Update on Life

Friends,

I don’t know where this letter finds you, but I want you to know that I’m thinking of you and praying that wherever you are, you recognize the presence of the almighty God right beside you. As you are there and I am here, let me tell you about what’s happening in Mendoza.

As you might know I have been working as a volunteer in a preschool in my neighborhood. It has been such a great opportunity to get to know the children of the area, to see how a preschool is run, to take ideas and create new ones, and most importantly to bring the presence of God into a dark place.
These children need His love. They are, at such a young age (3 years old), acting in ways that I wouldn’t want my child of any age to act. They come from a lower class in society where abuse just might be a part of their little lives, where hunger is seen on a small scale, where violence is a daily occurrence and seen as normal. These kids need role models, examples to follow and that is way God has called me to this place, to love them, protect them, teach them, stand up for them, and show them abundant life in Jesus.

This month we were able to participate in a movement/protest against the legalization of homosexual marriage and child adoption. There have been two of these events with more than 1000 people standing up for God’s original design for family. It is possible that due to the rising up of so many people all over Argentina, the law might not be approved!

I continue praying and seeking God’s guidance as to the steps we are to take in moving the Kid’s Center ministry forward. What does God have in mind? What are the next steps we are to take? Who will be apart of this ministry (directly and indirectly)? Where should we buy property and build? These are all questions that only God knows the answers to, the key is to seek His heart and discover His will.

I had an accident about a month ago and hurt my neck and back. I did two weeks of physical therapy and am feeling much better. While I was attending the sessions I had the opportunity on various occasions to tell the therapists about my faith and the gift of salvation! The word of the Lord never returns void and I pray that this seed will take root in their hearts and that they may come to know God personally.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to live by faith daily extending His kingdom. God has brought me to a deeper level with Him; I am learning to walk daily sustained by His miracles. May God give us strength each day to die to ourselves and put Him on the throne. He knows best and has authority over all things!

Open Doors

God has been speaking to me a lot lately about His plans and dreams for me!

Let´s rewind a bit...
May 2007, it was my last year of highschool and I was on the varsity track team. I had been doing track and field for six years, i loved it and God had blessed me with this talent! I had two different colleges that had invited me to run track for them, but after praying about it I felt that God was calling me to head a different direction...Mendoza, Argentina!
It was not the easiest thing leaing home and i had really enjoyed the years of running track, but felt like God was calling to move on to something new.

After arriving here and realizing that soccer is almost as important as eating, i decided to give it a shot. I had never really played it back home since it wasn´t a sport that anyone in my family played, but thought it would be fun to learn!
It wasn´t very long until i began to really enjoy planning and they asked me to join the girls team here on the YWAM base! I said yes and we began practicing each week!
Last year in August as i was playing soccer one day, I had an accident and tore my ACL (a ligament in my knee). It didn´t take me very long to realize what i had done since two years previously i had tore the ssame ligament in the other knee.
I flew home and had surgery, the doctors told me that i needed to rest and wait 6 months before playing sports again. I did my exercises and recovery as they told me, and when March rolled around i slowly and cautiously began to play soccer again.
Last week as i was playing i streched a muscle weird and it was sore for about 3 days. I was frustrated and did understand why i was getting hurt again. It had been awhile since the last time i had played, but i began to pray about it and ask God what He wanted to speak to me through this.

In my frustration i thought to myself:¨why would God give me such a strong passion and love for sports if i just keep getting hurt and then am unable to play?¨
Then suddenly i was reminded of a quote one of my leaders once told me: ¨When God gives us dreams and passions, He gives us doors to walk through. Sometimes we keep trying to open one, but it seems that no matter how hard we try to beat down the door, it won´t open...it´s then that we need to realize that there are other doors. It doesn´t mean that God doesn´t want us to walk in the dream or passion, it just means we need to find the right door to walk through in order to fulfill God´s dream.¨ I am realizing that maybe soccer is not the right door for me. As i was seeking the Lord and the door, God reminded me of something that I gave up when i came here. I gave up running, i had loved it, i wanted to run in college, i loved competing, but i had chosen something greater by coming here and now was reminding me of that dream and passion i left behind.
I don´t know what God has for me in the future, but i am seeking the right door to wak through in order to fulfill the dreams God has for my life!
I am talking with my leaders and praying about joining a track team here in Mendoza!

Please keep me in your prayers as I seek God and the doors He wants to open in my life!

Constitucion, Chile - Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

This last week i have been helping with the earthquake/tsunami relief in Constitucion, Chile. Many people's lives, jobs, families, and house have been affected greatly by this tragedy.
I have had the privilege of sharing the Word of God with many people and they have been open to listening and receiving prayer! god is doing great things and i hope to see Constitucion rebuilt, firm on the foundation of God's truth!

Please keep us in your prayers as there is much work yet to be done. The greatest need that we are seeing is the need for emotional and psychological help/comfort. Many people are receiving donations and getting back to life, but many businesses have been destroyed. I have heard it said that it could take Constitucion 30 years to rebuild itself to where it was before the earthquake and tsunami.
Please also pray for wisdom and guidance as we talk with people, that God would give us words and divine appointments as well!

Running the Race

I feel like I’m running a race.

I’ve been running for quite some time, I’m tired, I feel alone, and I want to get to the finish line in order to receive the price of a race well run.

I am running to reach the goal. I’m running with perseverance. Running in obedience without understanding the full idea of why the race seems so long.

Every time I think as though the end is coming I’m left with dust on my knees; I get back up and keep on running despite the bruises and weariness.

The other day I was encouraged, a friend told me that I was not alone in this race. They told me that they were in it too. They told me that if we run just a little bit more we will arrive! We will receive the price for our obedience and perseverance!

Lord Jesus, Help me never lose sight of you. Help me remember that you are my strength; you are the giver of life. You are my everything. I am never satisfied with what I have in you; I need more of you each day.
Help me to persevere even when I don’t understand. Help me to walk in obedience even when it doesn’t make sense. I will not live life by my emotions or the circumstances; I will live by the truth on which I stand. I will continue recognizing you in all things, I am not my own. You have given me life and given it to the fullest. I am ever so grateful. I love you Jesus. I need you. Please be with me in this race. Please guide me in my steps. Show me where to turn and where keep straight. Show me your hand when I start to fall. Be with me Jesus. I will follow you where ever you go.
Guide me in your ways. Run this race with me today and always.