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!

Spa day 2

We started off the day and headed to El Refugio to continue our work from yesterday. As we did yesterday, we started out with devotions with the staff from there. We were overwhelmed today with the increasing number of people that showed up compared to the number yesterday. The morning started off smoothly, and as the day went on, more and more people showed up. We found ourselves praying for time to get to each and every person, time to "multiply" and allow us to show love to each child and parent who came through the door. 


Many team members were stretched out of their comfort zones as tasks needed to be completed. The boys stepped up to paint nails, others worked in the heat touching up paint, and yet others continued the job of washing and de-licing hair. Although the language barrier still exists, we are learning that through creative communication, God has allowed us to speak into their lives while they are definitely speaking into ours. 

A very specific way we saw God smiling on us today was the handing out of hygiene kits. Before the trip many people generously donated items such as shampoo, deodorant, hair accessories, cotton swabs, etc. to give to the children of El Refugio. The impact of such a small gift was amazing. As more and more people came in though, the supplies seemed to be dwindling. Toward the end, two of us counted the kids left, counted the kits, pulled together everything we had, and had EXACTLY the right amount. Not too much, not too little. Another reminder that God knew exactly who would walk through those doors and exactly what we would need. 

Tonight we talked about how God is molding us into the people He wants us to be. At times we may resist God's molding, but we all shared how this trip was meant for each of us in a unique way, and how God continues to shape us through new opportunities, friendships and experiences. 

The spa

  Today, in this amazing Country, we spent our day washing hair, painting nails, painting fences, washing feet, making kids smile, and many more great things. Our day was kicked off when we arrived at el refugio and spoke with the Martin and the rest of the stunning el refugio staff. Some of us were in charge of painting an iron fence in front of the refuge, others were interacting with the "customers" of our "spa", some people were washing feet and hands, and all others were scavenging through locks in search of Phthiraptera (Lice). As the kids arrived they were greeted by our lovely hostess' will & Stephanie. After they conversated and colored, they were guided to their second part of their cleansing which was washing their feet, hands, and painting nails which were done by our manicurist'/pedicurists' David, Jake, Rachel, And Aubrey. After they got their nails restored, they were brought to the hair cleaners which were John, Jann, and Tyler. At this point the children and mothers have made new friends, got their feet and hands cleaned, their nails painted, and their hair washed clean of Phthiraptera.You may think that their spa day is over but think again. Their day was capped off by giving each of the kids and mothers a personal hygiene kit which consisted of deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and much more! You could really see how god was working throughout the day when he brought over 20 women and children to get cleaned and how seeing their face after their cleansing. We concluded our day worshiping with Wilson and of course watching the NCAA finals b-ball game.

Worship in Cartegena

Today, we helped to spread God's kingdom.  Our mission group had the opportunity to preform a skit for the public community of Cartagena. Non-believers stopped and watched our performance.  Our team had the opportunity to communicate with Colombians and share the word of God.  The hope of the churches gathered was that common citizens left changed forever.  We were able to also watch other churches do performances.  Then, we took a break and went to Crepes and Waffles (a restaurant in the city center).

 We regenerated our spirts and refueled our bodies.  Finally, we had a chance to worship God.  A band played on a huge stage. There was a massive crowd of many churches and non-believers that were moved and influenced by the Spirit of God.  People were dancing and everyone was worshiping with all their heart, soul, and mind.  We then returned back to the apartment and thanked God for such a blessed day.

Cartegena

We arrived late late last night and slept hearing the waves. We have already seen the goodness of the Lord passing through customs.  He went before us gave us great conversations with the custom officials and blessed us with no problems.

Nick and Erin Glab have been wonderful hosts and have prepared lovely accommodations for us.

The team is excited to get going and are ready for a day of ministry. Pray for us as we go into the city center and perform a drama and minister to people.

We met our cook Celia this morning pray for our conversations with her and that she would feel the love of Christ.

Panama

We have arrived in Panama and are just hanging out till our flight to Cartegena.

April 2014

April 2014

Our Spring trip is coming soon and we would love for you to partner with us in prayer. Attached is our prayer guide for the week. We know that we never go on these trips alone! All of our friends go with us in prayer and the Lord Himself goes before us, works through us and follows us as our rear guard!