Time for a Break

It's Saturday!!

That means I got to sleep in until 6:15am (When you wake up at 5:15 during the week this extra one hour of sleep is glorious...and the best part is not having to get up just yet. Laying there knowing I have no commitments this morning is a good feeling) 7:30 I'm up with pajamas still on but ready to slowly get the day started. The eggs are on the stove, coffees brewing, laundry is in the washing machine, happy upbeat music is playing in the background, the sun is shining through the window, and it's the first day of spring break, baby!!

I'm going to be honest this update won't be your typical "Here's what we're doing down here letter" but rather a post of vulnerability. Slumps. We all have them. Yes, even missionaries believe it or not. For me this past month has been hard. If you're a teacher you understand when you have 23 students (active first graders at that) it's hard to keep patient. I was becoming irritated with all. the. things. From asking questions after I explain something because they weren't listening, to blaming others, parent meetings because of misbehavior, being called "Miss!" countless times, students interrupting me while talking to other students, getting asked "What do I do when I'm done?" the list goes on...

It got to the point where I just snapped. Seeing the look on that child's face made me realize how much I need Jesus. I need HIS love to get through each day. I need HIS patience to love well. I need HIS guidance to shepherd the hearts of these kids. They didn't deserving the way I was acting toward them nor was I conducting myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. I confessed. God forgave. I apologized to my class for being "irritated" knowing it was a big word for my English Language Learner students trying to find ways to explain it, "you know when you're really tired and you're just frustrated and angry at every little thing?"  "yes," they said. "Well that's how I've been feeling and acting towards you and I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" and in chorus they all said, "of course!"

So I've decided to make a list to remind myself why I do what I do and why I love it.

Top 10 List of Why I Love Teaching First Grade
1. They forgive and forget so easily
2. They love learning and are like sponges soaking up every word
3. The little things excite them in life
4. They start making connections with everything in life between subjects to their own personal experiences
5. Their faith in Christ is so genuine
6. You can act silly in front of them and they have no judgement and just laugh along with you
7. They're not ashamed to give you a hug
8. They affirm you of how you are "the BEST. TEACHER. EVER." even though they just got in trouble by you five minutes ago
9. They're funny and make you laugh
10. There's never a dull moment! It's a messy job that involves cleaning up vomit, peed pants, and sometimes even poop but someones gotta do it! (and then it makes for a good story to laugh about at the end of the day)

I'm so thankful and looking forward to this very much needed week off and pray that the Lord would renew my spirit and fill me up with His Love to pour out and finish this last stretch of school year strong!

I encourage you if you're in that kind of slump right now. Take a minute and pause asking yourself why are you there? It's probably because you're not relying as much as you need to on the Lord. Repent. Ask forgiveness and ask the Lord to bring to mind the things He has blessed you with thanking Him for giving you this life and moment to live. It will make all the difference and help you change your attitude.

School ends June 3rd. And for those of you who don't know I have decided to take on the same role for at least one more year as the first grade teacher at ECA. I've learned so much through this year and look forward to another year at this place where Christ is being taught and proclaimed and students are receiving the Word of God daily!

In Colombian News...
If you haven't heard in the news this past week Colombia was shaken up by deadly landslides in the southwest part of the country taking the lives of over 250 people. You can read more about it here. Families have been separated, people wounded, and homes lost. It's been encouraging seeing the local Church in Colombia take action to send relief teams down and collect non-perishable items for them. Please keep Mocoa, Colombia in your prayers. That the Lord would be glorified through this tragedy and people would come to know Him.

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We are still at about 75% of our monthly support goal. Please pray about joining our team financially and being part of the work and change God is doing here in Colombia through Christian education and college ministry. If you're feeling called to give you can do so by clicking here.

And the Two Shall Become One...

Edwin and I got married January 9, 2016 here in Colombia. It was a beautiful time celebrating with family and friends as God united our lives to become one flesh. 

We spent our honeymoon in El Salvador at a small little resort on the beach in the middle of nowhere and it was truly a blessing from the Lord being able to spend our first week of marriage together in such a beautiful, relaxing place. We returned to Bogotá and had a few days to start adapting to life as a married couple and getting settled down in our apartment before the busyness of work and his studies kicked in again.

Since being married people in Colombia always ask why I changed my last night (technically it's not legally changed yet but at least it's Facebook official heh). I respond by telling them I have always dreamed of changing my last name since that's the tradition in the states.  The old Colombian tradition is you put a de (of) behind the wife's last name as "property" of the man. Nowadays they just don't change anything. I personally like the changing name tradition because that's exactly what happens.  The two become one flesh and there's no going back. 

What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.

Mark 10:9

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ECA

Hiking at middle school retreat

Middle School Retreat
A couple weeks ago the 7th and 8th graders had a retreat.  Since I'm a small group leaders for a group of six 7th grade girls I had the privilege of going on the retreat with them.  It's always fun hanging out with the students in a different environment.  We talked about Intimacy with God -- why it's important having a personal relationship with Him. Sometimes it's hard talking with them just because they go to a Christian school and "know it all" but having taken it to heart.  However, I trust that seeds are being planted. Also the 8th grade this year were my 5th graders so it's fun working with them and seeing how they have grown.

Activity with high school small group

High School Retreat
Something this semester at ECA that has been different is that they have asked me to co-lead a high school small group.  At the school I usually help with elementary through middle school so it's exciting having a change of adding high schoolers to the mix. We had the high school retreat at a small town outside of Bogotá at a retreat center.  The theme was on Trusting the Lord and was definitely a theme that I needed to be reminded of and encouraged in.  It was refreshing spending time with high schoolers. I always get excited working with high schoolers because that's the age that the Lord caught my heart and I really "got it" and made my faith my own.  

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Foundation FormaVida
This semester I continue to go the foundation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when I'm not at school.  I've had the opportunity to the give the devotion to the older high school students group.  Also, Edwin's been up to come up with me and help with a construction project and also give a devotion to the high school group. It was really cool leading the group together and felt so natural for us to do ministering to youth.

There's also a teenage boy (picture on right) that needs to take an English exam halfway through March. He has lupus and usually studies from home.  On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings I've had the opportunity to help him with English preparing him for the exam.

One thing to be praying about is that some of the public schools that some of our kids attend on the mountain have started an after-school program providing sports, music, art classes, etc.  Which is good. However, since they are half days the programs are the other part of the day.  They are not fed lunch, nor instructed Bible teachings. We're trying to get permission from the schools to approve and recognize us as well so our students can come to the foundation (where we were already doing that stuff) So that they also may get Bible teaching and Christian values as well and a healthy lunch. 

The last Saturday of each month the 10th grade ECA class goes to do service at FormaVida and I always love seeing the students we're teaching and equipping to serve outside of school take ownership to serve and teach the love of Christ to others.

ECA student with some of the kiddos

ECA giving a Bible Lessons to the kids

I love these kiddos so much!

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Vida Para Colombia

(Campus Crusade)
While Edwin finishes his studies in Mechanical Engineering, he is still in the process of raising support to be able to work full time and dive into college campus ministry.  It's been hard since Colombians aren't used to giving to missionaries, especially ones that stay in Bogota and aren't working with indigenous or out of the country. But we feel that this call is from God and will keep on obeying.  Edwin is only a couple hundred Colombian pesos ($100 USD) short a month to reaching his monthly goal ($500/mo USD). Please pray that God would raise up Colombians to help support financially so Edwin can start ministering on the campuses. 


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Prayer Requests: 

• God raising up Colombians to financially support Edwin so he can fully dive into working for God's Kingdom through Campus Crusade Colombia 

• That our marriage and lives would glorify the Lord.

• That God would use us as a couple encouraging one another in the ministries that God has placed us

• That the government approves the kids at school to come to our after-school program at FormaVida

Transition Time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

This past year has flown by and these past few months have been a whirlwind of transition and even more is yet to come! Since August 2015 I have gotten engaged, helped lead a church youth retreat and high school mission trip, taught 7th graders and help them lead a service day, and have spent any free time I've had to prepare for a wedding and searching for  things needed to live in an apartment after the January wedding with my HUSBAND. 

I say husband because we are now legally married by the Colombian government but won't consider ourselves married until after our wedding with a pastor (that's the custom for Christians in Colombia) 

So yes I am married but we still have yet to become one/live together which will happen after the bigger wedding ceremony here in Bogota that some of my family and friends will come down for! Please pray for their travels and that everything goes smooth! We have seen the hand of God in all of this.  He has blessed us beyond anything we imagined especially by getting legally married (which usually happens in a local notary) on the beach of Colombian (where Edwin is from) December 22, 2015! I never thought I would've gotten married on the beach!

Finally I'm in a place where I can (kind of) rest.  So I want to share a little with how the semester ended with church, ECA, and the foundation. 

Campamentol (Youth group retreat)

Los Latingos

In October the youth group at my church went to a small colonial town three hours outside of Bogota in the mountains where we had a 3 day retreat. I was asked to lead a small group and we called ourselves los latingos (latino and gringo "north american" in one) I led bible studies and we had a fun time getting to know each other and encourage each other in our faith in Christ. 

Futuro Juvenil 

In November I and a fellow ECA teacher led a mission trip to an orphanage a couple hours outside of Bogota with 3 ECA high school girls.  There are about 30 kids at the orphanage ranging from ages 5-18. It's set up like a camp where the kids have house moms and there are different houses for different ages.  Our girls led games, crafts, and devotionals with the orphans there.  I was able to sit down with a 17 year old girl and she explained to me how God has given her a second chance because she grew up in the orphanage, ran away and experienced some awful things, went back and didn't think they would allow her back in. (They don't allow kids back in especially if they're getting older and put them on a waiting list) She said there was another family before her on the waiting list but for some reason they let her in before them.  She was amazed and said at that point she realized just how much God loves her and wants to live a life for Him. Praise the Lord! 

Decorating Journals

helping out with the craft at the orphanage

Foundation FormaVida

I finished my last day of the year at the foundation December 15.  For the past month I had been helping Laura (one of the leaders at the foundation) translate videos and emails/documents helping her prepare her time in the states where she's at right now sharing their vision of adding a multipurpose basketball/soccer/volleyball court to draw youth from the community to the church and eventually to Christ. The kids in the foundation are still as cute as ever and I was able to help 10th grade ECA students celebrate Christmas with the kids at the foundation where we gave them new toys for Christmas.  It makes my heart so happy seeing high schoolers take ownership of serving and sharing the love of Christ! 

10th grade ECA handing out presents to kids at the foundation!

Celebrating my birthday at the foundation!

What's Next?! 

I'll be going back to work at the school until June and foundation in 2016 with the thought of this being my last semester at ECA and working full time up at the foundation after June/July 2016.  With that being said I would also like you to hear from my husbands heart what he will be doing this next year while finishing up his studies in mechanical engineering: 

When I started college I got involved with the Christian ministry Generaciones con Proposito (Gerneations with Purpose -- Campus Crusade) where a group of college students preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to fellow classmates. Together with them I learned many things like preaching on college campuses to fellow classmates and how to live for Christ in college.  Also, it was an instrument God used to help me deepen my faith in Him. After some time I became the leader of my college group. I worked in that position for about 3 years and I saw many students confirm their faith in Christ and others come to know Christ! Right now I feel God has called me to continue to work with Campus Crusade but in a full time position. What I will be doing starting next year after raising sufficient support is be in charge of three universities, training and equipping the leaders of each of those groups and discipling students.  We are also praying for and look at ways to expand this ministry to other colleges where there is no Christian campus ministry. 

Edwin with some of GP students

Since we are both in missionary positions, we’re praying and trusting God to provide people who will prayerfully give financially to us as we work for the kingdom together as a married couple. After getting married in January we’ll be working in our separate ministries; I’ll continue working with ECA and the foundation FormaVida and Edwin finishing his studies and with Campus Crusade. We have the same Kingdom purpose: to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. We’ll still try and find ways to help and support each other in our ministries. Will you consider giving to Edwin and me as a couple?  My budget has been $550/month as an individual, and Edwin and I still need $450 more per month to reach a goal of $1000/month to live here in Colombia.  

The easiest way to give is by clicking here to go to the RCE website (a 501(c)(3)  tax deductible charitable organization) 

All you need to do is fill out the information and choose one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

If you have any further questions about what we are doing, feel free to email me. (alliemitchell23@gmail.com) We would love to hear from you! 

Some specifics we're needing and praying God will provide for the apartment are: a bed, washer/dryer, and furniture (couch, dining room table, etc.) If you would like to make a donation/wedding gift for those specific things you can also do it through RCE and add a note in the "Personal Note" spot. Thanks for being such a blessing in my life and for following me in my adventures of serving the people here of Colombia! I pray that God continues to bless you!!

Falling Out of Love

It's happened. I didn't think it would ever happen to me but it did and it has.  

When learning and studying about cultures there's always stages people go through when experiencing a new place and culture. First,  

The Honeymoon Stage

In this stage you hardly see any flaws. Everything is new and exciting! Differences aren't that big of a deal because you are so focused on learning all the new things and soaking it all in that the differences seem small. For me in Colombia this lasted pretty much for 2.5 years! (one year I was on the world race away from it but in my mind while I was away only thought of the good and beautiful parts of Colombia.) I mean I'm sure there were moments but I don't remember so many moments in my first year being here of being super frustrated with traffic, pollution, people, lack of punctuality, and difference in priorities.  To me it was like "eh that's just how things are here and I want to learn more!" Plus I was really focused on just learning the language too.  

Culture Shock, Adjustment, & Adaption 

are the following stages of the "culture shock curve." Since being back my role has changed and I'm more involved in the culture.  My first year I lived with Americans, worked with Americans, and only saw Colombians on the weekends at church or occasionally for coffee.  My focus was teaching and school...let alone it was my FIRST year of teaching which has it's own culture shock & survival mode in itself.  

I didn't have to travel in public transportation often
Now going to the foundation, church, and to see Edwin I take public transportation which almost always consists of the infamous "trancon" traffic of Bogotá. (Also, it doesn't help Edwin lives 1.5 hours away in a bus but in miles it's only 18 miles! I'm so ready to be married and change that!)  

I wasn't involved in many Colombian groups where I attend meetings
I'm involved in a couple groups at my Colombian church where we have meetings. Meetings here are different.  Since they are a people first culture they talk about everything in life and take "breaks" during the meeting to drink coffee & eat a snack.  This is definitely not a bad thing! Just not as efficient as the US culture I grew up in....1 hour meetings there take about 3-4 hours here.  Again, not bad...just when you a used to something else it's difficult.  

Punctuality...
Colombians acknowledge that they aren't the most punctual people.  There are some things you need to be early to that are doctor's appointments, work, and important meetings. However, everything else that is personal or family/friends gatherings, and weddings it's a whole different story.  It says it starts at 4pm but really that means 5:30/6pm.  Traffic does play a role in this but it also can be a matter of priorities. If people are at a meeting or meeting up with someone they probably value it more important to stay and talk with that person than to be on time to the next event which consequently makes them late.  To be honest part of this has rubbed off on me! When I was home in October I found myself acting more "Colombian."  My mom said to go to the bridal shop a little after 10am.  In my mind now a little after means I have a gap of 15 minutes to get there but in her mind a couple minutes means no later than 10:05! Ha...oops. 

Also, I found it hilarious that at the camp I was just at this weekend each group had points to earn in different categoriesvand one category was punctuality.  In my mind it was like "ok here are the times so be there on time and all the groups that are there before it starts you get a point."  So once the first whistle blew for dinner EVERYONE started running to the dining room.  I was so confused at what was going on.  It was then I realized punctuality to them means "RUN AND THE FIRST GROUP THERE IS ON TIME!" :-) 

I am not bashing Colombia's culture and I hope it hasn't come across that way.  I've learned a bunch in premarital counseling with Edwin and our differences and how they aren't bad and actually can compliment each other.  Shoot. I love Colombia.  I'm MARRYING into this culture.  I'm learning to adapt & adjust.  It's not easy but as I was reading Isaiah tonight the Lord convicted me.  

Isaiah 6:8 says, "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

I made the choice 3 years ago to leave my family, friends, culture to come serve the beautiful people of Colombia (and latin america).  I was willing 3 years ago to say "Here am I! Send me." In spite of cultural differences, in spite of pollution, traffic, punctuality, and customs that are not mine. Shoooot I've made a decision to marry into this culture! But unfortunately I had lost that "in spite of" focus and God is refocusing me on Him and His work He is doing here and renewing His love in me for these broken teenagers, single moms, and beautiful people that He created and has the desire and plan to REDEEM.  I am here for the Lord.  I AM willing to adjust and adapt to this culture and other cultures where God may take Edwin and I to share His gospel. I really don't think Colombia & the United States are the only countries God has on His list for us. So more culture shock cycles to come -- HOORAY! It's not easy but it's SO worth it! 

So it's happened. I fell out of love with Colombia. (not to be mistaken with Edwin!)  But God has used this time to show me that yes there are differences and I did not say it was going to be easy to follow Me but TRUST ME -- I am falling back into love with this country and recognize that there are things about this culture that are out of my control and I cannot and will never change but I'll keep moving forward and accept it, learn from it, lean on the Lord, ENJOY IT, and focus on serving God IN SPITE of these differences. 

Leading & Learning

Here's a quick update of what's been going on in Colombia and what's coming up! 

6th Grade at la Luz del Mundo

El Camino Academy

In school I've been helping with ELL and helping out at school with social service events which is SO cool seeing preK-12 serving the Lord! 

At school I'm also doing something called Mission Spot.  It's a 15 minute session every Friday with 1st-8th graders where we watch a movie and then relate it to missions and serving Christ.  We're watching the book of Acts The Visual Bible which is the Bible word for word acted out. It's an old version but it's been really good! Right now we're in Chapter 7 and Stephen's speech before getting stoned and how he mentions three important men of God from the old testament so we took the past three weeks to talk about Abraham, Joseph, and Moses and how God used each of them to do the work of the Lord and relate it to our lives.  It's also been a good reminder to me of God's faithfulness and God's purpose and heart of reaching the Gospel to every nation! 

Foundation FormaVida

Lately in FormaVida we've been reading through the Jesus Storybook Bible...with a TWIST! A mission group from Montana came down in August and donated Bilingual Storybook Bibles! So we've been reading it in English and Spanish to the kids in the program so that they can listen to it in English since some of them are taking English classes in school.  Today I read it in Spanish and another missionary, Meredith, from the states who's here for the next month painting murals read the English part. I've also been taking my nail polish up there and the girls LOVE IT. 

Painting fingernails!

Reading the Jesus Storybook at FormaVida!

Also I think what she's doing is SO cool. It's kind of like the World Race but with a more focused intention of painting murals in several different countries and doing it alone. So far she's been to Mozambique, Peru, now Colombia, going home for the holidays, and then the Philippines and some other places I can't remember right now...but check out her blog! 

Coming Up Next!

Colombian Church Youth Group Retreat

This weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1) The youth group from my Colombian church (CDC) is going to Villa de Leyva which is a beautiful mountain town 3 hours north of Bogotá. We're having a retreat there and I'm in charge of a group of girls! Please pray for me.  I have all the material and have to lead them in Biblical discussions.  As you know Spanish is not my first language so I'm a little nervous about that! After freaking out for a few minutes the Lord reminded me of 1 Corinthians 1:27....

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 

Don't get me wrong I love speaking Spanish and I'm not afraid to but conversing in Spanish and leading a group of peers in Spanish I feel are pretty different things.  However, I trust the Lord has put me in this position for a reason and I will trust Him humbly knowing that however it goes it is definitely not my work but the Lord's work in me! 

Mission Trip to La Mesa

November 27-29 I have the privilege of leading a group of El Camino Academy students to a different town 2 hours north of Bogotá. Here we will be working with an orphanage with kids and teenagers doing Bible Clubs, games, and more activities.  I've never been so I don't know exactly what it looks like but please join me in praying for this! That the students at ECA will be changed by serving here and will also make a difference and share Christ with the kids and teens we will be working with there! 

Prayer Requests

• Keep loving the kids at the foundation FormaVida and coming up with new ways to teach them about the Lord and show them His Love. 
• Wisdom and SUPERNATURAL Spanish skills in leading teens and peers this weekend at Villa de Leyva. 
• Preparation goes smooth in planning for our mission trip to La Mesa and that we would be a blessing to those who we will be serving! 
• Wedding prep and that God would guide Edwin and I and provide us on where to live here in Bogotá after we get married in January! 

You're...what?!

I'm ENGAGED! And here's the background...

Edwin and I have known each other for 3 years now. We met at church 3 years ago here in Colombia (He's Colombian) and started a friendship (August 2012). Before I went back to the states we were able to spend time on a mission trip (pic in the red shirts) through our church. (I think I liked him by this point

but I definitely denied it in my head and was telling myself that I was leaving and shouldn't do anything about it and so I didn't) I went back to the states in July 2013 and while there Edwin and I started talking on a pretty regular basis and Skype (mostly to practice my Spanish...or so I told myself still denying any feeling I had for him!) but we were able to build a solid friendship through those conversations and in November 2013 I made a trip to Colombia to visit friends before I went on my big World Race adventure. While I was here he had told me he was interested in me and wanted to get to know me more. At the time I too no longer denied those feelings (it was a relief to know that it wasn't just me!) So we kept going forward with it trusting the Lord with His leading.

Birhtday in Bogotá November 2013

So on my trip around Latin America we kept in touch with spotty Wifi and on average more or less only being able to talk every week or 2 weeks depending on the month (It's definitely not easy getting to know someone at a distance without much communication) but through those times of communication we were able to Skype and got to know some pretty important things about each other. Then six months into my trip God told me to cut off all communication with Edwin and focus on Him because there were some things in Edwin that God needed to do a work in his life without me and some things in me that God needed to work on without Edwin in my life. He said that Edwin would be the one to initiate and I asked God how he would know when to and God said "He knows my voice. Trust me." So I told Edwin we weren't talking anymore without explanation...I really did leave him hanging with zero hope of anything in the future between us. It was a huge step of faith let me tell you. I actually wrote a blog about that if you'd like to read more about what God was teaching me in that time about letting go on my World Race blog called Everything's on the Altar Now.

In November 2014 (the 4th month of not talking with Edwin) I was in Guatemala and for my birthday Edwin sent me a gift with a letter and a video. I didn't take this as anything really because Colombians are really big at telling people Happy Birthday and making them feel special (I'm really bad at this in this culture...hopefully I haven't offended anyone...) So I didn't tell him thanks or anything.  Once I finished the World Race a week later after receiving the gifts I flew straight to Colombia visiting the foundation (where I work now) seeing if God wanted me there. (I hadn't told Edwin I was coming to Colombia because I didn't want him to know and I didn't want it to affect my decision about coming back.)  

While I was here that week God confirmed that this is where he wanted me whether Edwin would be in my life or not.  Feeling at peace about it I decided to go to church. Edwin and I saw each other for the first time in a year and the first time we had talked in 4 months! It was definitely a surreal moment.  After the service ended he saw me and came up and started talking to me.  We made small talk and just when I felt like "Okay all of this is over" I told him thanks for the gifts, letter, and video.  He said you're welcome and that he actually wasn't going to do it and didn't want to do it because it hurt him when I told him we were cutting off all communication but a few weeks before my birthday God started telling him to "búscala" meaning seek her out.  He was confused because I was the one that cut off the communication but he wanted to obey and so that was his way of seeking me out hence initiating the conversation.  Once he told me that my jaw dropped and a whole rush of "this isn't over" feeling came over me because what had happened was exactly what God said was going to happen! 

So after going back to the states for two months before returning to Colombia we talked about what God had done in both of our lives during that time of silence and again God did exactly what he was going to do and corrected us and taught us in the areas that needed to be corrected and taught/renewed.  God definitely did a work in both of us during that time of not talking. I came down in February and shortly after we felt that it was time to start officially dating with the intentions of marriage.

I said sí!!!

We had been dating each other for 6 months and through many ups and downs, challenges and joys, dates and surprises, trips to Santa Marta to meet his family, three races (a 5k, 10k, and half marathon) learning more and more about each other every day and how a relationship works with one another while seeking the Lord together. Six months and one day after we officially started dating, on
August 13th he asked me to marry him and I said yes! (actually I sí but he really did ask me in English!)

So, we've decided to get married in January! In October Edwin and I are going back to Nebraska for him to meet my family and see my culture and where I grew up hopefully helping him to understand me a little more.

We're both so excited for this next season of our life being able to work for God's Kingdom together as one glorying the Lord! 

So you might be thinking okay so I know you're a missionary but what about Edwin? What does he do? Good question!!

Edwin is on his last year of studying Mechanical Engineering. He plans on finishing next July/August. Also, Edwin too is a missionary! A few months ago he accepted a position with Vida Para Colombia (Life for Colombia) which is part of Campus Crusade in the states.  He has a huge heart for evangelizing on college campuses here in Bogotá and has been part of campus crusade ever since being in college and he has felt God has called him to help with the program for at least the next year.  Right now he is in the process of raising support himself which sounds crazy...both missionaries and getting married plus he's finishing school?! Yeah...at first I was kind of hesitant about him taking the position but God reminded me that I've been living on support for 3 years now and every year, month, and day God has provided.

We feel that it's time. God has given the green light and so we're just trusting Him. We started pre-marital counseling last night with an older intercultural couple (Colombian and Australian) from our church to help guide us and counsel us leading up to the wedding day. Right now the plan is to get married in January and I would keep working at ECA part-time and the foundation and then Edwin would finish school while being a leader of 4 campus crusade groups in 4 different colleges in Bogotá for the next year. (or at least until when he graduates) Even though we're both missionaries for different ministries we recognize that we are still working for the same Boss and the same Kingdom and are excited to encourage one another through it all.

We are so excited to see where God leads us as a married couple and how He will use us in working for His Kingdom. We're open to anywhere and both have the same desire to go wherever God calls us. Our aim is the glorify the Lord and be an example of Christ and the church.  

Please pray for:

• Preparation for Marriage 
• Preparation for the wedding (aaaah there's so much to do!!! That God's hand would just be at work all over the wedding prep and be a huge testimony for Him! We already have some sweet testimonies. God is SO good!) 
• For our week in the States in October. That it would be filled with fun and excitement as he meets my family and friends and also that we would be efficient with everything that needs to get done logistically...I need to get some papers from the government to bring back to Colombia in order to get married here) 
• For God to provide financially 
• For God to be GLORIFIED IN BOTH OUR LIVES INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A COUPLE!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support up to this point. They have been and are greatly appreciated!! 

A Dios sea toda la gloria! To God be all the glory! 

Summer Recap!

The 2015-2016 School year is off and running!!! This year I will be at El Camino Academy (ECA) Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and then up at the foundation FormaVida Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In this blog I want to review everything that went down this summer...starting with the last week of school last year in June. :-)


ECA Social Service Week 
June 1-3

ECA & World Race team at FormaVida!

The last week of every school year ECA each grade in middle / high school do service projects.  This year I worked with 9th grade who went up to the foundation I work at, FormaVida. It was SO cool seeing my "two world" come together.  They went to some local public schools and evangelized by teaching English classes and then also hung out with the kids up in the program, Oasis.  It's always rewarding seeing the high school kids take ownership of ministry and lead others.


World Race Team!
Month of June

The 2nd all Latin Route World Race team came through Colombia and where did one team end up?? At FormaVida of course!! I really wish I could've spent more team with this team because I GET them. I KNOW what they are living and how they are feeling.  I lived the exact same experience last year traveling from country to country and pouring into people and then getting up and leaving a part of our heart in that country.  It was SO refreshing being with a "world race family" even if I wasn't exactly on their team, once you're a world racer you understand world racers and are automatically apart of this "World Race Family" They were so encouraging to me and filled with love!! Shout out to team Echale Ganas!

Annapolis Area Christian School
June 13-20th

I had the privilege to help host a high school team from Annapolis, Maryland that put on a Vacation Bible School for ECA kids and kids of other Christian schools in Bogotá. The Principal, Bob McCollum, is the former Academic Director that was at ECA for 5 years and left 2 years ago (when I left...he was actually the one that I got an email from to consider working at ECA!! Also, his daughter was one of my former students!) Living in a different country surrounded by a completely different culture can be rough at times and it's ALWAYS nice to have a taste of America and work with a new group of Americans every now and then. I helped them with whatever they needed for the camp.  It was a jam packed week of VBS and Bogota sightseeing but it was AWESOME. They were a huge blessing to me seeing American high school kiddos very energetic and passionate about serving the Lord. They did an awesome job!

Santa Marta 
June 21-25

I had the opportunity to go to Santa Marta (a city on the coast where my fiancé, Edwin, is from...yeah that's right I'm engaged!! That just happened like a week ago so it's fresh. I'll write a whole new blog on that one soon...) It was awesome going to see where his family is from. He's Colombian and was born there but moved here to Bogotá when he was five years old.  Santa Marta, if I'm not mistaken, is the oldest city in Colombia...the first one founded...or something like that? I really should look that up before I publish this...I just looked it up and looks like it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia. :-) Here's a link to read more on Santa Marta it's from Wikipedia so take it for what it's world....Santa Marta, Colombia)

While we were there I was able to meet his family and see where he grew up and see his love that he has for the ocean. He told me some history of Santa Marta that really broke my heart.  I serious believe I felt God's heart that night as he was telling me all about the sexual corruption and immorality that is there. As he was telling me I couldn't help but literally weep for that place and those people.  When you think about it...pray for Santa Marta!!

Armenia - Coffee Country!
June 25-28

The foundation I work at is part of the Iglesia Alianza (Christian and Missionary Alliance Church).  Their national headquarters for Colombia is located in Armenia and have a conference center there.  I had the opportunity to a youth conference there and learn about leading youth groups (in Spanish).  I also was able to make it over to the Parque del Cafe (Coffee park) Which is an amusement park dedicated the coffee influence in that region. Also, Evan Craft was there!! (an american but is super popular in Latin America for his Spanish worship songs) 

Evan Craft

El Salvador!
July 4-14

While I was in El Salvador last October I made really good friends from the church we worked at there.  The leader/evangelist Javier invited me to go there for the first part of their Evangelistic Crusade and then finish up in Colombia (since I live here and they were coming here to continue the evangelism event). El Salvador was my favorite country out of my 11 countries I went to last year.  It was so cool seeing my friends again! Such a blessing. Every day we would go to different churches and then pray for people after the services. I learned a lot and was able to be able to spend time with my "El Salvadorian family."

Dios es Bueno Salvadorian fam/friends!

Half Marathon!! 
July 28

In the midst of one of my busiest summers I was able to squeeze in running the Bogotá half marathon! It wasn't my best time but I also didn't train as much as I would've liked to (due to all the hosting teams and traveling) but nonetheless it was an awesome way of just worshiping the Lord. I love running races. It's one of my favorite environments! To me it's a manifestation of the fact that when we are weak and tired his supernatural power gives us strength to keep moving forward and finish the race!

Edwin (right) and I after running the half marathon with our good friend Oscar
who game to cheer us on!

ECA Summer School!
July 29-August 5

Kids at Summer School

This year I was in charge of the summer school (putting on an English camp for ECA staff kids and other ECA students to start using their English and get back in the English habit since most have been only speaking Spanish all summer with their families) A missionary from Maryland (Katie) came down to help and she was a HUGE help! She's a science teacher at the school she works with. Also, a former ECA student, Dani, helped us.  Katie taught science, I gave the social studies lessons (teaching and doing activities about the countries I traveled to last year) and Dani did art! Our Devotion theme was Fruits of the Spirit and we went through those with the kids throughout the week.

Oh and a HUGE shout out to my very awesome friend and former roommate in Colombia three years ago, Megan Kingery! She came down to visit and was SUCH a help. She didn't have to hop in but she totally jumped in without second thought. Unfortunately I was sick for a couple days during the camp and had to stay home with a fever but she so willingly stepped in! I heard good reviews about the camp and that the kids had fun so to me that's all that matters!



New School Year!
Now the 2015-2016 school year has started! I'm teaching Creative Outreach for 7th and 8th grade and helping out with the social services again.  Also, I'm helping with pre-kinder PE, Kindergarten language centers, AND leading Mission Spot (1st-8th grade).  Mission spot is a 15 minute slot on Fridays where right now we are watching the visual Bible of the book of Acts which is really cool! It's word for word but acted out. :-) And then we talk about it. Last week we talked about  Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

and how in greek power=dynamin which is like the word dynamite and how the power we have through the Holy Spirit is so powerful like dynamite! Then, witness which is greek is martyrs aka dying for a cause - in this case Christ. So the thought is witnessing not just once in our life but daily until we die!

I'm so excited for this new school year. Thank you so much for your support and prayers!!