Finding LIFE!

What were we made for anyways?  To have LIFE, I tell you!   However “life” is a word that we just throw around.  I submit that you can live...yet, have no life at all.  Andrew Palau is the son of evangelist Luis Palau, and he decided he wanted nothing to do with God.  He pursued alcohol, vandalism, and pleasure and remembers one day that God revealed to him that it was garbage.  He was spending his life on things that brought him death. (Focus on the Family).

Sometimes I find myself in conversations that go something like this:

Joe is drinking again. 

Jane left her husband for another man. 

Jack is going back to school and applying for another job. 

Joan is going to another church.

Janay has a new girlfriend

... you get the idea. 

We then discuss why they are still wandering and I find myself wondering what these people are actually pursuing.  It seems that they find pleasure in these things--and some of them aren’t bad things in and of themselves--but I suspect that they think that they will find life at the end of their pursuits-the happiness they’ve been seeking.   The “happily ever after” that the world tells us can be had.

The answer to highschool dropouts isn't better schools and more funding.  The answer to absentee parents isn't more classes.  The answer to broken families isn't more vacations, date nights, and romance.  The answer to addiction isn't more programs or medication.  The answer to cut down on crime isn't more education or harder sentences. Don't get me wrong, these things can be good things.  But they're a resource not a solution.  They don't fill that inner hole and ache.  They might address some of the symptoms but dont cure the disease.  I'm convinced that the answer to the problems in our society are only remedied by finding life just where it's made to be found.
We were made to have a relationship with our creator.  Chris Tomlin says it really nicely in his song, "Born that we may have life".  Try to think about a perfect holy just God who would send His innocent baby to a world that He already knew would mistreat, reject and ultimately kill. BUT He knew that was the only way we would ever find true life.

Lets think about what our Creator said.  The one who made us in love and with a purpose states that our sin brings death!  The first sin by Adam and Eve resulted in cursed ground, physical death (eventually) and a separation from God.  They were removed from the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17, 3:19, 23, 24). This death may be an immediate physical death, but more often it results first in a broken relationship.  I remember the hurt look on my mom’s face, or the cries from a younger sister when I did something hurtful.  An apology, note, or gift didn’t undo what I had done.  Our actions affect the harmony in a relationship.  When we look at God’s promise to His people, He says, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live...by loving the Lord your God by obeying His voice and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days...” (Deut 31:19-20). God provided the law for man to follow to be pleasing to Him, but it revealed man’s need for a savior.  He couldn’t keep the law and instead kept turning to idols, or his own efforts to live a good life.  So God provided a solution to our situation.  He provided a Savior.  His only son who was able to live a perfect life pleasing to God.  And by His death he paid the penalty for our sins, and provided a way for us to find life! In

Jesus said, “I am come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” John 10:10. 

Christ’s death didn’t just save us from an eternity in hell as punishment for our sins--which is what we deserved, but He died so we might have LIFE!

“...you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life, inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood...the blood of Christ”. I Peter 1:18-19

“And He Himself [Jesus] bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to rightesousness, for by His wounds you were healed.” 2 Peter 2:24

This life is found in Christ Jesus. Sometimes I think about Jesus and the crazy things He said.  Some people left Him because they just didn’t get it.  One time He asked the remaining disciples “ ‘You do not want to go away also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and come to know that You are the Holy One of God’ “. John 6:68-69.

There is no one else I would rather follow.  And despite my wandering heart that looks for life in all the wrong places, and a world that tells us that life can be found in all the wrong places I know and have seen that my God is The One who has the words of life.  And I truly have never felt more alive than when I am following Him. I pray that those of you who are seeking life in all the wrong places will seek for life from the giver and sustainer of life. 

1673 Miles

I did it!  Longest solo road-trip ever-but I made it with the most stops possible to see friends!  It really is the best way to road trip! I’ve had plenty of bad hotel experiences that I would rather go a little farther (or shorter) to stay with people I know.  Plus it’s extra hang out time which leaves me feeling even more refreshed and happy! 

It was neat to stop back in all the places I’ve lived in the USA and some that I’ve just visited a lot.  Here’s what those four days meant to me. 

Stop 1 (Thursday morning):  Dallas Texas to see Nicole.  Nicole’s been one of the best friends I ever could have even dreamed up.  She’s spontaneous, hilarious, godly and able to help keep me on track (if you know me at all you know that this I need this so bad!).  She’s getting married to Joel in June and then they are planning to continue missionary training together. 

Stop 2 (Thursday night-Friday morning): Camdenton (“Roach”) at the Missionary training center.  I saw a bunch of great friends there and was able to sit in a folk catholicism class, communion/chapel, and my old discipleship group (this is a picture of all of us in December-now there's one more baby!). 

Stop 3: Chicago IL (Friday night-Saturday morning)  to see a few of my friends who I lived with in Bolivia.  So fun to see all that God’s continued to teach us from our time there FIVE years ago!! (*Can’t believe it’s gone by so fast). Matt & Elsa are now parents and Jen is now married!  Then i hopped over to the neighboring suburb of Evanston and saw Natalia who is a great friend of my little sister! 

Stop 4: Jackson MI (Saturday evening).  Had dinner with one of my favorite families in Michigan.  Scot was one of my teachers at the Bible school and his wife April became a really great friend.  There was another graduate from the Bible school who is now a missionary in Brasil and getting ready to teach literacy in the village.  It was so cool to hear about the next stips for me-and for Scot and April to see what they are a part of even though they are working as missionaries in Michigan they get to be a part of seeing lives changed in Brasil and around the world.  I’ve come to the conclusion that it takes a community to raise a missionary!  Then I got to see my Dean and her family! (This is Me & Martha last spring)

Stop 4: Detriot IL (Saturday night-early Sunday morning).  Bethany was another coworker of mine in Bolivia.  She since married Paul and all of us have been able to spend lots of time together.  They let me crash in their guest room frequently.  I got to meet their little sweetie who joined their family in December.

Stop 5: Camden Baptist Church (Sunday morning).  This is my home church and I’m so excited to spend a few months here.  It was a super full morning of catching up with friends and meeting new people.  Perfect way to end the road trip!  I’ll be staying with a lady from my church who has been so kind.  She didn’t even know me before yesterday other than over the phone and I’m so impressed that she would take a stranger into her home for 2.5 months! 

I know all you Texas folks are wondering, so the weather so far has been so nice.  I hear it might snow soon. :/  But I found an awesome running route with great smelling pine trees, calming rivers and ponds, and quiet neighborhoods.   

Favorite Roadtrip tunes:

*My Victory-Jimmy Needham

*Creere-Tercer Cielo

*Sparrow-Audrey Assad

*Almighty-Wayne Watson

*Life in Color-OneRepublic

*Celebrare to Amor-Jesus Adrian Romero

Thanks to everyone who fed me, gave me a place to sleep, encouraged me along the way, and those who made my time in Texas awesome! Y’all are amazing and unforgettable. 

And a HUGE thanks to Katie for letting me use her car! I'm unbelievably blessed. :)

The Movie!!!

Here's a video of the week-basically some pictures and video clips.   It was an incredible week, and as always, God continued to show me my need to depend on Him and the fact that in Him is the hope and peace that we ALL so desperately need.  Loved these songs, loved the scenery, love God's goodness.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaias 41:10 NVI

Asi que no temas, porque yo estoy contigo;

no te angusties, porque you soy tu Dios.

Te fortalecere y te ayudare; 

te sostendre con mi diestra victoriosa.

Isaias 41:10 Quechua

Ama manchakuychu, qanwanmi ñoqaqa kashani, 

ama pisipaychu, ñoqaqa Diosniykin kani,

ñoqan kallpachasqaykipas yanapasqaykipas, 

ñoqan hap'iykusqaykipas atipachisqaykipas, nispa.

In honor of Australia day: Anzac Biscuits

My friend Kate gave me this recipe when I was living in Bolivia so I could properly celebrate Australia day when I no longer lived near any australians!

ANZAC BISCUITS

1 c. rolled oats

1 c. plain flour

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. grated coconut

2 T. Golden Syrup

1/2 c. butter

1/2 t. baking soda

1 T. boiling water

pinch of salt.

Mix oats, flour, sugar and coconut together and set aside.  Melt syrup with butter.  Mix soda with boiling water and add to syrup/butter mixture. Then add to dry ingredients. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. 

You can get the Lyle's golden syrup at World Market (or maybe in the import section of other big grocery stores).

To Bolivia and back-forever changed.

This is Neymar.  His parents travelled with us-his dad was the bus driver! (*aren't bolivian babies just the cutest???!)

In case you hadn't heard-or if you wondered we all made it back from Bolivia.  Definitely a great time with some really neat folks.  I'll be posting things to the TEAM blog, so keep checking there for pictures, reflections from team members and maybe even a video or two...

I was so blessed by the group of young people who are excited to know the Lord and serve Him--even when they felt miserable or the work was less than glamourous.  The weather was much rainier than usual and so we had a smaller turnout (some kids walk very far, but due to rain and flooded rivers they couldn't make it).  But we definitely enjoyed the ones we did get to see!  I will write more soon! 

Here's our team. 

Before we loaded the bus for Potosi. 

During.  This was the last village we stayed in before showering!!!

After.  This is us at the airport with a few visitors from previous trips.  Eliana and her son Jesus travelled with us last year (far left), Edwin far left sitting on floor was my first patient ever, and Waldo (far left holding Jesus) is the dentist/clown that travelled with us for the first 4 trips. 

The few things I know for sure.

First: Good news.
I finally got in to see my doctor in Texas (just for any of you who might have been worried): She diagnosed me with Vasovagal Syncope and told me to monitor stress, sleep and avoid caffeine.  So relieved!  I was able to take blood work that I had completed here in Missouri which helped her to rule out other things.  So glad it didn't require an MRI or EKG, or any other expensive tests!  She gave me the okay to drive and encouraged me to KEEP RUNNING! :) You can imagine how happy I was!

Second: Recent lesson.
Over the past few months the fainting episodes have been a reminder to s-l-o-w  d-o-w-n.  You would think that would be a loud enough reminder, but besides physically slowing down I've been reminded that I need to rest emotionally too.  I've been reading through the  Old Testament and been noticing what happens when mankind in his own wisdom decides to hurry God's promises or plan along.  Think of Abraham and Sarah who thought surely God meant that Hagar being a surrogate would be the means God would use to provide the innumerable descendants that God had promised. Right? Nope.  Surely Rebekah needed to intercede to make sure that Jacob got the blessing-since that was what God had said, right? Nope. Then, God must have wanted Moses to deliver the Israelites by killing the Egyptians off? Wrong again.  The list goes on and on...  Why you might ask? Because God's deliverances and fulfillment of the promises were so much bigger.  He fulfilled His plan HIS way, and in so doing, received all the credit.  But the cool thing is that He used broken people to do it.  People that had made tragic errors at worst, embarrassing mistakes at best still got to be used by God to show the world that God is powerful and loving.  And in this study He's been reminding me that I need to stop and let Him be the one to guide me.  Lacking answers doesn't mean I have to work harder and faster to try to find answers and make decisions that seem to be the best way to accomplish His goal-that's what I default to.  But I'm convicted to rest in Him and wait.  I don't like waiting.  In case you haven't noticed, I don't think anyone does.  That's why we have fast food restaurants, online shopping, overnight shipping, urgent care centers, etc.  But that's what our great God calls us to, and He gives us a promise too.

Yet those who wait for the LORD

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary. 

Isaiah 40:30

Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD. 

Psalm 27:14

(Pic from here)

Plus it snowed, so we don't really venture out anyways...

Third: Thanksgiving.
Loved being home for Thanksgiving break.  This was probably the least structured break ever.  We played lots of games, had lots of fun, spent lots of time with family, and laughed a lot.  My familia rocks!
A girl on staff here, told me about a challenge she was given to be thankful for 1000 things.  I was challenged to start seeing the blessings and being thankful for them (more than just in November).  It really has given me a fresh perspective.  It's helped me to see things as they are: a gift.  I deserve n-o-t-h-i-n-g.  It's not like I've done anything great to deserve it.  God knows my evil heart, it's by His grace that there's anything good in me.  So besides the grace He's given me, He delights in pouring out His blessings on me.
A classmate reminded me too that we all have the potential to serve the Lord.  I, as a child who was given a lot of neat opportunities growing up, have the same potential to serve the Lord and honor Him here-and receive the highest honor imaginable (to hear "well done good and faithful servant") as someone who grew up in a remote village high in the cold mountains of Bolivia who shepherds sheep, has a 3rd grade education, two outfits, and a diet mostly consisting of potatoes, rice, and llama meat...if he has the opportunity to know God and trust in Jesus' gift for him; he can live his life every day in a manner pleasing to God and have that same high honor someday when he stands before God.  IF he gets the opportunity to hear and know God.
I didn't choose where I would be born, but I choose how I live my life today and every day.  So today I'm thankful for the GIFT of being born in the USA, for being taught  from childhood the love and grace of a just God who gifted us undeserved salvation from the penalty of my sins, for being given the opportunity to go to college, learn Spanish, travel to Bolivia, and get to go back there.  Who knows what the future holds; or even tomorrow for that matter. But today I'm glad for the reminder to be thankful and live my life as a proper response to grace. I've been given such great opportunities. Now what am I going to do with it?

Fourth. I gotta plane ticket!
Yes, this will be my 7th trip to Bolivia.  So what I do know is that I have a plane ticket.  I also know that there are 9 wonderful, adventurous other folks who are committed to traveling to Potosi to spend a week supporting local churches in Potosi along with Red Vida de Esperanza doctors Jorge (MD) and Waldo (DDS), and clown Carlos.  I'm so thrilled for the opportunities the LORD has given to travel back and forth to Bolivia and to be a part of this great ministry.  If you want to help send us, you can
1. PRAY-seriously we NEED you to do this for us-with us. Although we're going, we don't go alone.  We go with God (of course) and well carried by the prayers of faithful saints who take time to lift us up to the Father for safety, flexibility, teachability and for prepared hearts (in us and the bolivians).
2. PARTICIPATE. I mean you could go this year, if circumstances were just right--but I'd probably want to know about it pretty quickly so we can get visa stuff going.  But if you feel led to come along, by all means let me know.  We'll talk!
3. PAY- what? It just fit the pattern!  Yes, no one wants to talk about money, but it's a reality, okay? ;) It costs about $2500 per person, and we aren't rich.  :)  But God is, and sometimes he pricks the hearts of His people, and my experience is that His people are generous.  So if this is your spiritual gift and you feel the Lord prodding you to be a part of our team in this way you can send any checks to 10420 Norwalk Rd. Litchfield OH 44253.  Just designate it for our team, or a specific team member (meet them here).
4. PROVIDE- We are frequently asked to bring donations (find a list here) of things that are hard to get in Bolivia or are very expensive or you can go here to sponsor a student or paint a school this Christmas.  RVE does some similar things to a lot of bigger organizations you may have heard of.  It's like Samaritan's Purse meets Doctors without borders meets VBS meets coop selling handmade goods meets world vision meets...about 10 other organizations on a mini scale.  It's neat really.  Grassroots and so refreshing (and sometimes frustrating, let's be honest).  But I've never seen such love as these men have for the people they serve.  Sacrificing their own sleep, comfort and preferences because they long for these people to know the Gospel.  You can browse my blogs and find a lot of neat things about RVE-or you can just ask me!

My favorite Christmas Ideas!

 There are always so many ways to help and here are just a few:

This is our third go with Navidad en Bolivia. This year we have programs to sponsor kids for Christmas presents, school uniforms; supply seminary students with resources; paint a school; and provide hygiene items and school supplies for kids in rural communities of Potosi.  Check out this link and follow the tabs across the top for more info.   There are some pretty amazing artists down there! (*If you gift this on behalf of someone else, we will be sending out cards as well).

We also have a team going to Bolivia.  You can meet them HERE. On this blog you can also see testimonies from previous team members, see pictures of previous trips and teams and get more info if you are interested in going someday (required documents, etc). This will be my 7TH trip to Bolivia, and I am so excited to see what God has for us this time.  If you feel led to help cover team expenses and the projects we are hoping to help complete, let me know.

Thanks friends!  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.