It has been about a month and a half since arriving to Colombia, and my team and I have had many different ministry opportunities. We had the chance to visit Jericó and Guatapé, and this week we are in the outskirts of Medellín for 10 days. From serving at Ciudad Refugio, or at an elder home, helping out with a youth event, or praying for people on the streets, it has been wonderful seeing Holy Spirit moving and working. Check out my teammate’s blogs for more details and some testimonies! @Alex @Jerod

I have especially loved getting to know the youth and the men in the recovery program at Ciudad Refugio. Getting to know each person and their stories, and simply having fellowship with one another is so impactful. Just the other day, as my team and I were leaving Ciudad Refugio to serve in another ministry, a man from the recovery program asked me if we could trade shirts just in case we didn’t see each other again. Before we left, I saw him one last time and he was wearing my shirt. Needless to say, I will be very sad when we leave Colombia!

This last month of February marks 2 years since I really devoted my life to the Lord, and as I look back in retrospect, I am deeply grateful to Father for cleaning my heart every day, for building my character every day, and for his great patience and love and grace. I have learned to love prayer, and when I go to pray and it's hard to concentrate, that is when I realize I need to spend more time in the word and in worship. Truly, prayer reveals inner chaos, and it so important to have silence and stillness! 

The fact that we can approach the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) through prayer is just so powerful, such an honor. Whenever I feel anxious, stressed, lonely, restless, tired, or afflicted in any way, I have learned to lean on Jesus by simply waiting on his Spirit with a heart posture of reverence, quiet, and patience (Ps 37:5,7, Ps 116:6-7). Silence is a discipline to put away outer distraction (Matt 6:6), and stillness is quieting our soul and focusing our mind on Christ (Ps 130:5-6). Time after time, I can be confident that the Lord will be faithful in bringing comfort and refreshment to my soul! 

This past month and a half has been really awesome, but there has also been times of uncertainty and of admittedly having to painfully adapt in various different ways. Nevertheless, it is a matter of rejoicing– for as we are pushed to the end of ourselves, and respond in surrender, abiding and trusting in the Lord, there is rest and there is freedom! (Ex 14:14, John 8:31-32)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matt 11:28-30

Beautiful Father, in Jesus' name, draw that person reading right now to your throne of grace. Satisfy his and her soul with refreshing waters. Oh Lord, fill them with your word of truth, that they may find rest in the shelter of your presence! In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.