Year in review

As I sit here waiting for the Saturday night youth group to start in 30 minutes I am refelcting on the past year and the dramatic difference in the journey that I have taken over the year. I definately did not think in January of 2008 that I would be in Colombia in December of 2008. I started out the year as a first semester junior at Millersville University studying Spanish. I was enjoying most of my classes and was planning on studying in Argentina the following fall. However God decided to do something drastically different in my life about mid May when I heard about RAD and started thinking about it. Then the week before I submitted my application my church did a missions Sunday which focused on Colombia. So when I got the application submitted and found out I was accepted I began to make preparations to come here. The first step was spending 2 months in intense training in Chicago where I met the other Radders and began to live in a house with 6 girls and 2 guys. THe biggest thing that God was showing me through that time in Chicago was to trust him that everything will turn out fine. He taught me that it was ok to trust him even though answers might take time. He also reaffirmed that Nanen is the guy that he has for me and has brought us closer together through this time and closer to God. While here in Colombia God has been reaffirming things that he has confirmed in Chicago as well as answer a prayer about being spiritually challenged which I was not feeling like I was being challenged spiritually. He gave me a chance to work with the prision ministry that the church in La Mesa has. More details on that to follow...

"Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me"

Last Thursday was a day where it was raining hard here in La Mesa. I was planning to go to another town to go camping overnight with some people. We were supposed to meet at the church at 2:00 to leave. I arrived at the church early while some children from the church`s soup kitchen where still there. I realized that I had forgotten something so I found and umbrella and was about to head back home to retrieve it when a girl by the name of Daniela (from the soup kitchen) stopped me and asked me where I was going and when I told her she asked me to accompany her home. Thinking that her house was on my way home I said ok. Well as it turned out when we got to my house she told me that her house was farther down. It was still raining hard and she wanted me to go with her farther. I already knew I was late and I was more focused on being time consciencous that I did not really want to go with her. But the I remembered Jesus`s words that ``whatever you do for the least of these you do for me`` so I went with her. I finally got back to the church and hour late but the leaders of the group still had not arrived. They arrived shortly after I did. I had forgotten that Colombians are not nearly as time consciencous as Americans and 2:00 often means 2:30 or 3:00 so it all worked out

One thing that I have noticed among Colombians is hope. There is hope for a better tomorrow and hope for change. As the youth group expands so does the passion that is in the hearts of the youth to reach out to the community. We have had several events that have involved the whole community. One was a concert in another town called Analaima where youth from several churches as well as adults gathered in a public square for a Christian concert. This concert lasted until 11pm. Then last Saturday we had a worship event in the town theater in La Mesa and many people from the community came out. There was an altar call at the end of it and 3 people accepted Christ for the first time. One of those people was a police officer who looked to be in his 30´s. I found out later from my host dad that he was a commander in the police force in La Mesa. I was excited to see this because it showed God even reaches and softens the hearts of armed forces and government officials. I believe that this is one area that God wants to move in here. Only time will tell. As my host dad once told me little by little things are changing and change is pòssible.

Hello from Colombia

Well here I am in beautiful Colombia. I arrived here on Monday Oct 29 in the morning. After landing in Bogota airport we picked up our bags and went through customs without any problems. The we met Aaron Kauffman who is the missionary here with Mennonite Mission Network and we went home to rest. The next day and the week following we explored Bogota and learned about various things including culture, about the conflict, and what the Mennonite church is doing here. I got to know some people and really enjoyed talking to them. Then on Friday we made our way to La Mesa a town about 1-2 hours outside of Bogota. We arrived there in the late afternoon early evening and met our host families. I really enjoy the family I am living with. The dad is the pastor of the Mennonite Church here and the mother does alot of work in the church. I have 2 sisters and a brother. Our first week at school was crazy because it was a cultural week and there were no regular classes. Every did presentations of various sorts from academic to dances and songs. This upcoming week is the last week of classes till Janurary or February. I am not sure what my responsibilities will be after next week but we shall see. I really enjoyed the presentation that was put on by the 5th graders of the First Thanksgiving. The teacher is from the USA so she taught them about that story. Also last week we went to another town called Anapoima and it was really interesting to see the sharp contrast between the rich and the poor here. La Mesa is a middle class town and all of our host families are well to do money wise.

Hello from Miami

Well the Colombia team is finally in the final part of the journey. We are spending the weekend in Miami and it has been a blast! We went to the beach today. We went to an island called Key Biscayne and it is one of the islands that starts the Florida Keys. It was gorgous and here are some pictures. The first is of downtown Miami, the second is of a coconut in a palm tree and the third is Rachel holding a coconut

my host dad and brother

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save:

I who made the stars and night
I will make the darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

I the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain,
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away...

I will break their hearts of stone
Fill their hearts with love alone
I will speak my word to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save:

Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

last week in Chicago

I am currently in my last week here and it seems to be going slow. It has been a week out of our routine and I found I had a lot of down time. I seem to have slept in more since I am not waking up at 7 three mornings a week to go to the nursing home. We have been preparing to leave on our assignments but it will be nice to have 5 days of vacation at home to spend with friends and family and relaxing. I might take a trip to Washington DC or Baltimore one day. We shall see. It will also be nice to spend time with Nanen as well as church Sunday, tuesday and thursday. I am definately making it a goal to be at church at least 2 times this week. But definately Thursday as it will be my last time there until June. I am excited for Colombia and to see how God will work in me. I have learned this past year to expect the unexpected also a quote that Nanen keeps reminding me of is God calls things that aren't as if they are. So sometimes we are absolutely sure something is not going to happen but then it does. I am not thinking of any specific situation at the moment but I am sure there has been times in my life when that has been the case. I have really enjoyed living in the city these past months and it just confirmed my love for the city. I don't live in the nicest section (as I have said before the average annual income here is 15,000) but it is not the worst either and I have seen some drug trades but I never seen any violence in this part unlike some of the other parts of the city where violence is more prevalent. There are also sections of the city that are alot nicer and wealthier than where I live but all in all this my section is good. I enjoy it.

reflection

So I thought I would give an update of my last few days. I have been very busy. It started out with Nanen arriving after driving 11 hours in a car from Lancaster. He came out to see me and we had a blast. We went down by the lake, spent time with another couple that are good friends of ours (they live in Chicago), went to church, and just enjoyed the city and being together. This is also our last week at our service assignments. I have really enjoyed working at the nursing home and buffing floors but most of all enjoyed seeing the looks of happiness on the residents faces. I have been greatly challenged in many ways and most of my fears have been dealt with. I feel more confident and more prepared for this next stage in life. Well that is all I have for tonight.

host family info

I found out a little bit about my host family in Colombia. Here is the description of my family.
Pastor Jaime Guevara. He is married to Mitzie and they
have three children, Natalia (9), Isabela (7) and Samuel (2). They
are pastors of the La Mesa Mennonite Church. They live very close to
the school and church

I will write more later.

Yesterday at work I had an interesting conversation with one of the ladies that lives in the retirement home. Through conversations with her it became obvious that she is a very religious Catholic. She is constantly praying the rosary, and kept saying over and over that there are some priests in Wisconsin who are praying for her soul and will pray for her when she dies. She also said she does not want instant death because she wants time to ask for forgiveness. She is also very paranoid. So much so that when we moved her into another room so that we could strip and re wax her floor, there was an abstract painting in the room that this lady claims she saw a face of a women in it and that this women was evil. When we got done with her room and moved her back into it she was so happy because she said she would not have been able to sleep due to the women looking down at her. She also has accused others of taking money and precious jewelry among other things. I hope I am not like that when I am elderly. It is sad to see someone like that.

a hello from chicago

Well I have 20 minutes before our group gets together to watch the TV show House. I have only seen it once but it seems to be a show that many of my group mates enjoy so I have decided to see what all the hype is about and watch it with them. Today (as we do every Tuesday)we had a hospitality meal for lunch. The pastor (Megan Reamer) of the Chicago Community Mennonite Church and the pastor (Orlando Reddakopp) of the First Church of the Brethern came over for lunch. We have a very good relationship with Megan and Orlando due to the fact that their churches are right next door to our house. I find Megan very interesting for several reasons. One is that she is they only female Menonite pastor that I have seen who has her nose pierced! And secondly at age 32 she just recently became engaged but yet she doesn't wear an engagement ring. When asked about that her responses were 1.) It was either both her and her finance wear engagement rings or none of them do and 2.) Her and her finance decided they would take the money that they would invest in a ring and use it towards a digital camara to take pictures of special moments and memories and the idea of memories lasting forever. I thought that way of looking at it was interesting. Well this show is about to start so I will go now.

hmmmm

When I joined RAD I felt good about joining it because there was a certain sense of security about an issue that is extremely important to me. Recently however, that security has (through circumstances that are out of anyone's control) been compromised. (Yes I am still ok and loving chicago and the people that I am with and the program is wonderful.) However there are 2 ways of how I could answer this. Choice A would be letting down a whole bunch of people and choice B would be me doing something that would be letting myself down. One of the things I love about this program is that RAD allows us to explore issues like this.......anyway back to my real reason for this blog. Being an extrovert I sometimes find it easier to talk about things. Though I am not going to say what that issue was I will say that I am struggling with being ok with doing what I feel is best for me even if others don't understand my reasoning. Does this make any sense? Is it ok for me to want to do what is best for me even if others don't understand it? Life..........it's all about questions and answers.

time flies

Wow I can't believe that there is only 3 weeks left of my time in Chicago. This time has gone by really fast. The biggest thing I have learned during my time here is that it is ok to follow my heart even though people don't understand. I also am learning that I don't have to please everyone. I am learning to be comfortable making decisions based on what my heart feels and what makes me happy and not worry about what others might think. For me this is a huge step because I have always been concerned about what others thought and made my decisions based on others opinions and not necessarly where my heart really is. Well I have class now but I will write more tonight.

Interesting perspective

So tonight we had another speaker. She is the mother of one of the guys that is going to Ireland and she spoke on the conflict in Palestine and Isreal. She is an expert on this subject because she was born there and has lived there for 13 years and still has a lot of family there.. It was interesting to hear a Palestinian perspective on the conflict. Some of it I had heard before because I have Palestinian friends that I have heard their views on it. Now it would be interesting to hear an Isreali view. It is interesting how often times these things are more complicated then we can ever understand unless we are in these kind of situations. It is kinda like the Colombian war in that it is to complicated to really explain well. I am looking forward to hearing peoples views and stories when I get to Colombia.

here are some of the people

here are some people in my RAD group. The first is Melina and Rachel at a cafe on a Friday night, the next is me. Melina and Rachel are 2 of the girls who are going to Colombia with me. I will post more later

beauty in the city

I I just thought I would show some pictures of some of the scenery I see everyday. There is a picture of the lake as well as some beautiful sunsets and the statue known as the bean in Millenium Park

more of my personality traits

So we took the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Test and I discovered that I am in the middle of ESFP (Extroverted-Sensing-Feeling-Perceiving) and ENFP (Extroverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Perceiving) and so I decided to share with everyone the characteristics of these 2 types. I can definately see many of these characteristics (on both types) in myself.

ENFPs generally have the following traits:

Project-oriented
Bright and capable
Warmly, genuinely interested in people; great people skills
Extremely intuitive and perceptive about people
Able to relate to people on their own level
Service-oriented; likely to put the needs of others above their own
Future-oriented
Dislike performing routine tasks
Need approval and appreciation from others
Cooperative and friendly
Creative and energetic
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
Natural leaders, but do not like to control people
Resist being controlled by others
Can work logically and rationally - use their intuition to understand the goal and work backwards towards it
Usually able to grasp difficult concepts and theories
ENFPs are lucky in that they're good a quite a lot of different things. An ENFP can generally achieve a good degree of success at anything which has interested them. However, ENFPs get bored rather easily and are not naturally good at following things through to completion. Accordingly, they should avoid jobs which require performing a lot of detailed, routine-oriented tasks. They will do best in professions which allow them to creatively generate new ideas and deal closely with people. They will not be happy in positions which are confining and regimented.

The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would be especially suitable for an ENFP. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.

Possible Career Paths for the ENFP:

Consultant
Psychologist
Entrepreneur
Actor
Teacher
Counselor
Politician / Diplomat
Writer / Journalist
Television Reporter
Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or Computer Specialist
Scientist
Engineer

my personality

so since I found out that I am in the middle of ESFP and ENFP I decided to share the characteristics of both so here is the ESFP side of me

ESFPs generally have the following traits:

Live in the present moment
Are stimulated and excited by new experiences
Practical and realistic
Warmly interested in people
Know how to have a good time, and how to make things fun for others
Independent and resourceful
Spontaneous - seldom plan ahead
Hate structure and routine
Dislike theory and long written explanations
Feel special bond with children and animals
Strongly developed aesthetic appreciation for things
Great people skills
ESFPs are good at many things, but will not be happy unless they have a lot of contact with people, and a lot of new experiences. They should choose careers which provide them with the opportunity to use their great people skills and practical perspective, which will also provide them with enough new challenges that they will not become bored.

The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would be especially suitable for an ESFP. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.

Possible Career Paths for the ESFP:

Artists, Performers and Actors
Sales Representatives
Counselors / Social Work
Child Care
Fashion Designers
Interior Decorators
Consultants
Photographers

Another quick update

Well here I am after my Saturday morning cleaning has been done and I find myself with a little free time before lunch. I have really enjoyed Chicago and living in the city and working in the retirement home. Yesterday at work we had a birthday party (which they have every 3 months) and we also played bingo. Since I am the only other person (besides the housekeeping and kitchen staff) that speaks pretty fluent Spanish I get asked a lot to translate for the Spanish residents that speak little or no English. I have done every translating from convincing a resident to go down for a meal to translating during an activity. Yesterday I was helping one of the residents play bingo. She is from Mexico and she gave me a history lesson about Mexico and the Catholic church (I work for Catholic Charities) as well as some words of wisdom all completely in Spanish and I understood about 90 percent of it! I was quite pleased with myself and I know the retirement home is delighted to have us as they have expressed their appreciation in many ways including calling our director and telling her what an amazing job we are doing there. Then last night we met as a group at a coffee shop and the director bought us all supper. We sat and talked there for 2 hours! Then a group of us (including our director) decided we wanted to go swimming. So we drove to the beach (yes I did say the beach, with sand and everything) on the north side of the city and went swimming in Lake Michigan. This was 10pm! The water was cold and fairly shallow in the swimming part (although some parts of the lake can be close to a mile deep but that is way out in the middle) but there was also a warm breeze blowing so it felt alright.

We are also working on our visas for Colombia. Most of the paper work was done by Aaron and Laura Kauffman in Colombia and yesterday we recieved a packet of papers that they sent to us. Now we have to go to the Colombian consulate here in Chicago and submit our applications for the visas. Then we have to go back later for interviews. So keep praying that everything will go well and that we will get them.

My plan for today is to be a tourist for the day and visit Michigan Avenue which is a big shopping street in the financial district. I highly doubt I will buy anything but there is stores such as a 3 floor Gap, Macy's, and more so I will just have fun looking around in different stores. So that is my sfternoon, tonight I am not really sure what I will do.

cool witnessing opportunity

So I was at Millenium Park today and sittin along Lake Michigan trying to think of something to journal about and having trouble coming up with something to write when I noticed a person walking closer to me (they would go a couple feet, sit down then get up and walk closer. ) So as I was thinking about what to do if they started talking to me I felt God saying that it was ok to talk to them and so I finally talked to them and it turned out that I was able to use that conversation as a way to witness to them about God. As the conversation went on I learned a little more about this person's life and was able to present God in such a way that wasn't threatening but yet still gave them the idea of who God is. Anyway it was interesting how simple conversations can be turned into witnessing. Again I say...(and quoting Jaci Velasquez)



Ev'ry brief encounter that You send my way
Is a chance to show the love You gave me.
I see their troubled faces, a hunger deep inside
But I depend on You to touch their lives.
Light what burns within me, let Your truth shine through my life.

forced spirituality

So I went to the Church of God church today and had a rather interesting but kinda disturbing experience there. It started out good with the singing and then the spirit started to move. I feel like people got a little to carried away and actually tried to force people to be slain in the spirit. I believe that people can be genuinely slain in the spirit but I also believe it can be taken to the point where it is forced. Here is why I say that.... I was sitting in church letting the spirit wash over me when all of a sudden I felt a lady take my hand and drag me up front. This was disturbing because I did not feel like i was supposed to go up front for prayer at the time. Then to continue my story, I had my bible in my hand and this lady yanked it out of my hand and set it on the seat...then she proceeded to lift my hands up over my head and hold them there. I felt uneasy because I didn't feel like God wanted to speak to me in that particular way today. I just felt like it was forced.

thoughts

Well I just thought I would give an update before I start my usual Saturday cleaning routine. I just finished my first full week of volunteering in a retirement home in one of the northern neighborhoods. I have definately noticed a few things, such as it is very easy to tell what kind of neighborhood a person is in by the majority of the people that enter and leave the buses. For example my work place is in a Spanish neighborhood so when we get close to there I noticed that I hear a lot more Spanish spoken on the bus, however I live in a African American community and I can tell when we are close to home because my work partner and I are the only whites on the bus. People might think this would be awkward, however I have found that nobody really cares whether you are white or black or pink (haha) because everyone has their own agenda to worry about. Also a lot of schools here have uniforms even if they are public schools. I think school uniforms are a good idea because everyone looks the same and no one can judge a person based on their cloths because everyone is wearing the same clothing. I have also noticed that my hair and skin feel a lot more dry here then in Pennsylvania....maybe this is because I am up north more. At any rate I love Chicago. I think I am gonna spend the afternoon exploring the city since today is a free day and I am confidant enough with the transportation system to venture out on my own during the day. Maybe I will check out the locations of a few churches that I found online and make a decision about what church to go to tomorrow. There is also a Celtic festival going on that I might check out.......Well I have to go clean now.

song interpretation

So I mentioned on my last post that I would mention why that song speaks to me so much. This particular song is like a prayer for me. I am not sure why God has chosen me to do his work but I am willing to do it. Obviously God knows what he is doing. I can only trust that God will give me the right words to say when I need them. I have seen many opportunities to spread God's love (not just here in Chicago but in Lancaster as well) and I see people who so desperately need hope and peace that they can only find in God. My life is a reflection of who God is and his light can be shone through me. There are other songs by Jaci Velasquez that really speak to me. I will post them from time to time. Well I have a meeting so goodbye for now

song by Jaci Velasquez

here is a song that really speaks to me as do most of Jaci Velasquez's songs. I will share more about this later but for now just meditate on the words



What have I to offer to a world in need?
Yet, for some unknown reason, You have chosen me.
Lord, You've set my journey, You've prepared the way.
Still, I'm desp'rate for the words to say, and
'All I am is willing; all I have is in Your hands.'

Speak for me; this my plea.
Say the words I can't express.
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed.
Speak for me.

Ev'ry brief encounter that You send my way
Is a chance to show the love You gave me.
I see their troubled faces, a hunger deep inside
But I depend on You to touch their lives.
Light what burns within me, let Your truth shine through my life.

Speak for me; this my plea.
Say the words I can't express.
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed.
Speak for me.

Sing for me, set me free,
They will see Your holiness.
Speak for me.
'Cause Your love will lead them on to heaven's gate
Where they can look upon Your face.
Light what burns within me, let Your truth shine through my life.

(Speak for me; this my plea.
Say the words I can't express.)
Oh, this is my plea
(Sing for me) a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed.
Speak for me.

Sing for me, set me free,
And they will see Your holiness.
Speak for me, sing for me, speak for me.
You're all I have to offer to a world in need. Oh...

Isaiah 55 :6-13

Seek the Lord while he maybe found, call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him and to our God for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts declares the Lord, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. As the rain and snow came down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater so is the word that goes out of my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. YOU WILL GO OUT IN JOY AND BE LEAD FORTH IN PEACE AND THE MOUNTAINS AND THE HILLS WILL BUST INTO SONG BEFORE YOU AND ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS..Instead of thornbushes there will grow pine trees and instead of briers myrtle will grow. This will be the Lord's renown for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.............

As i think about what I want this time in Chicago to be for me I realize some of my goals for these next two months include learning to really see the heart of God and what his purpose is for me. Trusting that his ways are best and even though people (including my family) might not always understand (I might not always understand the why's of things)I still want to be able to follow my intuition and faith that what I feel is God's calling really is and that even though I don't always know everything I can be comfortable with that. One big example of living by faith is the team that was supposed to go to Sweden. They ended up not being able to go to Sweden due to visa issues so for a few days they were left in uncertainty about where they were going, however today they found out where they are going......

I continue to see God's beauty in Chicago. As we did our service projects today (we ripped up carpet and helped to fix up a priest's house as well as box 2,105 lbs of bread to be shipped out to local food pantries, salvation armies, schools, etc...) I saw the greatful smiles of the people we were helping and the thanks that we recieved in many forms ranging from a simple smile to the priest offering to buy us pizza for lunch. These are some examples of beauty that I find in the city. Another example of the beauty that I saw here would be on labor day in the evening when a group of us decided to go to Millenium Park (a park in downtown that is by lake michigan) to a free jazz concert for the jazz festival that they had last week. While listening to the jazz music I took notice of the patterns that were made on the chicago skyline (the patterns of the skyscrapers against the sky and the patterns that the lights made coming from the buildings) as well as the multitude of people that were of all ages, races and gender seated and listening to the music, the sound of the jazz band and at the end of the concert there was fireworks....Such beauty. Such a movement of God here.

conversation reflection

So I had a really important conversation with Nanen tonight that put us back on somewhat of the same page. I started out by apologizing for treating him like crap over the summer to which he responded with "don't worry". It was nice to be talking to him like we used to talk. I have always loved the fact that I have been able to open up to him about anything. Though his flexiblity drives me nuts sometimes I realize that that is one of the reasons I love him......Guys and relationships....so complicated........Nanen and I will always have a special connection to each other due to the amount and seriousness of some of the things we have been through....I love how he can always make me laugh and cheer me up even after a serious conversation or when I am upset about something all he has to do is look at me and I will start laughing and make a small comment and I will start laughing. Though he can be serious when he needs to be. I love his supportedness in me and my calling. Overall i am just very appreciative of him

thoughts from worship class

So I had my first class this weekend. The topic was worship and it is a subject i found really interesting. Here are s
some points that i found especially interesting.

---worship is a way to connect to God
---when we worship we worship for an audience of one
---sometimes when we worship our worship expectations are like our shopping expectations we want things that don't cost much, fit our needs, and are easily accessible
---God is looking for people who know that worship is about God
---when God is being worshipped and I refuse to worship because it is not "my thing" then my thing has just become my god.
---"It's all about you Jesus, all this is for you. It's not about me as if you should do things my way, you alone are God and I surrender."
--- Does God put desires in us based on what we are good at or did God make us good at something based on his plan for us?
--- As we get better at worship, worship almost always becomes a response to God

thoughts from Chicago

My first week in Chicago is almost finished! I am enjoying everything that I am learning about the city. Things such as how to use the public transportation system, increasing my map skills, meeting new personalities, and continuing living with roomates as well as overall city life. I am going to try to post on here once a week and this will be an excellent way to keep up on my life. So lately we have been exploring the city. Chicago is set up on a grid so knowing an address of a place is really helpful. The past couple days we have just been exploring different neighborhoods. We went to Greektown, Downtown, Little Italy, Devon Street (which is an Indian neighborhood), Andersonville (A swedish neighborhood), Pilson (where one of my directors lives) as well as Garfield Park where I am staying. One of the questions i have thought about is do I really want to say that I am a particular denomination or is it that important. Personally I am feeling like it really doesn't matter that much as long as I am Christian, however one person made the comment that (in her opinion) because I came from a Mennonite family (my extended family is mennonite but my parents and siblings do not go to a mennonite church) and I went to a Mennonite highschool and i am in RAD that that makes me pretty darn mennonite. However, it has been about 12-14 years or so since I have regularly attended a Mennonite Church and even though I did go to a mennonite highschool and college there were also muslims, hindus and atheists that went there (so would that make them mennonite because they went to a mennonite school? In my opinion no.), also i was baptized in an Episcopalian Church so I guess if I had to pick a denomination it would be Episcopalian. Hmmm....some other thoughts on that anyone?

Chicago- day 2

So this is my second day in Chicago and it has been packed with things to do and learning new people. I have really enjoyed meeting the group and hanging out with them. Most of our day today was spent making a group covenant as to how we want to spend our time here. We also have had many meetings and spent quite a bit of time exploring the city and using the public transportation. Today we went to Chinatown and had REAL chinese food and not the Chinese-American stuff that most Chinese restaurants serve. We had a lesson on map reading, safety and learning about each other. Everyone is commited to the group and I am excited to see how things will develop. I must admit Chicago is absolutely gorgous though the neighborhood I live in is different in the day then in the night but as long as I use common sense and remember a few safety rules I should be fine. I have enjoyed these times with the group and look forward to more. I think the challenge will be good and it will show me whether my calling is really missions or not. I am ready for the year though I don't know what it will hold for me. We also have some free time to do what we want in the evenings. I gotta say lots of laughter takes place though.

new adventure

Well in 6 hours I will be leaving for Harrisburg airport to begin the first part of my new adventure and new stage in life. This is the training ground for the mission field come November. I feel excited and nervous as for once in my life i am letting God direct my every move. I have very little idea as to what this next year holds for me and even less of an idea of what my life will consist of after I return in June. Some things to pray about are: Unity among the group, safe and smooth preparations, open hearts to God, and that God will show me what he wants me to do when I return.....well I really need some sleep.......so good night all

the joy of family

Last night mom invited a few family members plus a lady from my church who has been my prayer partner for the last several months to our house for a meal and time of fellowship before I leave on Saturday (or Sunday). It was great to feel the support from all my family. I made empanadas, rice with veggies, fresh salsa, cucumber salad, plantains and a tropical fruit salad that had papaya, mango, pineapple, bananas and peaches in it. Then they prayed for me and we watched a movie about what I will be doing in Colombia. I am so excited as I feel God will so some powerful things.

support

I just wanted to thank my church for all the support they have given me. There is a lady in my church that I meet to pray with every Sunday and yesterday we met and made 90 empanadas. For those of you who do not know what empanadas are they are a typical Spanish food that is stuff with meat and fried. They are very good. So we sold $105.50 worth of them after church today. Thank you Jesus for everything. Well as the countdown begins, I leave for Chicago on Saturday to start my training for Colombia. Right now it feels like I am just leaving for college. I think it will hit me more when I am actually in Colombia, though I am very excited as I feel God will do something incredible this year. Keep me in prayers

weekend reflection

What a wonderful weekend spent with family and friends! I can't remember the last time I was in upstate New York. My weekend started out by accompanying my aunt to JFK airport in NYC to pick up my cousin who was arriving from having spent the summer as an exchange student in Spain. Then I continued with her to upstate New York (about 2 hours from the Canadian border) to visit family that live there. My mom has 2 brothers that farm up there. So I spent time hiking in the Adorandack Mountains, talking with cousins and cousin-in-laws, playing with my cousin's children and chit chatting with my aunts. I have come to realize (though I know there are ppl who would strongly disagree with me) that New york has 2 kinds of beauty. It has the beautiful mountains and lakes and huge farms but also the city. By the beauty in the city I am talking about the beautiful skyline the buildings make, the unique pattern of the outline of the buildings, the mix of culture, places like Times Square, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty, etc... Yeah Yeah I recognize the ugliness of the trash and crime as well but well there is crime everywhere and if we only focus on the crime in an area we miss the joy of it. Well I am tired so I will write more later.

thoughts

So God knows that it is a desire of mine to get married and have a family someday. I however, want to get married to the right guy. The guy that God has prepared for me. A guy that serves and loves God with all his heart, comes from a good family that desires God, will love me as Christ loves the church, is mission minded like I am and will treat me the way I desire to be treated. In the past I have rushed into relationships that have been less than perfect and less then what God desires for me and I have rushed into these relationships simply to fill a desire of having a companion. Really what I should have done is let God be my companion and fall in love with Him. It seems as though the right guy is a rare find and most of what is out there is less than desirable (like the two guys at church who I KNOW are much less then desirable and they are quite annoying). It is hard to wait and be patient when I see many of my friends and family already married or getting married. I felt like the Lord was once again reassuring me tonight that he has someone for me but I need to be patient and trust him. I needed to trust that when the time is right he will be revealed to me and I need to trust that God is working in his life to prepare him for me. Keep praying for this

thanksgiving

So the countdown to my training has begun. I only have 17 days before I will be in Chicago! The most i can say right now i thank you God for this opportunity to serve you in Colombia. Thank you for a family that supports my desire to serve in this way. Thank you that you have led me to a wonderful church that desires to do your will and see your will be done in the world. Thank you for giving me the ability to learn another language and the desire to do so. Thank you that you paid the price for us on the cross. You have taken me in your arms, you have given me salvation and all I can say is thank you, thank you dear lord thank you my Lord Jesus. You did not have to suffer for me, you did not have to do it but you did it out of love. thank you

thoughts

While I was praying tonight with a lady from church, God just kept bringing to my mind the city of Lancaster, Pa. It seems as though there is a lot of things going on that God desires to break and he desires to pour out his spirit and revive Lancaster City again but the people have to want it and permit God to work in Lancaster. Pray for the pastors and churches in Lancaster, pray fro the christians who minister there, pray that they will have the strength to stand firm in their beliefs, pray for a revival in Lancaster.....

O my strength I will sing to you
Because you Oh God are my refugee
God of mercy
I will sing of your power
I will praise you in the morning
Because you have been my refugee in my day of anguish
I will sing oh Lord of your power

Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Myers

So I started reading a book that one of my roomates recommended to me years ago but I never got around to reading it until now. It is called "Battlefield of the mind" by Joyce Myers. The first few pages talked about how it is important to control what we think because what we think affects our actions. It talks about how it is impossible to have a positive life and a negative thought pattern. So many problems in today's world are a result of the lies that we have allowed ourselves to believe. Lies such as "I am to fat, klutzy, lazy etc....to amount to anything" or "Nobody cares about my opinion so why bother saying it" and more. Kind of puts a new spin on the saying "I think therefore I am"

training in chicago

I thought I would post what we will be doing in training in Chicago so that you will all know how to pray for me during those 2 months. .This is part of an email I recieved from my director

I also wanted to give you a little bit more on your time in Chicago. This is a time where we try and prepare you at least a little to enter a cross cultural experience and begin the process of faith transformation that we hope you experience. The schedule is tentatively as follows.
Sunday you will visit a different church each time so that you get to experience a variety of communities of faith. People are at different places on their faith journey and build communities around a variety of expressions of that faith. We do not want you to merely take on someone else’s expression faith as your own but we do want the variety of exposures to effect you. Sunday evening will be the time usually that the resource person will come in for that week. We expect that you will practice the art of hospitality and utilize your time with these people to explore different topics of faith formation, personal development and cross cultural learning.
Monday will be a full day with these resource individuals with a mix of input and conversation. Tuesday morning will be the same. Tuesday lunch we again would like to see you all practice hospitality by opening up your meal together for others to join. We will talk about this more later.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday will be service days. In the late afternoons or evenings of each of these days you will have other activities as well. Wednesday you will also have group spiritual direction. Thursday you will have a conversation with Krista around spiritual disciplines where you will reflect on the discipline you practiced the week before and be introduced to the next weeks discipline. Friday will also be a time for group conversation in an open forum around topics or reflecting on how the group covenant is going. Saturday will be a time to explore the city, which we have a list of expectations for you. In your spare time you will need to cook meals, shop for groceries, clean, do laundry, read, journal, do language study and sleep.
This will be a full time for you and we will expect you to be emotionally, physically and mentally present. It will also be possibly the most amazing time of your year. We are thankful that you have committed yourself to this next years journey and we hope and pray that you will give it serious commitment and effort.

praise

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the LORD. ^[a]
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

² Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,

⁴ praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

i certainly have a praise tonight as i just found out today that i have 1/2 of what i need for my missions trip. after only a month of fundraising.

more thoughts

"An intercessor is a man, women, girl or boy that fights for others. Intercession is also the activity that we most identify with Christ. To be an intercessor is to be like Jesus because that is Jesus. He lives always to intercede." I am still reading the book " Conquering the gates of the enemy" that was recommended to me. This book is very powerful and has gotten me thinking alot about prayer and what is prayer. Jesus prayed many many times during his life. He even gives us an example in Matthew which is "Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, do not lead us in temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom the power and glory forever. Amen" Jesus also prayed many other times as communication with his father in heaven. prayer is us talking with our father. Prayer is one of our most powerful weapon against the enemy and i think that (myself included) many Christians are guilty of not doing enough of it

So tonight after church I felt an attack of Satan on the youth group. We were standing outside talking when two of the youth started fighting. I know it was not my fault but Satan still tries to tell me I am not a worthy teacher but I know that this is my calling to work with kids and youth and that I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THE YOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God I ask that you give me the strength to work with the youth, I ask for wisdom to best handle any situation that may arise. In your name Amen. Please continue to keep me in prayer. The youth are our future and i know that they are often the ones that Satan preys on the most because they are the ones that can make a difference in the world. But if we can get them to follow God when they are young the world can and will change. Satan knows this and is trying to prevent it. But with God we can make a difference.

family

As I am enjoying the time that I am spending with my family this week I realize the importance of coming from a good family background and the role that it has played in my life and allowing me the support to find who I am in Christ and my role in life. I really have enjoyed the time I have been spending with family that are coming from Ohio and Colorado as well as those in PA. I know that I have been truly blessed with a wonderful family who will support me. I am also thankful for my wonderful friends that have been placed in my life as well as my wonderful boyfriend. Thank you God

So I am reading a book at the advice of one of the ladies at my church about intercession and prayer. I am really enjoying it as God is showing me alot about this subject. some of the things that have stuck out from the first chapter or so is : A.) The gates of hell can not take root in a church that prays B:) It requires courage and perseverance in intersession to be able to produce change. I found myself awoken last night several times throughout the night with prayer. At one point I awoke praying for Lancaster City, another time for my family and finally for a friend of mine that I still keep in contact but have not seen for awhile. Hmmm as a guy friend of mine once told me prayer is very powerful and it is important to constantly pray. On the subject of prayer, a personal prayer request is that people respond to my support letters. I have sent out a bunch already and hope to get more out. It will be exciting to see what God has in store for me this year and 2008!

more on my preparation journey

So one thing that God is helping me through is asking people outside my immediate family for money. It took some time to feel comfortable writing my support letters but I know that it is a vital part of missions work. I think leadership skills are definately going to be built as I found out that at least 4 people on my team are recent highschool graduates and by recent I mean Class of 2006 and class of 2007. Oh dear but hey we shall see and it will be an awesome experience for me. On another note my cousin is getting married this Saturday (7/7/07). Congradulations Karla Esh (soon to be Karla Weaver) and Jaime Weaver. Someday I hope God brings an man into my life as my husband. I am really picky about who I date as the next person I date I want to do it courtship style. I am tired of long dating relationships that end up in nothing. I am tired of guys trying to pressure me into having sex before marriage. Some times this purity lifestyle can be very difficult but I know it will be worth it. To be able to give my husband the gift of my body to enjoy and know that he has done the same for me is something I look forward too. Ahhh someday that will happen but for now it is learning to let God be my husband. And falling 100 percent in love with him

I just received two DVDs in the mail that were sent to Mennonite Mission Network from the missionaries in La Mesa. Wow, after I watched them I was amazed at the beauty I saw there. The clear waters of the Caribbean to the tall peaks of the Andes Mountains. I was amazed at how green everything is. It is quite a different view of Colombia then what the news stations report. It is sad how the news chooses to only report the negative and not the positive. God has strengthened my love and passion for South America. As much as I love my homeland (USA), God is continuing to give me a growing love for Latin America and Spanish culture. All I can say is Que hermoso lo que Dios esta haciendo (How beautiful is what God is doing in Colombia). A country that is in need of spiritual tranfcormation being tranformed one person at a time

So it hit me last night as I was working on a support list in preparation to send out support letters (by the way prayer support is ALWAYS welcomed) that I am actually fulfilling this call that I have had for awhile. It is nice to see my parents supporting me in service. I was thinking about some of the possible challenges I will be facing and I thought of some such as washing my clothes by hand (due to lack of modern washing machines), overcoming a strong dislike for insects and some others that I am sure will come up. I was also thinking of my strengths for this trip. These include my fluency in the Spanish language, what I already know of Latin American culture and my flexibility. It will be interesting to see how one South American country compares to another (Colombia in comparison to Argentina). I am feeling a mix of emotions of anticipation, excitment, nervous and joy.

So lately things have been happening that have been reaffirming my call to missions. To see the looks on peoples faces and hear the joy in their reactions as I tell them that I have been accepted in missions. The reaction that broke out at my church tonight as I told people that I am going to South America. To hear people praying in Spanish for me. The feeling of joy that I felt when I taught youth group tonight and I came home feeling refreshed and energized as well as getting some insight for my self. Interesting how the Sunday before I decided to apply for RAD we had a missions emphasis and the focus was Colombia. Hmmmmmm...............God has really given me such a love for Spanish and Hispanic culture...Again my prayer OPEN THE HEAVENS OVER US LET IT RAIN

more peace

I decided to go to church with my mom today instead of my usual church because I had heard that there were gonna be some Colombian women visiting and I wanted to meet them. I got to talking to them and found out a little bit more about where I will be. They told me that the town I am gonna be in is a safe town, in a valley surround by the Andean mountains with temperatures in the upper 70's-lower 80's year round. Here is some information about the Andes mountain range I will be living in. Kinda makes the Rockies look like hills

Andes Mountains

The Andes Mountains (an deez) are the longest chain of mountains stretching along the entire west coast of South America from Cape Horn to Panama and Venezuela for a distance of 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers). This second highest Mountain Range (Only the Himalaya of northern India and Tibet are higher ) have many peaks rise over 20,000 feet. The chain is about 400 miles (645 kilometers) wide across its widest part.

Faith

Lately I have been doing alot of reading and thinking about faith. God has brought Hebrews 11 to my mind over and over again. this is what i believe to be the true definition of faith. To have faith is to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11 is full of people in the bible who acted out of faith and we truly blessed for it. Abraham became a father in his old age, Moses lead the Israelites out of captivity, Ruth left her homeland and everything she knew to go live with her mother-in-law in a strange land, Noah and his family were saved because he built an ark and many more.............God has given me a heart for Latin America, for South America for that matter. Despite all the political upheaval that is taking place in Colombia at this time I feel at peace about the possibility of going there. My question has changed from "Why Colombia?" to "Why not Colombia?" Two songs keep coming to my mind
With my God I will jump the walls
with my God I will knock down armies
He trains my hands for battle
With my hands I can take the bronze arc
He is my shield, my rock
He is the strength of my salvation
My high refugee, my fortress
He is my LIBERATOR!

hmmmm makes me realize I can do anything with him on my side. The other song is more of a prayer.

Open the heavens over us
Open the heavens let it rain
we are your people, we are your vineyard
open the heavens let it rain

The trees of the field have dried up
The wine and the oil has finished
Your vineyard is deserted and without value
In our solitude there is a cry

Open the heavens over us
open the heavens let it rain
we are your people, we are your vineyard
open the heavens let it rain

Return us to you we will return
Come and give us life once again
Return us from our captivity
Return your remnant

Open the heavens over us
open the heavens Lord let it rain
we are your people, we are your vineyard
open the heavens let it rain.

This is more talking about the spiritual rain that God pours over us, dry and used up as we may be God sends his rain to restore us again. Sorry if the words don't flow well as these songs are translations. So these songs have been playing over and over again in my mind lately..... hmmmm I have yet to find out why.

What happens when we obey God

So yesterday at church there was a guy who many people in the church had been praying for and he came to my church and gave his life back to Christ. When he came in I could smell the smell of beer and cigarrettes on him when he sat right behind me. I then felt God saying to me to talk to him after church. I was wondering what God wanted me to say but he told me not to worry and he would provide words to say. So as I was talking with him I found out that he had grown up in the church and then walked away from God for awhile. As we got to talking God was having me share my story with him. He mentioned that he was terrified of girls (as well as many other things that we talked about) but to make a long story short he felt calm after I talked with him. He said he felt peace when I talked with him. This is a guy in his early 30's. Thanks God for giving me this opportunity to share you with someone else.

So I opened this so that people will have a place to read my missions updates. I have had a desire for missions since I was little and a calling for it. I just had an interview with RAD (Reaching and Discipling) missions organization. They work with Mennonite Mission Network and are sending a team to Colombia this year. I admit I was a little upset when Argentina did not work out but I know God's plans are perfect and although I wonder why Colombia, I know that God will have something in store for me there. We shall see what will happen. I am learning to let God's plans work and follow what he says.