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!