I can't believe the week is over!

A week ago we landed in Cartagena, Colombia. Today we start our travel back to Michigan. This week has been a reminder that God has a plan, even when we doubt, even when we have fear, and even when we don't understand. 

Each Day it seemed as though He was whispering," I am near! Let me lead, trust me." 

On the way to the airport last week, we received an email from our friends Nick and Erin informing us that some of our agenda had changed. Nothing too difficult, working on an Island and teaching an English class for 20 YWAM students.  Honestly we had nothing to do but pray that God would provide since it was too late to purchase any materials.

God provided
Stephany Houseman was a last minute add to our team. Not only is she a teacher but she also came to Colombia when we taught the week long English class 2 years ago! God knew that we needed her!

Next step was arriving in Cartagena and going through customs. Our bags were packed with generous donations of school supplies, hygiene kits, toiletries and lice kits. When they examined our bags the custom officials were suspicious of our intentions and were not going to allow us to bring these items into Colombia. As our team prayed, I began use every bit of Spanish that I knew to ask for their leniency. I knew that this was bigger than I was able to handle and so as I began to ask for their support of our work at El Refugio I also was asking God to make a way for this to happen.  In a moment, everything changed! The woman across from me in the customs uniform politely asked us to bring a letter next time stating what our mission was and who we would be working with. God mad a way! God Provided again!

Spa days were exciting, fun, challenging and humbling. The work was long, but so rewarding. We thought of the people who donated the supplies throughout the day and were so grateful for their partnership with us! We were asked to bring 60 hygiene kits to give to the children after their spa experience. After counting the kits we were so excited that we had brought 70 kits. Little did we know that the response of the community would be so great. After all of the kits had been handed out Max and Stephany realized that there were more children who needed one. They began to rummage through our supplies and created just enough kits for all of the children. God provided just enough!

Thursday, we began our time of teaching English to 20 YWAM students. We arrived at the school and were so excited to be given an air conditioned room. Shortly after we entered into the room we were politely asked to go to another location to teach the class. After we arrived at the new location, I was amazed to see a beautiful outside area that had, shade, tables and lots of room for our conversational activities! God Provided more than I could have imagined!

Thursday afternoon God gave us the greatest gift! We walked through the community of Loma Fresca, where many of the students that attend El Refugio live. It was a desperately poor area. Our hearts were filled with joy and sadness as we prayed with families, smiled and greeted children and were face to face with poverty. How is this a gift? Everything made sense to us concerning the children that we cared for on our spa days. The simple acts of washing feet, hair and hands were a luxury that these children to not get very often. God gave us the gift of understanding His plan to share a loving touch with the children that He loves so much!

What a week! God is good and has a plan for the people of Cartagena! We have been blessed and changed forever!