Hello, folks!
So, as I mentioned in my last post, my squad has safely arrived in Chile! We got here late on the night of the tenth and went straight into something called LDW. This looked like a few days spent together as a squad getting poured into by leadership and by each other. It was such a sweet time as we were all able to share stories of ministry with each other and talk about the way God has been moving among each of our individual teams in the ministries we were at in Ukraine.
After those few days each team set off for their own unique ministry. For our time in Chile, our team will be living with another team serving under the same ministry host. It has been such a crazy gift from God! During our last week in Chile I went out by myself to pray and really poured into the Father with questions. Asking things like, “How are you going to use this next month to stretch me? I feel so comfortable right now, so what does escaping my comfort zone look like?” The very next morning we found out we would be living with the other team, and I immediately knew this was the exact thing I had prayed for. I was clinging so tightly to my team, my people. I love them with all my heart and I feared any dynamic that might change what we had. Crazy how close you can get to people in such a short time. Regardless of my concerns, my Father knew best and this last week and a half with the other team has been so good!
Ministry this month has been an area that I have been growing a lot in. Our team has been split up again, working at different schools during the day. Unlike last month in Ukraine, my group of three has hardly been expected to teach, but when we have it’s been a spur of the moment, “Teach the genitive plural to kids who can hardly say ‘How are you’ for an hour and a half.” Mostly, we have been building friendships with the kids behind the scenes and just taking the time to love on them and be a ray of Christ in their lives.
The ministry has been good, don’t get me wrong, but over the past week I have felt the Father calling me to be more intentional with the opportunities I have outside of ministry hours. I prayed for a day on what that looked like, and He in turn clearly told me to pray over people on the streets. Just anyone about whom the Spirit says, “Colby, stop. Look. That’s my child too.” That’s been a stretch. For one, I hate just talking to people. Back home, I was the friend that you would have to holler at in the grocery store if you met me by happenstance in your day. I’m not an interruptible person at all. I’m about my business. Regardless, this is what the Spirit told me to do so, I was at a bit of a paradox between the two wills in me (mine and God’s). This last week has been so sweet! Each time we walk back from the school or just out and about anywhere, God has been faithful to bring people across my path. I’ve had more good conversations (thanks to google translate) and have interceded for more people in the past week than in a long time and it’s been due to Gods faithful provision of opportunities!
The schools have been great. Last week was the presidential election down here, so things got riled! Every day there was about an hour and a half of games, food, and loud music for the kids and staff. Definitely not much learning going on then, but man was it fun! This week has been more down to business, but it has still been such a thrill getting to hang out with the kids. The people down here are so friendly. They seem to range in extremes from the nicest people you’d ever want to meet to, “that psychoswatch is about to jump me,” but most of them range in the prior.
Here are some pictures to really bring things home!
This crew is the best! Whenever I pulled out my phone to use Translate, they all went straight for the selfie camera. (I know.. killer lighting.)
The girl on the right corner of the first picture is named Amber. Her and I got close right off the bat when I I walked into the class and said, “My name is Colby!” She quickly responded with, “Hello, Colby! My name is Amber!” Such a sweet girl! She loves to draw flowers, so that’s where the awesome art above came from.
Emma radiates love and joy and hugs into every inch of the know universe. I can’t explain how she changes the atmosphere she is in, but as soon as she’s on the scene, everyone knows there is a safe place to be at and to get all the hugs from. The above picture shows that beautifully.
To show how funny these kids are. Poor dude above got caught napping in class. His friends behind him decided what a funny joke it would be to model him after Little Cindy Lou Who this holiday season. Such a fun time of laughs with these kids!
Im tall, folks. I’ve always been. When walking through a school of young Chilean children I am especially tall. But that’s okay, because sometimes it comes in handy. Takes this for instance. I was out playing some fooseball when out of nowhere four distraught kids come and pull me by the hand. When I got in the room, I saw the source of their distress as three sticky toys were completely squashed to the ceiling far above their heads. I knew this height had some use!
Alec and I lounging, because this Chilean sun is a nice welcome after the Ukrainian frost.
Community this month has been amazing! Like I said above, I was a little anxious about this change (I wanted nothing to do with it) but God has been so faithful to give me exactly what I need to grow in Him. Love these folks, and the rest of the Alpert Fan Club!
”I love you, Father! Thank you for seasons of growth. Though things may be uncomfortable in the moment, may my life produce much fruit under your care. I trust you. You have been so, so good to me!”
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May God give us a spirit of thankfulness that carries on to the rest of this holiday season.
Through His abounding grace,
Colby
