A little Honduran Story

Once upon a time, four years ago, a group of students embarked on a journey to the unknowns of Honduras. For the local people they had never seen a group of “gringos” stop in their village before, so when these students arrived many just stared at them from a distance, skeptical of the motivations of these young travelers. So the students began to play with kids, offer medical supplies to the hurting, and build homes to provide better circumstances for families. These things however were not the purpose of their travels. No their purpose was something infinitely more. To glorify the name of God. As they flew home, they couldn’t help but wonder if a difference was even made. If there was any purpose really to what they did. There was one girl from the team, who had the honor to go back year after year. As time passed, children were more friendly, people less skeptical, more open to the truth that was shared. And after four years of wondering, this girl saw what many people never get to see...the fruit.

Even as I write this, tears are welling in my eyes because of what is taking place in Honduras. In the village of San Pedrito, the name of Christ is flourishing. They now have a full time pastor living in town, and in a nearby village where there is no pastor, men are being sent as missionaries from San Pedrito. This year, as we pounded the final nail into the roof of a freshly built church, we opened the doors to a medical clinic to meet the physical needs in the very place spiritual needs will be met in the future. I love what God is doing, and I feel honored to be a part of what is happening.

In Motion

We are in motion. We have, once again, begun this crazy thing called Kairos. Three days ago 15 fresh faces gazed awkwardly around the circle as many students met for the first time. We took them all to a retreat center where they did team building activities, learned some of the Kairos guidelines, and personally challenged themselves on a high ropes course. (I was a bit challenged on that one too). It is amazing how fast they are bonding. Friendships are already being formed, and God is already moving-- I love it. I also have a small group of 5 girls who I will be personally encouraging and discipling. Of course I try to encourage everyone, but these are going to be my girls. Each year God has taught me something through having a small group. This year the thing I am praying for and focusing on, is boldness to speak truth into them, and water the seeds of destiny in their lives. I usually can see where there is so much potential, but when it comes time to confront or speak truth, I shrink back. I want to be more bold. Anyway, all that to say, the year is in motion already. I am excited to see the way that God is going to work in the students this year. I am also excited about what He is going to teach me and do through me. So keep up the prayers....they're working, God's hand is moving. I wish you were here to see it firsthand, this is an incredible ministry. I love my job! Thanks guys.

Changes

I am embarking on a season of change. In the last few weeks my life has undergone a major transformation.
First of all I moved and I am now living in an apartment for the first time ever. It has been a lot of fun decorating and organizing my space, and grocery shopping for the first time. It is an exciting and terrifying step into adulthood.

Along with moving I have recently begun the process to officially join Reign Ministries full-time staff. Up until now I have remained an intern with Reign, but I have decided to commit to this ministry until God tells me otherwise. As far as Kairos goes, my job description pretty much stays the same. Under the umbrella of Reign Ministries however, I will be receiving more accountability as far as budget and support go and I will be given more freedom and authority to operate in. It’s all very exciting, and as you can guess very nerve-racking as well.

My desk in my new apartment!

The Power of Prayer

We recently returned from our speaking blitz, where we traveled to N & S Carolina as well as Tennessee challenging teens to step out of their comfort zones and get involved in missions. And let me tell you, it was an incredible experience. The first night we had 2 performances at a youth group and it was awesome, we had kids really interested in getting out there. That's when the phone calls came. We got phone call after phone call of churches cancelling on us for various reasons. What had been planned as a very full week, just became empty and we had 18 people to keep occupied. So we started praying.We made a few phone calls and it turned out that others had been praying too...for help. And guess what, we were as much an answer to their prayers as they were to ours. We cleaned out a coffee shop/ music venue, that was in need of some serious cleaning. We partnered with a church in their local ministry. We found out a woman's ceiling collaped and there had been an old chimney that she knew nothing about. So we spent the day cleaning soot from her house and doing load after load of laundry. And we did all this with prayer as our theme. It was incredible. One day, what started out as a little prayer walk turned into three and a half hours of intercession for their city. When a student was hurting or upset about something other students would come alongside and pray for them. Everytime we had prayer time every single person would pray out. It was amazing to me. I am on staff, I am supposed to be reminding them about prayer. But they reminded me. They taught me the power that God gives us with prayer.

Kicking Off

Last Sunday I was running around making sure that the tables were set, that handouts were printed, and that I had run over the names of our new students one more time, as we prepared to welcome the Kairos class of 2009. 14 brand new faces stood in an awkward huddle, feeling both anticipation and nervousness, as they all met for the first time. We left for our Orientation Monday morning and after a series of; group games, worship, high ropes, and a zip line,we returned with no trace of awkwardness. This is gonna be a good year!

In this class we have 6 girls, 7 guys, and 1 brand new intern. I am leading a small group this year, and I have 3 of the sweetest girls you will ever meet. I am excited to see how God is gonna work!

Ways to Pray:

*That God will give me the wisdom I need in my small group times.

*Teachable hearts- for me, the staff, and the students

*Finances

*Thanking God for what He has already done, and is planning to do!

God is at work in Honduras

God is doing incredible things in the country of Honduras! This is my second year going back to this beautiful place, and it is very exciting to be able to see the way that God has worked over the past year. We partnered up with a ministry called Mercy International, who have a passion for the Linka Indians in the Opalaca Mountain range. In order to reach the Linkas we first had to drive 4 hours up the mountains on very bad roads, then hike the rest of the way into the villages. The first village we went to was San Padrito, which is actually one of the villages we visited last year. It was amazing to see the difference in the people after only a year. Last year they stood on the outskirts and watched us. This year they interacted with us. The children would come right up and sit on our laps, and the leaders of the village played soccer or “fúbol” with us On the first day in that village we did a construction project and the owners of the house came to us and asked if we would pray with them. We lead their whole family to Christ that afternoon, it was incredible. While we were there we also held a VBS for the children and provided for their medical needs. I loved showing God’s love to them in practical ways. We then hiked for 4 hours to get to the second village of Agua Caliente. On the last night we held a church service inside one of the homes of a young Christian couple from the village. There were so many people there that it was standing room only, and there were people who had there heads in the windows and who were listening through the doors. The Mercy International staff remarked that it was very rare to see the number of men who were there. It was typically the women and the children who came to the services. We are praying that God is at work with the men in those villages, that they would come to see what it means to be a man of God. Changes are happening in Honduras. God is moving and working among the people and it has been incredible to be part of it.

Finished with Blitz...and Heading to Honduras!

We just finished our two and a half week speaking "blitz" around the midwest. We traveled to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois going to different youth groups, schools, and churches encouraging youth to get out of their comfort zones and get involved in missions. We also did different work projects to help out with practical needs. Our students painted houses, hung ceilings, and served at a local homeless shelter. One of my favorite work projects was hanging ceilings. This lady named Minnie had a leak in her roof for years, and did not have the finances to fix it. Someone heard about her situation and fixed her roof, and then we got the chance to fix her ceiling. She has been a light in her community for years, and gives of herself constantly. It was amazing to be able to give back to her for a change.
We had incredible things happen over the last two weeks. On the first day we did our performance for a Church, and at the end one person actually gave their heart to Christ. It was incredible!
Overall it was a very exciting experience.

In four days our group will be heading to Honduras to share Christ with the people there. We will be meeting practical needs through medical clinics, and construction projects. We will also have a VBS for the kids. I am very excited because this will be the first time I will be going back to the same country. I am looking forward to seeing some of the people that I got to know last year. I will also have the opportunity to see the changes that have happened since last year. I look forward to seeing the family living in the mud hut we helped build, and living on the cement floors we laid. I know that God is going to do big things there this year, and I am looking forward to being part of it.