Where in the World? El Salvador…Nicaragua

So this journey of traveling has been a whirlwind. After Panama(pictures are coming!), I found myself traveling for four days to get to our next destination. Through Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Hondurous, and finally El Salvador there was ten to twelve hour bus rides and overnight hostel stays.

It was quite an adventure of sleep, patience, scenery…and luckily (mainly due to dramamine) no motionsickness(by that I mean throwing up), praise God!

It started off with all twenty-six of us travelers, than we dropped off Seven-Eleven plus Megan in Nicargua and four of the Beloved girls. Then myself , Heather, Molly , and Traday departed the squad in El Salvador, while the others headed to Guatemala.

Our stay in El Salvador was truly a cultural and family experience. We met up with our friend and contact,Silvia, who had it all planned out. Through prayerful consideration we were placed with all different families during our ten day stay. What a God ordained time that was for each of us! Blogs will be coming along with great pics.

Now I find myself in a hostel waiting for our next and last destination. We are heading back to Nicaragua to spend our last and final ministry moments there. I can hardly believe that ten months of ministry has past by and by the 26^th of July I will be back in Michigan!

Please continue to keep us covered in prayer.  We desire focus for the end weeks, hearts and eyes to be opened to ministry moments, miracles to occur, and our minds and bodies to be geared up for these last weeks of packed filled serving moments.

Until the next time...Where in the world will I be next?

Enough

The reflection of my time in Panama brings forth the word enough. At this point in the Race the scripture of God not giving me more than I could handle came in my mind plenty of times. To be amidst fully in my team community, love unconditionally, have the vibrancy and stamina to do ministry with true servant hood and gusto seemed to be a struggle. The desire was there but my energy and patience seemed to be weary.

There was this inner struggle with being ok with the constant change in ministry during these three weeks. I was actually relieved that the serving moments were changeable, brief but impactful. But the questioning of why this was occurring was at the forefront. I knew full well that I did not want my last months to be in vain, counting down the days until I was in my familiar home setting with loved ones. The question of whether it was laziness, complacency, or spiritual attacks kept rolling around in my mind.

Never less when the situation seemed to be overbearing and I was at my wits end God brought relief. There was sickness that provided a day of rest and reflection, change in my environments that brought new people, insights, and relationships. Every time I laid my feelings at His feet He only gave me enough…nothing more or less …and as a result I  knew that with Him I could handle what He was asking me to do at that moment and time.

At one particular point of reflection the awareness of a lifetime of routine came to me. It was like a light bulb had been turned on! Since I had been five years old, twenty-eight years of my life, my body has been on the same time frame and response mode. Start school in September, multiple holiday breaks, and in June, schools out for the summer! My elementary school days, high school, college, teaching, graduate school, all of these days followed the same schedule. So in this season of time my body was starting to enter into the shutdown and recoup mode.

This made so much sense of why my mind and body wanted to shut down and this realization brought relief among my mass confusion.

The struggle being, that the WR is not on this same schedule. So…I’m pushing through…and embracing the moments of down time and transition. Keeping my mind focused on making an impact with my prayer life, love, serving attitude and heart, all the while inviting the Holy Spirit to be the forerunner has been the  push and motivation throughout my weeks.

My weeks in Panama were truly tailor made for me…our hostel stays (awesome ministry moments), working with Carman and the school, living on an island with the Kuna people, living in the orphanage with the Beloved girls and my three day solitude retreat with Heather and Pam… not overwhelming or too much…but enough… and for that the ministry and impact was abundantly blessed.

Often on the race we (the older WR's) get nostalgic and think about the TV shows and movies of our younger years. It is so fun because it brings up so many pleasant memories. The memories usually come when we gather together as a squad…because we older folks are spread out.

I have been reminded lately of Eight is Enough, about a family with 8 children. And boy, the adventures, troubles, and love that came from that family. Over the course of Costa Rica the whole family, all twenty six of us have stayed together for the month, for the first time. There has been some ministry opportunities (teams were mixed up) ,learning Spanish and  times of worship  together. All have been powerful and memorable. These moments were challenging, exciting and uplifting!

We certainly have had laughs (we're a funny bunch), and challenges (16 girls in one bedroom…some are early sleepers and others are night owls ; 0), along with extremely frigid girl showers that can make even a saint a little edgy! We have also had celebrations with birthdays (Colleen, Megan and Molly) and reunions (Sarah was reunited with us after going home for 3 ½ months to be with her mother who is ill). We also have had our share of goodbyes. The same day Sarah arrived we said goodbye to Mark. His sister was in a car accident and lost most of her eye sight, so he went home to help out and serve his family during this time of transition. , amaizng Then we had to say adios to the amazing folk at the YWAM base who fortunately have Face book, so we will be keeping in touch! However, this time as a squad has been rare and cherished.  

It has always been 26 of us on the September squad. We gain, lose, gain and lose and the number still remains.  We originally left with 26. But then there was losing Sarah the first few days in Africa, but then gaining a whole new member to our squad and my team, Traday during that same month, again 26. Finally the excitement of having Sarah return then finding out Mark was going to leave, 26. So many transitions…celebratory and heartbreaking at the same time. 

But that number isn't quite enough. It won't be a true complete family until all the members will be present. On July 18^th our final debrief occurs. Mark is coming and finally our whole squad will be complete! That will be a date in history and a Kodak moment!

Who can imagine the impact of all twenty seven of us together…the worship, power, and the outpouring of love and affirmation into each other.  Can't wait!

But in the meantime we have had some amazing times in Costa Rica, the twenty six of us…enjoy!

The Switzerland Gang

A fun Squad night..dinner and dancing

Celebrating and saying goodbye to our dear friend Silvia

Spanish School

Getting out of the city...a fun trip to Arenal...just Renee, Molly and I

Birthdays... Colleen, Megan and Molly...What fun!

Our life long friends...Chris and Grace...what a blessing they were!

Angels Unaware -Part 2

Everywhere we have been around the world you do have to keep a watchful eye and an extra grip on your handbag or backpack but nothing at least for me has happened. It is however a bit more shady as you enter into Panama City especially in Casco Viejo where our hostel has been, but just is life…you move on and venture out.

It was our first day in the city and after resting Tradday and I went to meet up with some of the gang at the mall. We were taking in the sights, observing women walking the streets with big hair curlers in their hair (coming from the salon?), and noticing that there were many more  Black people in Panama (very few in Costa Rica). While we were discussing the whereabouts of the bus pickup, Traday said "keep your purse tight". My purse was close up to the side of me but I pulled it even closer and to the front.

This moment of the story too, needs to be backed up. So as we were walking Traday was apparently behind me and noticed a woman as we were passing a hat stand. We were at that time walking on a more crowded street with more vendors. She saw the woman lean down as I passed her as if she was leaning over to pick up a fallen hat.  But Traday felt alerted about it and looked right at the woman and then told me the warning.

As these words came out of her mouth, I pulled up my purse and saw that it had been sliced by a blade. And right in view were my wallet and a teammate's passport that I was holding! We immediately looked around and the lady was nowhere in view. What a miracle that the lady didn't have another second to reach in and pull out what was there!

 We kept walking and felt very shocked and overwhelmed. Even at the mall Trayday and I several times brought it up and had to process it all over again.

One thing that has calmed my nerves in those moments and thereafter is the way that I have felt especially protected and looked after. After the attack we needed to find our bus to the mall. We had no clue but as World Racers we just go, pray and usually our "angels" of directions will come. And so he did, guiding us after several misunderstandings (the language barrier), to the correct bus. He even came on and got us as we got on the wrong bus, he wouldn't leave until he knew we were going in the right direction. And there after, there have been "persons" who seem to hold out a protective eye out for us. As we are running, crossing over dangerous areas…there is that extra protection and guidance being offered.

I have always teased about the presence of angels in my life. Whether it be "they" are my bodyguards and ward of unwanted men (or wanted onesJ), or protect me in my many times of driving among the craziness of Detroit traffic. But I seriously know that they exist and are here to protect, guide and glorify God's kingdom.

I am so grateful as we are traveling into the depths of the enemy's ground that we are being watched out for. "These protectors" along with the  presence of the Holy Spirit and His discernment has made my traveling moments peaceful and not fear-filled. It is so reassuring that I am a child of the King and I am being protected in all circumstances. It is good to know that among us there are angels roaming unaware.

Angels Unaware -Part 1

Growing up in a home setting surrounded by music I found myself involved in many church and school plays and musicals. One particular, was done a couple times in church throughout my childhood. It was "Angels Unaware". It was about the angels and their purpose and calling of God and their roles on earth. I was quite funny and always fun to do.

This memory came to me recently due to several instances I have had. It reminded me of the true existence and protection that Angels have over us throughout our day and lives. Hence to say I have needed some protection. J

I was concentrating on reading but then had an "instinct" to look around to my surroundings. As I surveyed the room I saw… all the different places we (4 of us) were sitting, Molly's table that was empty and an older man passing by.

So…let me back up. In the "unknown" to me, Molly went to order a drink and asked Heather who was vertically across from her to watch her stuff. No problem…as it wasn't crowded and was more of an upscale shop.

 There wasn't anything suspicious looking about "the man" but I felt as if he still needed to be observed. He passed her table once and slowly turned around and backtracked and as sly and quick as he could his hand reached out and covered her purse (which was near the corner of the table…I know not a smart ideaJ)

"No, no, no, no no" came rushing out of my mouth as I leaped up and ran across the coffee shop. Meanwhile he slowly started to leave as if nothing had occurred. I ran and as nicely and fervently as I could I said "No, Senor, No!" (My ghetto side did not come out as usual, because… this was an old man… but my loud teacher voice sure did.)

Then as quick as can be a younger guy came (later found out that he worked there and was just chilling) and started confronting the man. Molly slowly walks up not really sure what was happening. After a few words the younger guy struck the old man in the face and grabbed him by the hair and started to escort him out of the café. As the old man was being pushed down  the stairs  his head got banged in the meantime. Ouch! I felt bad for him but at the same time still perplexed and overwhelmed with what happened.

Molly was asked if she wanted to press charges…she looked at me and I said "no". So she offered grace up to him instead. Meanwhile Heather and I sat and prayed for him, his circumstances and his heart.

Everything was safe(we were defiantly being watched out for)…Molly and I got a free drink from it… and my afternoon ended up being full of conversation and God time.

Everything done,is in His timing and protection.

One of my first reactions of going to Panama was of pure excitement. It wasn't due to seeing the Panama Canal or any particular history that is linked to it. Sadly to say it is because of an addiction I call...Prison Break.

I only saw this show a few times back home (with Juliet and Jason) but once on the Race, there are Seasons of so many shows being passed around. My first was to finish Bones (up to Season 2), Ugly Betty, and re watch Season 7 of The Gilmore Girls. Then... Seth and Aaron had bought Prison Break. I started watching Season 1 in Africa and couldn't turn it off. Then Season 2 and parts of 3 passed by quickly. I just wrapped up the latest episode of 3 last week in Costa Rica.

The introduction to Panama comes in Season 3. I was exposed to tid bits of Panama City, and to some beautiful scenery of the Panama beaches. So, I was pretty siked about seeing the infamous country that Michael Schofield escapes to. 

As of yet, (we arrived on Sunday) I haven't seen anything that causes huge recollections from the show (I simple have forgotten) but I keep looking!  However it still has been a great experience. And I have had a chance to see some beautiful and interesting parts of Panama, along with seeing the Panama Canal.

Panama is a country that the World Race hasn't been before. Our September Squad is pioneering it. A group of four went ahead a couple of weeks ago to set up ministry contacts. Some have worked, others have fallen through, and new ones have popped up.  But among all of it God has been in it.

Over the past few months we have had more freedom to ask the Lord for guidance on where to go and be led individually and by teams on where to do ministry. Our team, Ignite was drawn collectively toward a ministry in the city, even though many of them wanted to be in a more rural area, we didn't have any particular contacts there.

The main ministry we wanted to work with fell through, so we got in contact with Carmen (who has been a reference to a lot of the ministries we are working with) and since midweek we have done tutoring at a local Christian school and today our team helped Carmen organize and clean her home before her family left on furlough to the states (I stayed back because I wasn't feeling well). It was a true blessing to her.

In the meantime a contact from Seth's father was introduced. It was a true answer to many of our desires. It is the opportunity to work with the Kuna tribe in the rural Northern part of Panama. They are the second smallest people group in the world.

So tomorrow we are off to work with this tribe. There is excitement of changing environments from the city (which I love) to the rural areas, which we haven't (Ignite) really been in on the Race. I am in anticipation of how we can serve and uplift the pastor, church, and people of that area.

And....we have some amazing visitors who will trek with us on some of this journey. Aaron's parents arrived on Wednesday.(Also his sister and brother in law...who joined us for a bit, but are also on a Holiday) They have been a tremendous blessing and have arrived with awesome goodies...Girl Scout cookies(yes! she found some),gum, granola bars, Cheez-its, Fig Newton's, and so much more... it feels like Christmas is never ending(which I am ok with). I am excited to be doing ministry with them and getting more insight about Aaron(you never know when you may need blackmail material j/k ;0.)

The trip to Panama may be short (we are leaving on June 10th) but the journey is just beginning. I love thatI can never determine how God will work things out. If we seek, pray and listen, He always seems to provide ways for us even in the last hours.

Please lift us up in your prayers for safety, positive attitudes, Christ like eyes, servant hearts and spirits that are obedient and open to His leading.

Until then...hello and goodbye from Panama!

Back in the Saddle Again

 Many things have been put on hold for a while, especially since this unusual year of traveling has occurred. My routines have been altered, changed, and erased. Extra curricular activities and interests have slightly been put on hold, my life has changed. Not better, or for the worse, just different.

 For example, schooling hasn't been apart of my life for a couple of years, since graduate school. I truly have to say that I don't really miss it. The learning and meeting new people, yes!…the exams, papers, and deadlines no! This year I have defiantly learned a lot. We World Racers are readers and we have amazing books circulating around. I have not been deprived of rich language, growing and self improvement knowledge, romance, adventure, or suspense which comes along with immersing oneself into a great novel.

 So, I can truly say I was surprised when I had the desire to join others in the venture of taking Spanish classes from a Language School in Costa Rica. I had a tremendous desire and peace to take it.

Mind you, I had never taken Spanish before, except for the quick mini lessons I had learned from Sesame Street. And the haunting experience of trying to learn Portuguese 9 yrs ago while living in Brazil seems to negatively surface to my memories. I just could not grasp it; maybe it was the circumstances, my youth (23yrs), or lack of true motivation and desire. Whatever the reason, languages are not my forte.

As of late though, I had the feeling that learning Spanish wouldn't be so bad, probably because of my team. Aaron our dubbed "Mexican" American, and all the others who have taken it somewhat throughout their lives were painting an excitement and desire for this language among our team. They could not wait to use their Spanish and get emerged into it as we entered into Central America.

I guess I joined in on the bandwagon because before long I was taking an entrance test, and paying school fees.  I had nothing to test…no real prior knowledge …so it was pretty fast and harmless…the testing part not the paying part. J

The school itself was amazing! The peaceful environment, colorful and homey surroundings created a welcoming atmosphere.  Epifania, I found out later was family owned and the staff was all Christians…no wonder the peace and comfort.                        

I had nothing to fear…except not understanding anything I was hearing!

It ended up being one of my most positive experiences. My teachers were great. They were filled with creative teaching, hands on games and much, much patience.

 Our mornings from 8:30 -10:15 were filled with vocabulary and grammar.  Even though I had to start from scratch and were among 4 others that had a pretty good Spanish base, I did ok.  Alejandra taught with clarity, creativity, and much repetition through practice. Everyone would sense my looks if I appeared confused, lost or overwhelmed and would jump in to help clarify. But the verbs kept coming…and I kept learning…and they became pretty impressed by my status of sentences and somewhat (not always correct) pronunciation… I was encouraged and kept going…and passed with my class unto the next level, which is a miracle in itself.

Then the snacks began; delicious fruits from Costa Rica. Mmmm good! This was a great break for my mind to rest.  Even though I willingly jumped back into the saddle of learning, my brain still had a lot of catching up to do. J And sweet fruit defiantly helped with the stimulation!

From 10:30-12:15 was conversation. This time was very interactive. Our first week with Zeidy was filled with games, matching, and learning all kinds of vocabulary words. The second week was Jazhel.  It was filled with all sorts of conversation ranging from relationships, nutrition, dancing, and other very fun varieties of talk. Her hand gestures, repetitive word usage and mix of Spanglish (English and Spanish) helped tremendously. We found ourselves falling over in laughter and responding with vigor and interest. For me my Spanish understanding (not necessarily talking) increased greatly over that time.

One of the best highlights of the week was our dance lessons on Friday, in between the grammar and conversation. It was a hoot! I came out experiencing the Salsa, Meringue, and other Latin dances. It was as if I was in an aerobic class, and I came out sweatier than when I'm running. So …my exercise for the day was checked off.

Our last class fell on Molly's birthday. We learned, danced, and then conversed while we made cookie dough. The recipe, ingredients, and instructions were all in Spanish. It was so fun and delicious! That is my type of hands on learning.

My experience over these last two weeks was filled with so much knowledge and many emotions. I felt affirmed, encouraged, over stimulated, over whelmed, frustrated and confused. I realized I should have taken a foreign language when I first started teaching. I learned and experienced so much in those two weeks which brought much insight and understanding into how "my students" learned and often times felt.

The Race has interrupted my "normal "routines of life but also introduced me to multiple opportunities I would never have encountered.  And for that I am grateful. Some routines however defiantly don't change…even in other countries. I still found myself finishing my homework on the way there (on the bus).But, it got done correctly and on time. REALLY, that's what matters, right?

going...is sometimes the easier part. walking in obedience and wondering whether you meet someone and will hear the voice of God, is the scary and uncertain part.

a few weeks ago...our ministry for the day...going and asking the Lord (ATL) to guide you to a place, and a person/s. all the while listening for His leading of words of love and prophecy.

the five of us with the vision of the city jumped on a bus and headed toward the square. for me, this was a timed filled with prayer and gladness. prayer first, that we will meet people to speak life into or a get a specific focus to pray on and not wander around aimlessly; glad because two of the gals could speak spanish...at least  good enough to get around and speak a somewhat coherent conversation. with them i felt much better equipped to speak to the people, much better than my hola.

so with great expectations of loving on the costa rican people, we prayed, split into two groups and were off. we found ourselves wandering around to find the central part of the city, stopping to take pictures and enjoying the view. i glanced at a street solicitor and saw him being pursued by the police when I heard the words...

"do you speak english?"

 we found ourselves being introduced to an american, a guy from california who was extremely excited to meet someone who spoke english, (I know the feeling).

from that point on we learned that ronnie had been traveling around for about a week, ran out of money, and was in the recovering stage of being shot in the leg back home(explaining the cane that he had).with extreme humility he asked for money or something to eat. with a glance between the three of us and with no hesitation (we knew he was "the person") we said "no problem" and walked to the nearest pizza hut.

after ordering, and with polite and sincere thanks, ronnie was ready to be dismissed. but God wasn't finished with him yet. in my spirit i knew that there was more. "can we sit and chat a bit?" were the words that proceeded out of my mouth.

among the next ten minutes came a time of reassurance of God's love for ronnie, and other words and prayers of covering over his life. this was truly a man that the Lord was pursuing and inviting him into a closer connection with. he seemed receptive and his spirit was open to the words from God.

i left there grateful that God was able to use us. i was also dumbfounded and amused that with thousands of miles away from america he used us to speak love and truth to someone from the u.s.a. we came here to love and serve on the people of costa rica and God had us at that particular time and place speak and provide for an american brother.

everyday i am blown away by God using me. regardless of where i am, whether in america or traveling around the world i am called to be open to love, speak truth and affirmation from the Lord. that is missions: being available and open to God's leading and instruction by pouring into people and striving to love them with the openness and sincerity God asks us to. whether we have a corporate, manual or labeled "missionary " position we are all doing the thing that we were asked to do. we just need to all do it with the same obedience, genuine love, openness and fortitude.

When the Lord first told me to fast and pray for men it felt so definite and clear. Then the idea just began to unfold including calling all women from all over the world to participate.

What I never realized was the true impact that it would bring. First, I have been so encouraged from the response of the women, my dear sisters in Christ. The responses to me and on my blog just confirm the purity of hearts, humbleness and true support for the men in our lives and of the world.

Thank you so much for your support and participation. I know many of you sent the word on to other women and I thank you so much for believing in this vision and calling.

Second of all, I wasn't expecting response of any, from the men that we were interceding for.  However, I received two emails that expressed such gratitude and complete answer to prayer. Both of them had a thankful heart for the acknowledgement of the attacks on their lives, for prayer and our repentance. This had been something that they have been waiting and praying for. This alone brought much support and true affirmation of what the Lord was calling us too. Thank you guys!

The Day of Impact for me in Costa Rica was great. I felt the Lord was calling me to fast breakfast and lunch and then break it with dinner. He also gave the vision to have our squad of girls pray in the morning and then in the evening covering our six squad guys in prayer and blessings.

The prayer was amazing! We started this time with praising God with truth of His character and also for the men that He created. This time was truly impactful and was so essential in getting our hearts pure and in tune to His Spirit. Then we paired up and sat before the Lord and asked Him to reveal the things we needed to repent for on behalf of the men. Wow! This was impactful for me to realize the things that I may have done that have offended my true brothers (Mark, Eric and Dennis) and other guys that are in my life. It was such freedom to lay them before God, my Father, and know that it is done and forgiven. My heart was light and full of awareness of how to be deliberate in honoring them in different ways. We then came back as a whole group(about 16)held hands, and finished the time with lifting up  specific prayer coverings over fathers, brothers, nephews, uncles, friends, future husbands, and general prayers over all men.

After over an hour the time was blessed and ended. It was a great beginning to the day that was to bring much prayer and uplifting of those men we truly love and respect.

The evening prayer was very special. I, along with a couple of the other gals was able to share wonderful testimonies of support that they received from both men and woman about the day.

We then circled around our guys, (the brave, warrior, serving brothers) who have become our family over these months. We covered them in prayer, bound up things over their lives, proclaimed protection and blessings over them. It was truly a night of unconditional love for them.

I know that on the day of April 30^th we as prayer warriors made an impact. The heart of God was blessed for our obedience and heart to intercede for His sons. We truly did storm the gates of Heaven and stirred up the gates of Hell. The Enemy is not happy to see this type of interceding and the outcome that it will produce. Please continue to cover the men we love in prayer.

One of the awareness's that many of us woman had was that we don't lift up the generation of boys and men often enough. We were convicted and encouraged to do so on a more regular basis. I know that there is going to be changes and answered prayers to our interceding. Let this day be only the spark to a wild fire that will continue.

I know the positive responses I have had thus far really encouraged me, so if you have a testimony of this day to share please post them on this blog. I know that these stories are a testament of God's goodness, power and love. And I know that sharing the impact of this day will bring even more confirmation of the power it had.

So sisters, please be blessed! encouraged! and know that your are loved! and appreciated!

Again, thanks for your love and support!