Goerillas,camps,and fences

Hello from Bogota, Colombia!

    Wow! I know it has been a while since i have been able to update you personally on how i am doing, but i really want to now!
  So far, it has been a journey! From the time that i set foot in South Africa i hit the groun running. I was busy taking in a new culture, meeting new people, and learning things about God and experiencing things about Him that i never have before.
After taking flight in March and landing closer to home in South America, i have definitely been taken on a trip. In our first ciuntry, Brazil, God began to show me so much about "it is more blessed to give than to receive." In theory, this sounds greatand inspiring, but when faced with God asking you to abide in this truth it can be near to torture. In a 2 bedroom house that echoed, had one bathroom, and had 14 people living in it, i was asked by God to exercise this. At first i thought i was giving of enough of myself to be willing to sleep on the concrere floor every night, to not eat as much and to give up some of my ideas of what our ministry should look like in Brazil... Hahaha but God said, "oh but wait tgere's more!" He asked me to give up sleep, ideal quiet time environments, food, time, relationships, sometimes even laying down some of my passions too. Oh man, my pride was on the line. Time and time again I was challenged to lay down my selfish desires, deal with my heart in the matter and give for others. It was hard. Some failures and some victories, but many MANY opportunities for growth. Yes, indeed i was stretched.
  Now in Colombia, God has been doing an even bigger work in my heart. Before the begginning of the year God told me that He would take the "I dont feel like it" out of me. I think that has begun. We worked at a training facility for New Tribe Missions. My team had to reroute an already existing sewage system. This entailed a whole lot of digging, a massive amount of goopy mud (thanks to the rainy season) and long days of work resulting in tiredness. There were days i just didnt feel like it. I did not want to see that shovel at all. I did not want to get muddy all over again and get all wet and gross. But, in the  back of my mind, the words "it is more blessed to give than it is to receive rang." so, i worked. Sometimes maybe not out of wanting to, but simply out of obedience. I am glad to say that after a few days that obedience turned into work being a joy. As i worked i felt the joy of the Lord and began to see His heart for the place i was working and the people i was working with. I learned a lot, but i have so much further to go... So much further.
The good news is, God is so patient with me and is on a journey with me. He sees where He wants to take me, how he wants to change my heart, and He knows just how to get me there in His timing.  I have an anticipation and and expectation for what God is going to do. I only hope I am expecting, anticipating and dreaming big enough.