Wherever you call me, You will make a way

Wherever we’re going, I will be holding

To the promise you have made

You will make a way

The Lord is My Shepherd

     …I have everything that I need. Recently the theme of sheep and shepherd has come up numerous times in my life. And ironically, the name “Rachel” means “Little lamb.” 

a picture I took of sheep from the UK

     I have been in Colombia for almost 2 months now, and I am truly learning what it means to be the sheep, fully reliant on my Shepherd. 

     Naturally, I'm a do-er; my love language is giving acts of service. I like to feel needed and do things for you to prove my affection. The problem is, with Jesus, He doesn't need me. It's the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son. He was too busy slaving away for his father that he didn't get to enjoy the father's blessing of being close to him. 

 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." -Luke 15:31

Karate Kid "Wax On, Wax, Off"

     I would much rather spend my time serving and doing things to prove to Jesus how much I love Him, but what He really wants is my heart and my time. It grieves Him when I don't recognize this. These last few weeks have been difficult because we are taking things slow, and 5/8 of us have been sick with bronchitis. We are building our home, building our team, learning the language and learning the culture. We are not at the ministry speed that we want to be. But God finds joy in that. We are spending our mornings in worship and prayer as we grow in our team relationships. We are spending time with our Shepherd, Father and Rescuer, getting to know Him more so that we can eventually bring others to Him. We are becoming bell sheep, allowing Him to use this time for His glory. 
     
     In the Karate Kid, Miyagi teaches Daniel to fight by leading him through a "wax on, wax off" car wash approach. While Daniel sees these lessons as a waste of time, he eventually realizes that his teacher has been preparing him for battle. That is what I see the Holy Spirit doing with our team. It takes time that may seem like a waste, but in the end it will send us right to the places we need to be. 

Here's a story that my awesome best friend Rachel Jaster encouraged me to look into. It's a story of a sheep that learned what it looked like to stay close to the shepherd.

A Story of a Bell Sheep

"After all, God seems to prefer guiding us in a way that keeps us close to Him, and His was is unhurried. He would prefer to guide me as my companion for the journey rather than hand me the directions that I'd be tempted to run off with, leaving Him in the dust. Maybe I could learn to ask less for God's guidance and more for a sense that He is being my guide, to ask less for help and more for the awareness that He is my helper, and to ask less for strength and more for the confidence that He is my stronghold." 

- An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling

     Father, help us find contentment in being your bell sheep. There, you give us all that we need.

the TRUTH will set you FREE

     At the end of the summer I had the amazing opportunity to visit Bogotá, Colombia with a friend, Stephany, who will be moving there with her husband and kids in November. As many of you know, this was my vision trip to help me prepare to move there in early 2016. Here's a little update about my experience and where I'll go from here!

     The trip was incredible. I loved the mountains, the graffiti (Bogotá is the most painted city in the world), and the people. One day we went to a local university to interview some college students. The college struggle is pretty much universal - everyone is desperate to discover their passions, their identity, and truth. The students we talked to were very confused about who Jesus is, why many Christians fail to act like this Jesus, and what all of it has to do with their lives. And it's a wonderful question. I'm excited to get to enter this mission field and discuss spiritual beliefs with those who are interested. Long-term, we plan to build relationships with students at a particular university (Universidad Nacional) because there is a profound darkness on this campus. There's a quad-like area on campus where students can share/preach their passions on any sort of topic (see, typical college experience, right?) and their peers gather around to listen/comment/argue. I'm so ready - not to just bring another Christian perspective, but to bring the light of Jesus. We also got to talk with several of Stephany's cousins who live there and it was very helpful to see where my generation is spiritually and the need they have for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Steph & I on our bike tour

playing Tejo with our bike tour companions

    Another cool experience was taking a bike tour of the city. So scary. Like scarier than riding through the streets of Cambodia. Cars. Never. Stop. But it was so beautiful to see the city; I loved the graffiti. Amazing art and there were several areas that pay artists to paint. We also got to try different fruits I had never seen before. They use many of these fruits to make juices or smoothies as well. During the tour we got to play a Colombian game called "Tejo," where you basically hold a beer in one hand and throw a huge rock across the room in attempts to hit a pocket of gunpowder so it will explode. It's awesome. And I'm great at it.

     Like I mentioned before, our team's heart really is for the college students in Bogotá. 4 of the people on our team are singles in their early/mid twenties so it's an easy group for us to connect with. With the time we spent on campus talking to students and athletes and all the times we spent with Stephany's cousins, it is clear that this generation struggles with the concept of TRUTH. They are very distrustful of the local church and I can't blame them! 

Stephany's cousins

     We visited a mega church while we were there and it was very disheartening to listen to a message that took the story of Zacchaeus and twisted it into a plea for money. It's the prosperity Gospel forced upon people who are struggling, but hopeful for a better life. And when the church tells them that God will bless them only if they give like Zacchaeus, it becomes hard for anyone to trust the church. My generation in Bogotá has taken bits and pieces from different religions/lifestyles and created their own belief system that they think works for them. This is what has happened after years of the church failing to be the true body of Christ. But what a cool opportunity for us to build relationships with this group in order to eventually share the truth of Jesus and how He wants to give them purpose for today and hope for the future - all for free! 

Lady and her heart

     One last quick story: The day we went to look at potential houses, we ended up meeting a girl named Lady. Lady was walking through the market area trying to sell black trash bags to earn money. She began to tell Stephany that she was 20 years old and a new mom, and they both lived with Lady's mother. Well over the next couple of hours, we listened (well - Steph listened, I tried to listen in Spanish) as she poured out her whole story to us. As a child, her mother brought her to the streets to sell things and try to earn money. One day at just 9 years, she was kidnapped by Guerrillas (violent rebel groups) and was raped and forced to kill as a child soldier. After 5 years she was able to escape and bring 5 other kidnapped children with her. Since the escape she's attempted suicide, become addicted to drugs and she still has not told anyone her whole story until she met us. However, when her son was born she knew she had to stop the drugs and stop the stealing as a way out. Her hope and dependence are now solely on Jesus and it's incredible and inspiring. She is not a victim. She is a fighter and a leader. Even though she is uneducated and unable to obtain the kind of job she hopes for, she is taking advantage of the people God places in her path and is encouraging others to look to God! This is such an inspiration for me to see this girl continuing to fight to see how God is at work in her life. Jesus is such a powerful God and He remains on His throne - but how often do we miss out on opportunities to let Him work because we are so concerned about keeping ourselves on our own throne of comfort and security. I'm very thankful that we got to meet Lady and even more thankful that God is a big God who orchestrated the whole thing. I can't wait to see what He has planned for our group when we move there!

Prayer Requests:

pray for health/asthma

• Health - I have asthma so I struggled with the pollution and the altitude while I was there. I've talked with my doctor about how to take the proper precautions for living there, but please pray that I am able to find the right combinations of medicine to protect me from the intense sun (due to higher elevation) and to help me maintain healthy breathing habits. 

• Team - There will be 6 adults and 2 toddlers on our team. I've only met the married couple, their kids, and the girl I'll be sharing a room with. At the end of September though, we will meet in Oklahoma for a church-planting training. Pray that I'm able to get off work (leaving school for a week or few days a month into the hectic school year is going to be difficult!) I'm very excited for and hopeful to be allowed to go and spend some quality time with the team! (the dates of the course are September 26 - October 2)

new fruits during the tour

• House - Our whole team will be living in the same house where we plan to eventually host house church. However, we don't have a house yet. There were 2 houses that we planned on looking at during our visit, but unfortunately our realtor sold the houses and didn't tell us! So we are praying for a large house with space for all of us and for bringing others into our home!

Tinto Campesino - coffee

• Leaving well - Although I'm very excited and ready to move, I know that God has called me here for the next 5-ish months. Pray that I will remain fully present and be a light to those around me. I have a huge ministry opportunity at my middle school - with kids, admin, and other teachers I work with. God's using me and this move to allow for some pretty awesome conversations at school, and I'm praying that I can continue to be a blessing to Bedichek Middle School through December. I'm also very involved in my church here in South Austin, especially with the growing youth group. I spent so much time with the youth this summer that it makes it SUPER difficult to think about leaving them. Pray that God will continue to grow and use them to build our small youth group.

• Finances - Each of us on the team need to raise $2,000/month while we are living on support. I will be raising this amount for 18 months while I get adjusted to the culture, build relationships, improve my Spanish, and observe what God is doing in the city. After a year, I will begin looking for potential jobs and where my gifts/talents can be best used to glorify God. If you feel lead to donate, you can visit the non-profit website we're going through (Little Changes International - I went with this organization to Cambodia) and donate a one-time gift. Be sure to add my name in the "purpose" section. If you feel led to be a part of my support team on a monthly basis, please contact me via Facebook, email, or phone so I can direct you through the next steps. We are working on promotional materials to further explain our mission and I would love to talk to you more in depth if you have any questions about this gigantic life step for me! 

Donate with LCI - add my name in the "purpose" section

Beautiful view of Bogotá from Monserrrate

"The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have LIFE and have it to the full." -John 10:10

"I (Jesus) am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me." 
- John 14:6

"Then you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you FREE." - John 8:32