For such a Time as this

The 400 year old chateau that we called home.

We thought France was going to be relaxing. We thought we would be sipping coffee, having class, and do a few casual ministry times on the streets and in a cafe or two.  But God surprised us!

On the 17th we got to experience the worst flood that the area has seen in at least 50 years!  There was a bad flood here in 2008 that everyone in town talked about previously...this one was much worse!

Before and "During"
The River rose 12 feet! 

From what I have heard, it was the equivalent of 3 months of rain in one night.  The river rose up 12 feet, flooding many bottom stories.  The water was rushing down the hill and THROUGH the chateau! It was coming up through the ground! At times we felt like we were in the titanic, with water gushing through the doorways and into the rooms. Luckily it only got knee deep.

We were and are grateful to have been here. Having the Denver team here gave 13 extra people to help move furniture, dig trenches and bail out water! Because of that there was minimal damage.  For 4 hours we threw buckets of water out the windows and doors, singing while we worked.

It was actually quite fun and exciting, a good memory! My body was achy two days later, but my spirit was happy. In the surrounding area 6 people died as well as horses, livestock and many cars. But at the chateau we were all safe and sound.

It was an experience I'll surely never forget and one that brought much bonding and unity to the teams.  I'm sad we didn't get to stay a few more days to help with moving the furniture back to the bottom floor and more cleaning. But happy to have been able to help in the time of crisis.  Praying for those who lost so much in this storm. France, you have left your mark on me!

Budapest

Budapest welcomed us with Cool weather and great views. Its one of those cities that many people dream of visiting.
Our team had a great time in Budapest. So much so that three of the girls were looking up apartments to rent hoping for a return.

View from the Cathedral.  

My adventure buddies.  Often Aubrey, JoJo, myself and Anthony would
buddy up looking for adventure!  Sometimes that included hiking up hills
to get a great view. :-)

Gulasch... yum!

I have lots of pictures from walking around the city, it seems every corner has a beautiful building or great view. Our ministry times were much more like things we'd be doing at "home". Twice a week we went out to subway stops to do " evangelism". This looked like us setting up speakers and a microphone, singing songs, performing dramas and giving short speeches on the microphone speaking of love and testimony of Gods goodness in our lives. The thing we struggled with most was lack of translators. Only on one day while doing this did we have someone available to translate.  Quite unfortunate none of us speak Hungarian. We also did two nights of bar ministry, one day of handing out sandwiches to homeless and two nights in coffee shops with one of our team members performing.

Many of the younger generation speak English, but our first day we ran into very few that we were able to communicate with. Throughout the week had some great encounters and conversations. Half of these great conversations were with Hungarians and half with tourists.

Perhaps my favorite conversation was at the end of one of our bar ministry days. An English tourist joined me in conversation and I simply shared what we were doing. He asked "so you want to convert me?" To which I replied, "no, let's just have a normal conversation, if we happen to talk about God, great! Because I love talking about God!" This allowed us to have a great 15 minute conversation, mostly about God. :)

Simpla- one of Budapest's more famous bars and where we had bible study!  Why not?

This was the day that we took sandwiches to the homeless.  We met this man.
His name is Atilla and he asked for us to pray that his wife would deliver a healthy baby.
They had already lost the last 3 babies and all he wanted was a healthy baby.
We gave him a Hungarian bible and prayed whole heartedly!

Zsofi, an amazing Hungarian girl that loved joining in the ministry times.
If I ever have a daughter- I LOVE her name!

When people I meet ask what I'm doing, I tell them spreading love around the world. "We love because he first loved us." Knowing the love of my heavenly Father is one of the greatest joys. I'm just hoping to spread that so others can experience THAT.  Along the way there have been a couple of people who have prayed for salvation, a handful who have been healed through prayer and a thousand smiles shared.

Budapest was a very different experience from Guatemala, but so good in giving a greater picture of the world and different cultures.

The least of these

A big lesson learned in a very real and tangible way.

Our last day doing a children's program at the dump. In our last 10 minutes a little girl walks up. She hasn't been at the rest of the program, but stumbled in for our ending game. It takes just a moment to see that she is different. No one knows exactly what is the reason, but her skin is dry and flaking. Was she badly burned? Is it a severe skin condition? This little girl, maybe 9 years old has her entire epidermis flaking off. Her arms, her face, her scalp.

As I reached to touch her to guide her as long in the game I had second thoughts and shrunk back. I was unsure. If I touched her would I catch something awful? And in that moment my mind went to this verse, "truly I say to you, as you did it to  one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40). In 30 seconds my brain switched gears and I wanted to hug her. I wanted to show her love. I was still cautious and wondering if I'd catch something, but if just for a moment, a little less worried about myself and a little more concerned for this very precious and often ignored child.

While experiencing all of this in Guatemala I was reading "Compelled By Love" by Heidi Baker. INTENSE! This woman is seriously crazy! A modern day Mother Theresa wanting only to Love and love fully. Many of the quotes in the book are from Mother Theresa, for sure one of my heroes.  A great quote, "Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them." -Mother Theresa

I'm grateful that I have finally had the opportunity to talk with them. To sit on the side of the road and if for a minute experience the drear and desperation.

I pray that I won't forget this lesson as I continue in life hoping to learn a little more how to love better.

Guatemala week 2

The second week was better than the first. Some of the things experienced in the first week would be enough to emotionally scar people if they don't go in with the right attitude. On our first day ministering on the streets one of the dogs napping on the side of the road was run over right in front of our leader.  Another fun story: I was cut by cleaver. A man trying to sell silverware and knives got a little too close and cut my arm. Good news though, it was only a scratch.

We have been to the poorest, dirtiest and darkest areas of Guatemala city. We were wrecked as we gathered the children from the dump. Seeing where and how some people live
can be shocking. Our hearts cried for the women at La liña (the line) where there are rows of rooms that women rent for the day to prostitute themselves. For many, they believe it is the only way to make enough money. Most are there by choice. They have children and families that they need to provide for, and they feel this is the best way.

Week two looked a lot like week one. We went to a lot of the same areas and saw many of the  the same people.  But, being a little better acclimated, it seemed easier or better.  Everyone agreed that week two was better for us than week one. 

One morning we woke up the group of homeless youth that we had seen the week before. Perhaps the great thing about waking them up is that they hadn't had an entire day of huffing shoe glue and maybe were in a better mind. We just enjoyed hanging out with them, singing songs, I taught some English words and phrases. At the end of our time we performed some dramas and gave a few testimonies. We then prayed for those who wanted prayer and one of the boys prayed to receive Christ.  In these times its so hard to leave, but I have great comfort knowing that the Street Revolution ministry will be there to follow up every week.

Our last full day there we went to a Christian High School which was a huge blessing to everyone! My team was blessed and encouraged by the hunger of the youth there. After an hour of dramas and speaking, they skipped out on their recess time to one by one ask for prayer. Many tears were shed, especially from the Senior class who will be graduating in October. With all of life ahead, we were blessed to be able to encourage them and definitely rejoice in all of the amazing things they will accomplish!

A week in Guatemala

Its been one week in Guatemala. I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been challenging. But among the challenges and trials, it has been good. Living in a walled in community is both great because it is safe but not great because there is no where to go! I love my team of 12 others, but every now and then it would be great to get away.

A typical day in Guatemala finds us waking up and ready for breakfast by 7:30am. Most days we will have an hour to read, pray and mentally prepare for the day. Then out the door and to the streets at 9am.

We've done a few different types of ministries. I have to say that my preferred one is the kids clubs. In 3 different areas we gathered the kids who live in the market or the dump. Most of them "street kids" but not orphans. We did some songs, talked about the creation story colored pictures did a few skits and had snack. Its a time to love on these kids and hopefully instill a little truth into their lives.  I didn't walk through the dump to collect the kids, but those who did said it was absolutely heart wrenching. Babies sitting on piles of garbage. This is their home and reality.  The danger to us is making sure we tie our hair back and wash our clothes to guard against lice and perhaps wash the feces off of our pants. But that doesn't seem like too much trouble to be able to enjoy a time with "the least of these". (Luke 25:40)

Speaking if the least...the ministry we are partnering with is called " Street Revolution".  It is run by David and his wife Julie(a native of Guatemala). Its been great having them as our guides on the streets and giving us background information and a little bit of context.  I have so much respects for them and this ministry as it is one that sees a lot of pain and little fruit.

The rest of our ministry time on the streets has been highly uncomfortable. The homeless people in Guatemala almost all use a solvent as their drug of choice.  Life on the streets is hard and to numb the pain they breathe deeply on fumes strong enough to knock you off of your feet. So, while we go to hang out and love on them, most of them are high and some just fall over and pass out. When encouraged to give up their solvent soaked cloth, they simply shrug it off and say no. David goes to the poverty stricken areas and talks to the people on the streets. He plays games with them, draws pictures, washes their feet and gives minor medical attention. So, that is what we did. I wasn't quite ready to dive into the feet washing yet, but I did lose at street checkers (different rules).

More stories of course, like how i got cut with a knife on the street or about our day at the prostitute row, but these will have to wait.

When Giving Hurts So Good!

Today we had a “day of giving” we were encouraged to consider giving sacrificially.  The idea is that you love some THING a lot that maybe you don’t own it, but it owns you.  We were not MADE to give but encouraged to. 

 

We were told on Friday that we would have this time on Wednesday and that we should pray about it.  The only thing that I could think of that would actually be a sacrifice to give is my absolute favorite dress.  I prayed about it and felt that I didn’t have to give it away.  But a couple of other items came to mind and I gave them pretty freely.  But God was still working on me. 

 

We are learning how to hear God.  This includes just listening.  So many times we “quiet” the Holy Spirit when we are prompted to say something or do something.  We reason it away thinking that it’s just a stupid passing thought.  But being in a furnace these days with all of the amazing people surrounding me at YWAM Denver, we are all constantly encouraged.  Encouraged to listen, encouraged the give, encouraged to act. 

 

Today many people gave away their most precious possessions.  I’m not talking just dresses and shirts and scarves (though many of those were given).  But think even bigger. 

 

Someone gave their wedding ring.

Someone gave an engagement ring.

More than one person gave away their laptop computer.

Precious jewelry with deep meaning, MP3 players, purses, cameras, toys, shoes and so much more!

Some of us committed to give money both now and later.  Those of us holding on to our money tightly, painfully let it go to people who probably needed it more.  Many tears were shed.

 

I was blown away when I was given two gifts.  I went into the event expecting nothing because I really need nothing.  But A staff member called me up within the first 10 minutes!  He gave me a beautiful antique looking globe.  He also gave kind words and encouragements to go along with it.  Thanks Steph!  Later, a teammate called me up and gave me little shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush as well as $100!  I was blown away as she confirmed that God would take care of me.  That He is in all of the little details.  That was the confirmation that I needed to give away some money of my own.  I painfully dipped into my “savings” that I wasn’t supposed to touch.  I gave away money meant for my future.  It was a big step in trust.  Trusting that God will completely take care of me.  Trusting that His plan is bigger than my own!  Trusting that my future is already taken care of by the One that freely gives (and takes away).

 

Whew.  Big day!  Its always such a blessing to give.  Praise God for all of the good gifts that He gives and for how he has blessed both the giver and receivers today.  May we all live out a life of generosity and TRUST!

 

I’m hoping that this might inspire you.  Say a little prayer and ask God how you can be generous today!  Giving hurts… so good.

A Time in the Mountains

Colorado is seriously BEA-U-TI-FUL!  It is amazing being surrounded by mountains and although the bumpy windy roads can occasionally turn your tummy, I'm consistently amazed by the splendor I get to see with every short car ride.

This past week the students in the Discipleship Training School spent a week at a base that was up in the mountains.  Its called "Eagle Rock" and sits at 8,535 feet above sea level.  The awesome part is that the temperature was much cooler, so we got a little relief from the heat of the un- air-conditioned dorm rooms.  The sad part is that about half of the team came back with colds (myself included).

Here are some pictures of some of the really fantastic sights from the last month.  Oh... P.S.  I've already been here for one month!  Crazy!  At the half way point for the training phase of the Around the World Outreach!  4 more weeks and I will be on the road with my team! (woohoo!)

See that up there?  That is where we are going!

Made it to the top!  About 9,300 feet in elevation.

Max, enjoying the view

Oh Beautiful, for spacious skies...

The "crew" that went to the top this time!  Others went for sunset and sunrise!
Hmmm.... maybe next time ;-)

From a hike to "Hanging Lake"

Red Rocks Amphitheater with my small group!