Jungle Tales

WE ARE OUT OF THE JUNGLE ONLY TO GO BACK IN FOR TWO MORE MONTHS. THINGS HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY AROUND HERE SO I HAVE NOT HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO BLOG. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO HEAR STORIES ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITES BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS ONLY ENOUGH TIME TO GIVE A QUICK SUMMARY. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY AND SHORT SUMMARY.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE POWER OF PRAYER SO AT WORK IN MY LIFE. THERE HAVE BEEEN MANY SITUATIONS THAT MY PARTNER AND TEAM HAVE FACED AND NEEDED GUIDANCE, WISDOM, OR STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH THE SITUATION AND EACH TIME GOD ANSWERED YOUR PRAYERS.

WELL I WILL JUST START WHERE I LEFT OFF. WHEN WE LEFT GUATEMALA FOR THE JUNGLE I WAS SO EXCITED AND A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT ENTERING TRAINING AND FACING THE HORRIBLE THINGS I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE JUNGLE. WHEN WE FIRST LANDED IN PUERTO MALDONADO THE AIRPORT WAS SO SMALL AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE. WE GOT OFF AND DECIDED TO WALK TO ANOTHER MISSSONARY´S HOUSE TO MEET THE REST OF OUR TEAM. AS WE WERE WALKING WITH OUR LARGE PACKS IN THE RAIN AND STRUGGING TO BREATHE THROUGH THE THICK HUMIDITY, WE RAN INTO AMANDA, OUR LEADER, AND THE OTHER GIRLS. THEY WERE HUDDLED AROUND, AND WE DIDN´T KNOW WHY UNTIL WE GOT CLOSE AND SAW MAMA LEE, ONE OF OUR MISSIONARIES, PLAYING WITH A HUGE TARANTULA. I COULDN´T BELIEVE IT. I THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE A PET OF HERS, BUT SHE SAID SHE HAD FOUND IT ON A POST AND JUST PICKED IT UP. THIS WAS THE START OF MY NEW LIFE IN THE JUNGLE.

WE HAD TWO WEEKS OF TRAINING IN THE JUNGLE. THIS CONSISTED OF CHOPPING FIREWOOD, GETTING AND PURIFYING WATER, COOKING IN SHIFTS FOR THE TEAM, PHYSICAL TRAINING, CLEANING WOUNDS, MEMORIZING BIBLE STORIES IN SPANISH, MEDICAL TRAINING, AND FIGHTING FOR SANITY WHILE TRYING TO SCRATCH BITES AND GET SOME DECENT SLEEP. OVERALL IT WAS SUCH A GROWING EXPERIENCE, AND THE LORD TAUGHT ME AN AMAZING AMOUNT.

AFTER TRAINING, WE ENTERED THE COMMUNITIES ON OUR OWN WITH A PARTNER. MY FIRST COMMUNITY WAS SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE. WE MET AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THREE WOMEN AND WERE ABLE TO SHARE OUR TESTIMONIES AND MANY BIBLE STORIES. AT FIRST IT WAS VERY HARD TO GET USED TO SHARING STORIES AND MEETING FOR HOUSE CHURCH BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SITTING AND QUIETLY LISTENING WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING. THE LIST COULD GO ON OF THINGS YOU CAN DO DURING CHURCH THAT WOULD NEVER BE SEEN OR DONE IN A CHURCH IN THE STATES. IT WAS QUITE COMICAL.

AFTER STAYING IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR 10 DAYS, WE SWITCHED PARTNERS AND ENTERED A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY. THIS NEXT COMMUNITY FOR ME WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE. WE WERE NOT RECEIVED LIKE WE WERE IN THE FIRST COMMUNITY. IT WAS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO GET PEOPLE TO MEET AND LISTEN TO OUR STORIES. THIS WAS A COMMUNITY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY STRONG SPIRITUALLY. WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN WE GOT THERE AND SAW THAT NO ONE MET OR CARED TO MEET. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF STRONG BELIEVERS LEFT FROM THE CHURCH WHO EQUALLY WANTED TO MEET AND GROW CLOSER TO GOD. THEY WERE SO ENCOURAGING AND WE LOVED SPENDING TIME TALKING WITH THEM EACH DAY.

A BRIEF SUMARY OF WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKED LIKE IN THE COMMUNITIES: WAKING UP AT 5, SPENDING 3-4 HOURS CUTTING GRASS IN THE FIELDS WITH MACHETES TO CREATE WALKING PATHS, COOKING WITH THE WOMEN FOR THE COMMUNITY, WASHING CLOTHES, HELPING WHEREVER NEEDED, AND HAVING PLENTY OF FREE TIME IN WHICH WE READ AND PRAYED. THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WE WOULD STAY IN PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNTIES, OUR FAMILES AND FRIENDS. IT WAS SO AWESOME TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY AND GROWTH OF BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I CHERISHED THOSE TIMES IN THE JUNGLE AND CAME TO THE REALIZATION OF THE EMPTINESS OF THE THINGS THAT I ONCE TREASURED AT HOME. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE FULFILLMENT OF BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AT ALL TIMES.

6 Weeks In A Nutshell

I wanted to do another blog summing up the past month and a half that I have been here in Guatemala. I am so grateful for my team here and I am very sad to be leaving. I am just so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with unity and a strong love for one another. This was one of my greatest concerns, and still is for the future. Our enemy works so heavily against the mighty work of God not only through the evil temptations and distractions of this world but with in the body itself. The church, the family of God, is the target of his aim and the one way he destroys what God is doing all over the world it is to create dissention among the believers.

I was asking some of my missionary friends what is the biggest threat to the spreading of the gospel, and the response I got astounded me. It is dissention among the missionaries or different teams that come. That is so sad! The Lord is moving among the hearts of people all over the world but it’s when we get there, the supposed good Christians or missionaries that they began to second guess when they can’t see the difference between our lives and theirs. If we can’t even love one another and get along, how is the world going to see a difference and want what we have.

I have never experienced such strong accountability before, which is so refreshing. This just reminds me of what the church should look like. Believe it or not we are supposed to be different and look different but so often it is the “church goers” who are known to be so judgmental or hateful toward others, or who restaurants dread the most on Sunday. Let’s not forget the greatest command is LOVE. What has happened to us? This is how the enemy is working the strongest against the move of God. It’s through us. Don’t be fooled believers he is just as much in a bar as he is the church.

I don’t know why the Lord laid it on my heart to write this blog but while I have been here, it has been made evident how believers are supposed to look and treat one another; unconditional love, continuing to forgive as God has forgiven you, continually lifting one another up in prayer and encouragement, holding one another accountable in love, and striving to protect the unity of the body.

Please also remember to lift up you pastor and men in leadership in prayer. They are the targets of a lot of the attacks because they lead the flock. Being the daughter of a pastor I know all to well the incredible attacks from the enemy against anyone who has surrendered their life to ministry. You will never know what these men of God face. It reminds me of a battle scene in Lord of the Rings. Our pastors are fighting in the front lines leading us against the enemy, taking on the bunt of the blow as we all fight for our King Jesus and the freedom of so many from the chains of bondage. That might sound cheesy but it is true.
I say all this to say God has been so good in keeping our team unified. I feel I am leaving family and my heart is broken yet my heart breaks even more for the blind people in the jungles. It is very bitter sweet. Please continue to lift up my team as well as be so sensitive and aware of the enemy’s tactics. What is more important, that you get your way or you prove yourself right in the middle of an argument, or that you strive to protect the unity of the body and in doing so shield the body not letting Satan have any foot hold. Let me just challenge you to read some of Jesus’ last words in the Garden of Gethsemane found in Matthew. Hopefully it will open your eyes like it did mine and move you to think more about the church as a family a body that is continually under the attack of the enemy and the importance of swallowing our pride humbling ourselves before one another and forgiving or asking for it. Thank you so much for all of your prayers they are truly felt, please don’t stop. I won’t be able to contact anyone or blog for at least a month if not three. I fly to Peru in one hour for jungle training and I will try to blog as soon as I get back. Love ya’ll so Much!
-Wholly His-
Amy Givens

Last Minute Updates

I first want to say a big thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with my blogs and praying for me. I have never felt the power of prayer over me like I have here. It brings me such comfort knowing that I am constantly being brought before the throne of God by so many believers.

The Lord has been teaching me so much about the power of praying specifically, and what it means to be a missionary. I have to admit the majority of my time here in guatemala I have been confused and discouraged about my role here. Before coming here I had some black and white views on what a missionary looks like and is supposed to do. I thought I was supposed to be uncomfortable plowing some field building some house or cleaning some one toothed mans mouth. But lets just say God has shattered that lie.

Although missionaries at times will find themselves in uncomfortble living situations in order to reach the lost it is not always the case. The Lord is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him! Yes I am leaving for the jungle tom, and I will most def. find myself miserable at times, God is not more glorified in us when we are uncomfortable or overworking ourselves in ministry. He simply wants us to be satisfied in him and be content in any and every situation knowing that He is enough.

This took a while to grasp because I was finding myself feeling guilty because I have been having such a great time here with my team and the people. But the truth is I am no different than any of you. We are all called to be missionaries. We are all called to live our lives in such a way that others see a difference and are drawn to that (or some cases are irritated). I think the reason it was so hard for me is because I felt I had to be apart of something bigger like building a house or doing some kind of street evangelism and although these are very affective methods and ones I am used to they are not the only way.
I have learned that just through living out my life and sharing my faith with whomever God puts in my life is one of the most powerful things you can do. I truly belive that there is a difference in my life and that God has absolutley changed my life and others see that. Our host families, teachers, and other random people God has allowed us to share with have all said that they have noticed a clear difference in us than the other groups of students who have come here. So just through living our lives there has been many questions raised and opportunities to share the gospel.
There has been alot of fruit from the relationships we have built here. A bible study has started with our teachers, bibles given, some recived for the first time, testimonies shared and lives changed. Some have rejected which is expected. I was on a bus talking with this girl from Ireland and we were having a good time talking utnil she asked me about what I was doing here and of course I see an open door I am gonna walk through it. I began sharing my testimony with her and her whole demeanor immediately changed. She became very irritated and angry. She told me she was the same faith as the people I was going to minister to in the jungle. She tried to explain to me how powerful it is to call on satan and speak to the different spirits. Her eyes didn't change colors and she didn't foam at the mouth, but I sure wouldn't have been surprised. I don't know if she was possessed at the time but you can imagine my eyes got real big and all the sudden my watch became really interesting.
I know I had some of the best training at the ILC but how can you be prepared for that? My mind just went back to the scripture in matthew where Jesus says; "don't be surprised when people reject you, they are not rejecting you but me." My heart broke for her as she continued to go on about how crazy I was.
I wasn't mad or upset just sad knowing that she is so BLINDED. It is so sad how many people are rejecting this awesome life changing relationship with Jesus, because they see it just as religion and nothing more. That is the saddest thing to me. Knowing that not only are people are dying and going into a eternity with out God but also that people are living with out this peace and joy that only comes from God.

Please pray for the peoples eyes to be opened and hearts softened. Although many reject some have been open to the gospel. I got to share with this guy form Denmark who is an atheist and was hard core against religion of any sort. He said it would take me a long time to talk him into believing in God. I shared my testimony with him and he was shocked with the passion I had in my life from God and listened intently to every word. He has been hanging out with us and said he was surprised at how much fun we had without having to get drunk or do anything crazy. We gave him a bible and he was really excited about reading it. And was dead set on reading it from beginning to end to see what the big deal is. The other week we passed by him in the market and he was reading it and told me he was going to stay home and just read it. God is GOOD! God is obviously working in his heart and that is just a testimony of the power of righteous prayers, a small group of eight believers simply living, loving and sharing Jesus.
Well I enter the jungle tom. the 17th and I will be training for one month with just my team. Then we will go to the city drop of our luggage and enter the jungle for three months at a time. There is still a great chance we will go to Bolivia at some point. Please pray for us. My team is Kelly, Leah, Lori, and Misty. Pray for us as we are about to go through really intense jungle fitness and survival training. I love you all and appreciate all the prayers the sweet cards I received for my birthday and the sweet comments on my blogs. I love you all! Special shout out to Aunt Gail, Gill, Nancy, Mary, Grandma Bowen, Mary, Uncle Joe, Tommy, Gary, Fred, Aunt Marsha, Tina, Grandma and Grandpa Givens! I pray for you all! I love you!

There´s Nothin Like Makin S´MORES Over Lava

Two weeks ago was one of my teammates birthday and we decided to hike up a volcanoe for her birthday. We hiked up Volcan Pikaya which is an active volcanoe in Guatemala. It was truly an amazing experience. I have never seen a prettier view than on the top of that volcanoe. The last half hour was so difficult because it was almost a straight vertical climb through dry crumbled lava. It was like climbing up mountain of sand. I would take three steps and still be in the same spot. It took so much just to get five feet. Our calves were killing us and we had to take several breathers just to get rested up for the next five steps.

As we were getting closer to the top we saw lava coming down near us.It scared us a little but it gave us the burst of energy we needed to get to the top. Once I finally made it to the top I was speechless, and if you know me that is very rare,haha. The wind was so viloent and the heat from the lava was burning my eyes.There aren´t words to describe what I saw. It was truly a spiritual moment. It reminded me of when I was in elementary school learning about volcanoes and looking at pictures of them in my textbook. Never would I have thought that I would be on top of one, let alone roasting marshmallows in the lava!
I like my marshmallows burnt (ppp girls) so I put mine in the lava to get it crispy like I would a fire. Yeah, they immediately went up in fames. Thankfully I had a little black crispy left for my cookie, and if you squint really hard you could see a little white left from the marshmallow.

I have to admit my highlight of the trip was when we began treking down the volcanoe and Lori and I let the group get way ahead of us so we could surf down the dry lava. We were going pretty fast and we got a couple cuts from the sharp lava but it was worth it. Arfter a couple spills we stopped and looked out at the sunsetting over some mountains and we just began singing and praising God. It was truly amazing.

Overall the trip was awesome and it wasn´t until the end that we found out that a week prior to our hike the volcanoe erupted while a another group was climbing up and they were all sent to the hospital. Yeah, I won´t be hiking up any more active volcanoes. One is enough, but it was worth it. Thankyo so much for all of your prayers. As you can see now they are beign answered.

I'm Liv'n in an Orphanage!

Wow, it's been an incredible adventure and we've only just arrived. Things are great with my family in San Juan. Our school for the orphans started last week. Everyday I wake up at 6am as the orphans begin trickling in our front door. I leave at 8am for school, which is ony a couple streets down from my house, and I arrive back home around 12. The moment I open my door I have 26 kids run and greet me with hugs and kisses. This starts the long routine of trying to pry them from as I walk with two on each leg and one in each arm. It truly is a site to see. It's not often you find a routine your used to here but, this one is mine. These kids live in poverty stricken areas with either a relative, or one parent. We feed, teach, and play with the kids until they are picked up at 6pm. I can't tell you how much I enjoy my family and having a orphanage right in my house.

It's so funny because the kids just cannot understand that I don't speak spanish. They can't comprehend why I can't understand them or talk clearly back to them. They treat me like I am a kid in an adults body. It reminds me of that movie, I am Sam or Jack. They all hold my hand and take me everywhere. They fight to care of me. It truly is one of the sweetest and funniest things I have ever experienced!

Yesterday, I finished washing the kid's dishes and I saw some little girls playing with some popcylce sticks so I started to play with them and pretend to give them makeovers with the sticks. They loved it! They were all crowding around to get thier hair brushed, makeup put on, and nails done, all with a popcycle stick. Then they sat me down and decided to give me one. For the next twenty minutes I had 20 little hands all my face. They were brushing my hair, painting my nails, fighting for my face, and one little girl who kept poking me in the eye with the popcycle stick. She didn't exactly understand how to use the stick. As if there is a certain way.

Lastly, they told me to open my mouth so they could brush my teeth. Oh yeah, I know what you're thinking, me too. But, I reluctantly opened wide not knowing where the sticks had been or what kind of germs where on them. Thankfully, that process wasn't that painful. By the end I had a face full of splinters, hair that looked like I stuck my finger in a socket, and the best part, I turned around and saw a little nino "boy" shoving all the sticks in his underwear! Needless to say, I quickly ran grabbed my tooth brush and began one of the longest teeth cleanings of my life.

Well, that is just a brief summary of what life is like in my house. Thank you for all of your prayers. You can't imagine how much I rely on them. I could not be here if it weren't for everyone of you. Please never underestimate the power of each prayer. God is really giving us incredible opportunities to share the gospel. Pray for our teachers, families, friends we have made in the city, and just our love for one another. Please check soon for my next Blog about my experience at the active volcano. CRAZY! Oh, and please pray for us this weekend. This Saturday we are going to rent motorcycles for a day and travel around Guatemala. I have never driven a motorcycle so I am a little nervous, but someone told me it's just like riding a bike just a little fast so I think I got it. Just pray! WEll I love you so much, and Juli Dees it was so good to hear from you!

I Made It!!!!

Well, sorry this has taken a while but as you can imagine it has been really crazy! We arrived safely to Guatemala last Friday, and as we were getting our luggage, I was talking and goofing off and then I realize that everyone had thier luggage already and the baggage claim was empty. At first I was a little frantic as I tried to use the little spanish I knew to tell the Airpot employee my luggage is not here. Then it was as if a peace came over me and I was just reminded who was really in control. I am so greatful for that moment of fear and peace that came form the Lord and set the pace for this journey.

After leaving the airport, we had no idea who we were stayng with, or how we were getting there so it was a little exciting and scary! Thankfully we spoted our guy with a little sign among what seemed like hundreds of other pèople yelling at us and holding up signs, yeah it was fun.When we arrived we were immediatly seperated from each other and put with our families. My family is so Awesome! We were all saying how it is so funny how our families match us perfectly. God definitely ordained who we would be living with.

Im my family I have a little sister who is 13, a younger brother who is 9, and two parents. I have so much fun talking with my little sister, Liz. She is a typical teenage girl. She reminds me of Kaylie, excpet she hugs me everywhere I go and holds my hand. My little brother Oto is sooooo fun! I love coming home from school and playing with him. He is such a little boy, always wanting to play around. He cheats at every game though! My mom, Rosa, is so funny, and let´s just say an extravert, which is unccomon for women around here. My dad, Cecilio, is gone working alot as a gardner.After dinner my family and I will turn up the music, dance, and sing and play games, oh we eat at 8 or 9 if i am lucky! My family is very loud, you can hear us down the street. My freinds laughed as they met my family and said i fit in perfectly with them. God is good!

My family, like just about everybody here, is Catholic. I have been able to share alot with them, although we cannot go deep in converstaions yet, due to my lack of spanish but God is really working through all of us among our families. We were all encouraged to spend time getting involved in volunteer work somewhere and of course my first thought was where´s the orphange. I have asked around to many people and the only orphanges are far from San Juan, which is where I live. I was begining to be really bumbed and just began praying about it.

Well, Yesterday at breakfast my mom told me she is a teacher also, and she teaches at her house. Then I realized why our house was painted bright pink and yellow with pictues of whinnie the pooh and little ninos everywhere. Then she explained she teaches orphans. They come to her housre at 6am and she feeds them and teaches them and then they leave at 2pm. When I told my team they couldn´t belive it, becuase they knew how much i was really bumbed out about not finding an orphanage to work in. God truly ordained where I am living. The school starts on thursday and I will wake up at 5 and help till I leave for school at 8 then when I return at 12 and help till the leave at 2pm. I am so excited!
Well i have to go but i will blog again soo because so much more has happened! Luv you guys!

The Highlight of my DC Trip!

While in DC God gave us many amazing opportunities to share the gospel. While in the Cathedral I noticed several nuns walking around stopping at each shrine reciting their prayers with their rosary beads. I also noticed that they looked foreign so I prayed for an opportunity and walked up to one of the girls and began asking her where she was from. They were from India and were on a missionary journey.

So I then I preceded to tell her how I used to want to be a nun. She looked shocked and said, "Wow, well what happened, are you catholic?" Then I shared with her my testimony, how I grew up in a christian home and gave Jesus my life as a young girl. At about 8 I knew I wanted to tell everyone about this love and friendship I had in Jesus. The only way I knew to do that was to be a nun or a missionary. Truthfully I wanted to be a monk at one time until my dad burst my bubble and told me only men were monks.(Remember that dad) She laughed and asked what I decided to do and I shared with her my heart fo rmissions. So that I can tell everyone of God's goodness,friendship, and need for a savior.

Other nuns began to walk up and listen as we talked but towards the end she seemed to get distracted, and not really pay attention. I just sensed the Holy Spirit saying she is not ready and heart was not open. So she shook my hand and told me it was nice to meet me and we parted ways. Please pray for her, I don't even remember her name but God knows.

After lunch my two partners for extreme team and one other girl going to South America split from the group and decided to tour DC on our own. We took the metro to see the Washington monument. When we got their we saw 4 guys standing on a hill and we decided to ask them if they would mind taking our picture. We noticed they all had accents and found out they were from Quebec. Lori, Misty, and Ellen began talking to three of the guys while somehow I ended up talking to the other guy(Joelle) one on one.

Joelle told me he was in school studying civil engineering. I then told him my brother in law studied that at NC State but he is not doing that any more but is pursuing missions now. He looked at me funny and asked why, then I preceded to tell him Jimmy's testimony. Thanks Jimmy:) He could really relate to Jimmy's life. Then I asked him what he believes in. He told me where he is from religion is not big. Everyone pretty much just believes in being kind to one another and being a good person, and that when you die you just become nothing. There is no life after death.

He then asked me what I believe and I shared with him my testimony and how I have a deep friendship with God. I have a great love and satisfaction with God. I also told him I am NOT a religious person and the I don't think Jesus even liked religious people. Religion is dead and empty just like the party life,that I explained before. But when you have a REAL relationship with God it will change your life!

He looked at me very confused and said, " I don't understand, this is so strange to me. I have never met anyone who actually thinks and speaks of God as you have. Who actually has an excitement for God. You have to understand where iI amfrom people don't believe or speak like this. But We have been raised differently and I think it is culture differences. You believe what you want and so will I."

Long story short we talked for about an hour and the girls also got to share with the other guys. Two of them were catholic and one was atheist. So please be praying for them. Their names are Joelle, JB, JP, and I think Nick. Those were seeds planted and I know God ordained the whole event. It truly was such a blessing and the highlight of our DC trip! Oh make sure you read the nest blog about DC below:)