LIfe in Colombia

A question I've been asking myself since I got back is:
How can we go to other countries to share the gospel and our testimonys but when we get back to the states we aren't as confident or we just don't think its as important?

WE have people here who need Jesus just as bad as the person we lead to Christ in another country. I don't know but I've been super convicted about that since I've been back. I don't want this fire to just burn out because I'm comfortable again I want the fire to burn like never before. Just my two cents that Gods been working in me about.

Goodness where do I start with life for the past month! I spent 13 days in Armania area of Colombia and the last 11 days in Chocco area. EAch place had its pros and cons!

Armania area we were still pretty comfortable because we stayed at a nice place and then ride the bus where ever we were heading that day. We went into so many schools to give the book of hope there. I loved doing dramas with my team and loving on kids for the time! Armania has a great climate because you are surrounded by mountains! I would sit outside on the balcony at night and just have God time and I would take a blanket or wear a sweat shirt! Our days were super long in Armania...The first day we started at 5 am and ended around 6pm. Talk about being tired! Some days were 6am to 9pm. God gave each of the strength that was needed! We worked with awesome pastors during the 13 days, each so loving and wanted to bless us when we came to bless them. It was hard leaving that area but God comforted me by knowing that they had awesome pastors to lead them!

Chocco is a different story. I cry everyday a little because I miss these kids. It is the poorest state in the country of Colombia. You have kids at age 7 taking care of their younger siblings, can you imagine? We stayed in Quibdo the first 6 days and were able to get into a few schools then did street ministry. I loved the street ministry because i was able to actually interact alot more with the kids. What broke my heart was one day of street ministry I was speaking to the kids and looked down and saw a kid eating dirt. How selfish am I? He was eating dirt! We are spoiled here Americans!!!!! One place we stayed at in Chocco was at a pastors house and my goodness we didnt have a bit of airflow at all! It was all concrete and 100 degrees at night! It was misirable but then you realize yu are their furthering the kingdom of God! So it helped a little!
we were able to float on the river for the last three days. This is where I get choked up alot! I had 6 or so kids that I just fell in love with! They were waiting on us when we got to the bank of the river. They were all siblings and had nothing. I just played and loved on them for the few days I was with them. I gave one little boy my tennis shoes and he had never had a pair in his life. He started to cry just thanking me. I was like wow! I would probably do anything to be playing with those kids right now! I realized all they need is just to be loved and held. But me typing all this out does not do justice of what this trip was!
We ate some nasty food :) I had to suck a fish head gag me right now and let me throw up haha!! I didn't feel too well after that one. We had this nasty salted cheese and with this cheese you had to look at the women who prepared it and have a big SMILE on your face acting like you like it. Most of us tried so hard to but our contacts could tell we were having a hard time with it! I think we only had salted cheese a few more times after that. I gag thinking about it right now! But for the most part we were blessed by the foods and God gave us the strength to eat it. Well God gave Spencer the strength to eat most of my food plus his, thanks brother!!!


this was a life changing trip for me. I learned alot about trusting in God and not others. Realizing justhow selfish I really am. I have everything plus more..all they have is stuff they need and some don't even have that. They get by with what they can have. Even if its just one meal a day! Think ab not having enough money to feed your family. people would work for 3 american dollars a day....i can spend 50 dollars easy in one day. It just really gets me how much we have and dont need! It was just a good wake up call for me!

Blogger: A Beautiful Offering - Edit Post "Are WE Ready???"

Blogger: A Beautiful Offering - Edit Post "Are WE Ready???"

Are WE Ready???

!!! How hard are we really going out there and sharing our faith?? I was blown away last night by a high school student whose in the 10th grade! Shes changed her life dramatically and has lost alot of friends because of her new Faith! As she shared with me about how hard it is to lose her friends, she still was able to find the JOY to see that she could make a difference in their lives. Guys this is a high school student who is giving up EVERYTHING to fully seek God and His kingdom. I know that I wish I was like her in High School but I definitely was trying to be the cool kid at school. We can have this passion that she has to give up EVERYTHING and fully seek God! We need to have the passion she does to win the high schools, our families, our friends, the kids EVERYONE!! We are raising the generation that many people say will fail to lead the churches but this is a generation that will CHANGE THE WORLD!!! So the question to us all including myself..ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU GOING TO LET A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER DIE AND GO TO HELL? Are you going to step it up?? Rise up guys

Following in the Footsteps of My Hero

Alot of us can say that we have a hero or someone who has impacted your life dramatically.I was thinking yesterday about my papa whose 84 and the impact he's had on my life throughout the years. He was a Baptist preacher for over 50 years a man who loves God and his family. As I was growing up he had already retired as a pastor, but always had the fun bible stories to tell us. I remember always looking to my papa for the answers and would crawl in his lap and ask him questions about Jesus. Papa was always excited to tell us the stories or answer our questions. No matter the time of day or where we were he would always be willing to share Jesus with someone or talk to us about Him.
One specific time in my life I remember, I was around 12 or 13 , he was driving his blue Camry and course we were talking about Jesus! He said Whitney God has called you to minister to kids and you need to keep that focus. I remember thinking that's cool, but I want to be a volleyball coach and teach health. He always told me I was a special kid who was going to do extraordinary things with my life, little did I know HE WAS RIGHT! God really used my Papa in my life to show me truth and tell me I have a purpose with ministry. I always thought I would live an ordinary life with going to college, being a volleyball coach and living the "normal life" but God definitely has shown me my calling and purpose with KIDS! It goes back to God speaking through my Papa at a young age telling me I wasn't going to be apart of the "norm", I was going to do something amazing in ministry. I am now seeing it all play as a movie right before my eyes! I thank God for the Papa that I have, who has poured the love of Jesus into my life for 22 years now. He's a mighty man of God who is still seeking Him today.
Papa is now living in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. The cool thing is he still goes around talking to people about Jesus. Every Thursday night my mom will go up there to sit with him for church. Some weeks he trys to teach even if its scattered and everywhere he still manages to get thru. He is a man that has changed my life and many others! I am so thankful he played such a vital role in my life and has given me more conformation to where I am today!!

Bumps In The Road

Everyday is a new day! We may have a few days that go by when we're just in a funk. But when we're in that funk we can choose how to handle it! WE can either choose the Joy of the Lord or be consumed by the enemy. Over the past few days I was in a funk, not wanting to deal with anything or anybody. I was letting everything around me take over my emotions. I came to realize the only way of overcoming it was to speak the word of God over myself and believe the truth of God. So no matter the circumstances going on CHOOSE JOY! TRUST GOD!

ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE BEEN THRU DO NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE!!!

God will heal your scars and make them beautiful!

Children entering the Kingdom of God!

First Wednesday was unbelievable! I had a little 9 year old girl jumping, dancing, and praising the Lord with me tonight. She would cuddle he watched me, I would glance down to see how she was, and was in awe of her innocent little heart singing to God. I see what God sees when he watches children and the joy He receives from it. We then had communion and I asked if she goes and she said no. So I proceed to get the elements and then I feel a tap from Rebecca, I lean down and ask what it is. She asks me what it meant to have Jesus. We sat down with the loudness going on, I explain what Jesus did on the cross for REBECCA and how he forgives us and LOVES us. I ask her if she understands, she shakes her head YES, then I ask if she wants to ask Jesus into her heart. With a smile on Rebecca's face she shakes her head YES. I was filled with joy right then. I prayed with her and had her repeat a little prayer after me. She just hugged me as I had tears of joy run down my face. The last song I grabbed Rebecca and said we are going to jump and dance like crazy for Jesus. We definitely were up in the front doing that! Right after service she said can we go tell my daddy what I did, I exclaimed YES YES, lets do it NOW!! Her dad had tears of joy also. What a glorious picture of Gods little children!! I give God the glory for all the things He has done in me and thru me! I find joy in my passion for children and excited to see what my next step it! Come on God show up!!!!

Forgiveness

So many of us hold onto unforgiveness for a long time. Some a day, a week, a month, and even YEARS! This has definitely been a process for me. I was one of the ones that have held onto things for years, since childhood even! I had unexplained bitterness, anger, emotional breakdowns until i fully gave God the chance to take all control and aspects of my life. I no longer have the hurt, pain, guilt, shame from the unforgivenes that I once held onto. This was a difficult process but now I live in complete freedom!
Look into your life at the unforgiveness you may have. Allow God to work in you and set you free! Seek counselor from a friend, mentor, counselor that will stand in the gap for you in time of need!