Greetings from Colombia!!!
Quick update on what’s been going on.
So, we were scheduled to fly out of Colombia and move on to our next country on September 7th, but there was a mix up with flight information. We’re all still here in Cartagena, Colombia and we’re actually flying out tomorrow instead!
But, who says God doesn’t work through the complications and mix-ups in life?! Shoot. I’d dare to even say He sets up the bumps in the road on purpose. I mean, we had no intentions of staying in Colombia another week, but this weekend I’ve come to see why it was necessary and imperative for our squad to be here for a little longer. Are you ready for some cool moments from the past couple of days?
Let’s go.
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Saturday night one of my squadmates, Eric, was praying and felt like we should go and worship at the plaza, which is basically like the downtown/tourist area here in Cartagena. So, we grabbed a guitar, picked out some songs, and a group of us headed out with no agenda other than to have a time of worship and be open to what the Lord had.
We began singing and it drew some people in. At one point during the night, a family of five approached us and the father asked us if we were Christians. We responded with a yes, and he said his whole family was as well! We began talking with him, and it turns out he’s a pastor here in Cartagena! His name is Jorge and he was so excited as we talked with him.
Before we knew it, his son grabbed the guitar and his three kids began singing for us! It was awesome. After chatting with him for a bit and telling him who we were and why we decided to come out to the plaza and worship, he told us how he had been sitting at home with his family and he had no plans of going out that night, but something in him prompted him to take a walk with his family. He made them all get ready and said his kids even got upset with him because they didn’t want to go. (They chuckled and nodded because it was true). However, God CLEARLY set this up so that we would meet this family. That blows my mind. And, it gets better.
Jorge invited us to his church the following morning. He was encouraged by our story and faith and that at such a young age we were living boldly for the Lord. He told us to come and sing a couple songs and then bring the Word. Like… He was so serious about it too.
Let me just say, if I were in this same position a couple months ago, I would’ve been terrified and would’ve probably backed down from the offer.
But nowadays, these God encounters and opportunities make me excited and I don’t even think twice about saying yes.
This is the new normal.
We were excited and we told him we would be there. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past month, it’s that you must be prepared for ANYTHING.
So, Sunday morning a group of 8 of us headed to church. We prepared a couple songs and Eric was going to bring the Word. Up until this point, I had assumed that Tiara (another squadmate) would be translating for Eric because she’s also a Spanish speaker and they are on the same team. However, moments before the message, she came up to me and asked me if I would be willing to translate.
AHHHHHH. Remember the whole “be prepared for anything” thing I was just talking about?
Yes. I meant it.
After trying to find excuses to say no, I told her I would. Honestly, translating in Spanish is kind of intimidating for me still. But, I know that the only way to get better is by being bold enough to do it. And, it’s something I’ll need to get used to because I’ve got 10 more months here in South America.
Once again, this is the new normal.
The service was great and I felt a sense of home being there. It was an honor to participate in a church service here in Colombia. And to think that it all started with just the simple act of obeying the voice of the Lord and doing some worship on a Saturday night in the plaza… Like what?! God is so cool.
Here we are: Corrie, Alex, Me, Eric, Santiago (one of the pastor’s sons), Susan, Morgan, and Patrick. (Not pictured: Tiara, who by the way has an INCREDIBLE story of someone she met at the plaza. I’ll let her be the one to share that story.)
Sunday morning was a blessing and we decided to do worship at the plaza again Sunday night. It was a fun time and once again people were drawn in. There was a couple that came and sat next to me and they were Christians as well. The guy expressed how even though he didn’t understand the lyrics, he could still sense the presence of God. He ended up singing a couple songs on the guitar and honestly, it was so fun.
These stories may seem small, but if I’m being completely honest, I’ve found so much joy in the Lord during the past couple of days. I tend to overcomplicate prayer and listening to God sometimes because I feel like He’s always trying to ask me to do some crazy, radical thing that’s completely out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I don’t even press into Him because I already know my answer will be “no” to whatever He might ask me to do.
Uhh…That is so wrong! And, it’s fear.
However, this weekend, God’s been teaching me that it’s not as complicated as I think it is.
I mean, Eric felt God tell him we should worship at the plaza… so we did.
Jorge felt the urge to take a walk on the plaza with his family that night… so they did.
What was the result? A kingdom connection – because with God there are no coincidences.
This is the new normal. This is my new normal.
I’m learning that these God encounters and moments aren’t just stories for other people to tell. These are the moments I can live through EVERY day. It’s not rocket science. It’s simple. Are you willing to be open for what God has for you? Have you asked Him today what He has for you? It might not be as complicated as you think.
A month has gone by and I’m still myself, but I feel like I’m becoming a better version of myself.
My heart is changing.
My passion for the Lord is growing.
And my love for people is increasing.
Month two: I’m ready for you.
Xo
