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

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