I realize it has been a bit since I’ve written anything on here. Well, after a little hiatus, I am back.
Most noteworthy: I went to El Salv last week during my spring break. It was so good. I reconnected with friends that I haven’t seen since summer and fell in love once more with this miniscule Central American country. Spanish came even easier than it did last time. It was great to work alongside the Stint team and to get to know them more. As great as it was to be in El Salv with a team of 29 people from Poly, it was really strange to be there without the peeps from my summer project team. Overall, I loved my week there, and wouldn’t have chosen to spend my money or time any other way. The Lord has placed a special passion on my heart for the people of this country, and he whispers so gently and clearly into my heart while I am there. Will the future hold more trips to El Slav? Only my Savior knows. Needless to say, it was wonderful to be back.
In other news: school is so lame. I seriously detest it sometimes. I used to have this passion for learning and eagerly anticipated the start of a new quarter. I would listen to my professors in lecture, hanging on their every word, hoping that they would notice my excitement for their classes. Now I just sit there, ho-hum, watching the seconds tick away on the clock in the back of the room, hoping the professor doesn’t notice how frequently I turn my head and look backwards to check the time. I had to buy two tiny (around 200 p) French texts for about $250, and I can’t even really read them (because, let’s face it…I don’t really comprehend French). I have homework for the first time tonight, and I feel myself growing more and more apathetic towards the text. In this case, I’m not so happy to be back.
Economics update: back in the work force. Double timing. I’m starting to Nanny for two families here in SLO for just a few hours a week. Sophia, a 3 year old whose energy is only surpassed by her immense appetite should be a handful. After watching her last night, I had a nightmare that it was my responsibility to put her to bed. Oh dear. Cassius, a 3 week old boy is so tiny and so sweet. I hope I don’t break him when I hold him. Baby got back.
Forecast: finally submitted my application to Campus Crusade today. It’s official folks….I’m planning to intern with Crusade here in SLO after I graduate in December. I am excited/nervous/overjoyed/anxious/shaking in my boots. Ministry is my passion. I just love sharing the gospel. I just fear raising support. All of your prayers for my heart are appreciated. I trust a big God for big results. I really do believe that he loves me, that he has a marvelous plan for my life, and that this plan includes joining staff with Campus Crusade. After all of this time wandering away from his fold, making my own plans for the future; I’m following his lead as he calls me back.
I guess that’s all for now. My heart hurts today, and I’m not really sure why. I feel like I’m being refined. And I feel the tender touch of the Lord as he molds me into his image. He is protecting me from what could be big time heartache, and yet I still feel the pang of loss as I surrender my plans to him each day. It is good, hard, stressful, painful, lonely, exciting, satisfying, to be back.
Most of you have already heard that I will be going back to El Salvador with a team from Cal Poly over our spring break. We are scheduled to leave late on March 20th and will be back on the 28th. I am so excited to be going back, and even more excited to say that there is a team of close to 30 that is going! What a blessing! This will be somewhat of a vision trip, a way for Poly students to get their feet wet and see what ministry in El Salv looks like. We will be working with the STINT team to share the gospel on some of the same campuses I was on this summer.
We had our first official team meeting on Friday, and I am thrilled about our team. Jacob and Caellin will be leading the trip, and there will be several other staff members from SLO Crusade joining. Jacob asked us to go around the circle and introduce ourselves. We also had to use one word to describe our feelings about the trip to El Salv, and announce our favorite color. Most used some variant of the word ”excited” (think stoked, pumped, very excited and VERY VERY excited), which is great. I said I was “compelled.” I am compelled to go back. Please be praying for this enthusiastic group!
In other news, about 2/3 of the team loves the color blue.
We were also encouraged by Caellin to go out sharing on the Cal Poly campus over the next 3 weeks, to get in the swing of campus ministry. I appreciate your prayers for our ministry here and in Central America…I have already made plans to go out to do Soularium with a friend on mine on Tuesday! Should be wonderful.
Mondays normally aren’t so great, and I have to be honest, mine started out about status quo. However, things took a turn for the better during my discipleship appointment with Caellin this afternoon. Here’s a list of reasons why today was a great day:
1. Decided that I’m going to El Salv. for spring break….last minute, I’ll admit. Am I 5 days past the sign-up deadline? Yes. Yes I am. But I’m still going. I’m stoked.
2. Had a great swim workout with Brook at the Rec Center. I really love working out with my dear friend! I feel this deep, good tired feeling, which is great.
3. Received an email from my French prof this weekend saying that the high score on our midterm last week was 83%, and the average as in the F range. Bummer. I got my exam back today, expecting the worse. I was thrilled to find out I got a 79%. Never have I been so thrilled to get a C.
4.
I may elaborate on #4 at a more appropriate time. Until then, just know its good.
I love meteor showers. I mean, really love them. I love to look up into the dark night sky and see the stars. The blackness of the night is pierced by the brilliant light of the beautiful stars each clear winter night, but last night was extra special. Last night, December 13, 2008, was the Geminids meteor shower. From what I hear, it is the second biggest of the year, just behind the famed Perseid meteor shower of mid August.
Last night, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner reunion with half of the team that went on project to El Salvador this past summer. We convened at Jacob and Caellin’s home for delicious homemade burgers (thanks Jacob!) and a perfectly constructed caesar salad made by none other than Adam S. Nixon. It was so much fun to be able to see Sara, Kaylee, Alyssa, Adam and Kelly last night. We laughed and reminisced as if no time has passed at all since we last saw each other in August. I love friendships like these….they are just so natural. After a rousing game of Bang, Jacob, Caellin, Sara, Kaylee, Kelly and myself headed out for an after dinner stroll around the Douglas’ neighborhood.
It was the coldest night we’ve had since I’ve been here this quarter. I love cold nights. They make me want to snuggle up to the people I love, and believe me, that’s big for me. Let’s just say that physical touch isn’t my cardinal love language.
Anyway, as we headed out of the house, I mentioned to my cohorts that Dec. 13th is a big night for meteors. I second guessed my announcement as soon as I made it (why do I lack such confidence in myself?). I then mumbled that we probably wouldn’t see many shooting stars, thanks to the amazingly bright gibbous moon that was rising in the eastern sky. Just then, a bright meteor streaked across the winter night. It was breathtaking. We preceded to walk up to the San Luis Obispo adult school baseball field, and turned with our backs against the bright moonlight to see what we could of the meteor shower. I saw at least 10 shooting stars, each more beautiful than the last. I even got to share my (very small) knowledge about meteor showers with Jacob, which was great.
After a half hour or so of star gazing, we returned to Jacob and Caellin’s home and were reunited with Alyssa and Adam. We played what I believe to be the funniest game of “Telephone Pictionary” that I’ve ever played. We laughed and enjoyed good time together as members of Christ’s body. I mean, the whole reason we ever met in the first place was because we went out into ministry. Later that night we saw a bunch more SLO students who were spending time at Alyssa’s house. The night was filled with fun and unexpected happy moments. It was the merriest night of the Christmas season so far.
All in all, I just feel so loved by my Heavenly Father. He loves me so well, so perfectly. He whispers his love to me in the most amazing ways: through genuine community where He is glorified, through beautiful displays of the heavens that he created, through the wintery weather he sent me today. I feel his unfailing love in the steady drum of the rain on my roof right now, and through the remembrance of the gift of his Son that he gave us. He is Emmanuel. He sent his Son to reunite me with him. To reunite you with him. He loves us each so well. I want to overflow with thanks to Him.
I have been thinking lately about how people view our God. I was thinking about how they see him as unapproachable, unreachable, unattainable. I have seen this in my own life, and it has been amplified by my time here in El Salvador. I see how one in three Salvadorians is ”born again” yet don’t really experience life in abundance thanks to a skewed view of the Mighty One. For most Christians here, following Christ is about following a bunch of rules, and not about entering into the most intimate relationship of their existence. As I was thinking, I remembered a humorous rendition of this world view. Here’s a little insight into how people think here (and everyone):
Funny, because it’s truly what people believe about Christ sometimes. I have news for those of you who see Christianity as a bunch of rules, regulations, and restraints. Following Christ and surrendering my plans to his has shown me the most freedom and peace I’ve ever experienced. This week has been huge in that. I’ve been contemplating Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2. It’s a prayer of complete surrender, the prayer of a dead man. I must continually die to myself, and in this way be sanctified by the blood of Christ. That’s what Christ is about. Freedom through surrender.
“but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
-Isaiah 40:31
Ok, confession time. Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that some verses are too “cliché” to be applicable to my life. Isaiah 40:31 has pretty much always fallen into that category of cliché scripture in my mind, most likely because I spent 2 years at a Christian school that used this verse as a reason to be the BCHS Eagles. Lame. Not the whole school, just the fact that 80% of Christian schools use this verse as a motto and an eagle as a mascot. Ok, I made up that stat. Anyway, my friend Xavier (Salvadorian) just graduated from Josué Christian School here in San Salvador. Guess what their mascot was? The Eagles. Proof that the eagle is an over-used mascot in Christian schools AROUND THE GLOBE. What exactly is so holy about eagles anyway? Nothing as far as I can tell. End of rant.
The Lord definitely has been teaching me a thing or two about how important and “un-cliché” the whole Word of God is. He keeps bringing this verse to my mind each day here in El Salv. I’ve been here for over 2 weeks now, and fatigue hasn’t got the best of me yet. I definitely don’t have the strength to go on my own power. I believe the reason for this is that I want to renew my strength each day by putting my hope in the Lord. So, what does it mean to hope in the Lord? I’ve been really digesting this as I have been working on a devotional called Thirsty while here on project (it’s a new release, and may not be added to the posted link for a bit). I need to be emptied of myself, confessing my dirt, grime and sin before a holy and righteous God, and then ask and believe that I am empowered, filled up and controlled by his Holy Spirit. Its a miracle.
And that is what my hope in Him looks like. I hope (I have an ultimate expectation) that He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me of unrighteousness. See 1 John 1:9. I hope in the salvation of my soul, that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. See Philippians 1:6. I hope that my Lord is made known in my weakness, that he is so great that he can use my sin to draw others into a knowledge of who he is. This is where I draw strength. A crazy amazing breakfast, a great team, relationships with students and a Hilton Princess bed will only leave me weary in comparison with the renewed strength I get from putting my hope in him, the Everlasting One.
Pray for Olga, Delmy and Johanna…the girls who accepted Christ with me last week. Pray that they would feel urged to come to our follow-up meeting this next week, that they would desire to know more about this salvation that they have been adopted into. Pray for our ministry, which will be completely on Universidad Evangélica for the next two weeks. Pray for momentum, for ministry contacts and for a MOVEMENT. We want to see a growing, thriving movement here in El Salvador. A movement that provides fellowship, accountability and friendship while reaching out to all of the lost souls in the community. Pray that our team would not grow weary while doing good, but that we would see the fields that are white with harvest. We want to go out in the name of Christ, in whom we are more than conquerers.
I appreciate all of your prayer support! It’s helping me to renew my strength!
Photo Update:
Day off….at Sunzal Beach with Alyssa!
Ordering Chinese food in Spanish poses a challenge….
Your eyes do not deceive you. Genuine “Sara” soup found at your local Hiper Paiz (Salvadorian Wal Mart).
At the Dinner Party hosted by Lio and Luchi (National Crusade Directors). We met up, ate and danced alongside the Destino Summer Project team. A great night!
Alyssa and I at the Vida Estudaintil Party yesterday. We had students in attendance from 4 different universities in San Salvador!
…well not quite photo journalism. But I did add a El Salvador photos link on the right side of my page…check it out to see all of the action that I’ve been experiencing.
Praise the Lord! Xavier, John and I had the opportunity to pray with three girls to receive Christ today. It was the first time I’ve been able to pray with students to accept the Gospel. So encouraging! Pray for Delmy, Olga and Johanna as they enter into a life with Christ. We’ll do some follow up Bible study with them starting on Friday.
Also pray for the first Vida Estudiantil meeting tomorrow at Universidad Evangélica. Pray that students would get connected, start the movement. Pray that it would be more than a self-sustaining ministry, but that it would be a place of outreach, discipleship and a sending ground to the nations. Pray for a MOVEMENT. It’s what we’re about. And by “we” I mean all followers of Christ. That means you too! Your support means the world to me!
Here’s how the Lord is revealing himself to me while I’m here. He’s so faithful to lead me, to give me nourishment for my soul. I can’t imagine life without him! From Psalm 2:7-8:
Tomorrow morning I am heading out to Vanguard University in southern California. I will be there for the next few days. I’m meeting my team, learning more about the ministry that lies ahead and preparing for life outside the US.
Tonight I had a sweet commissioning/prayer time with my family, along with the Chesney and Burt families. We had some time to share about the different ministries that 5 of us will be embarking on in the next few weeks. It was so sweet to be surrounded by fellow believers, senders, and those going out into the mission field. I was reminded of my calling, refreshed and am ready to minister out of “overflow.” That is, my ministry is the result of my love of Christ, my desire to know him and make him known in this world. Wow. What a great way to spend my life. Thanks to the support of everyone, I can share the love I know with others. My gratitude is so deep.
David Chez read to us tonight…words of refreshment, of preparation for the mission field from Luke 10: After this the Lord appointed seventy-twoothers and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Prayers for myself and other missionaries that I met with this evening:
Megan Chez- headed to Argentina with CSIDE bright and early tomorrow morning, will be there until July 3
Morgan Burt- also going to Argentina with CSIDE…
Julie Chez- flying to Tanzania with two other women from First Pres Bako on Friday
Amy Kelly-my dear lil sis will also be going to San Salvador (same locale as myself) with Teen Mania within the week…it would be sweet if we ran into each other over the trip!
My team-communication/language barriers…I get the feeling that there are very few bilingual participants…pray that my nerves will be calm and that the HS will flow through me as I try to interpret/translate. It is very taxing and nerve racking to think about being a main source for communication!
For international flights, the luggage weight limit is set at a strict 50 lbs. Therefore, I will be packing all of my clothing for my 6 week project, meanwhile keeping track of the weight of my bag. My mom, sister and I shopped around at Kohl’s tonight in search of the perfect mid-sized luggage. I found a satisfactory piece, which I hope will satisfy my need for clothing (two to three weeks worth of underwear) and the regulations on luggage weight.
I also think that the large “AMERICAN TOURISTER” logo on the bag might be a “steal me” sign in Spanish. Oh well. God will provide for our safety
Also, I read up on “Cruzada” the Latin American branch of Campus Crusade for Christ tonight. Pray that I would be able to memorize scripture in Spanish this next week!
“Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino , la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.”
Ordering Chinese food in Spanish poses a challenge….
At the Dinner Party hosted by Lio and Luchi (National Crusade Directors). We met up, ate and danced alongside the Destino Summer Project team. A great night!
Alyssa and I at the Vida Estudaintil Party yesterday. We had students in attendance from 4 different universities in San Salvador!
