As I sit here on a roof top, on a mountain, overlooking the city of Medellin, drinking my Colombian coffee, I can’t help but be in awe of God’s creation.
I have been praying for a while now that God would give me a heart for the Colombians. I didn’t really know what it would look like or how I could show them God’s love, but I trusted in Him to deliver, and He did in bigger ways than expected!
In our first day of ministry here in Medellin, Colombia we did more than I could imagined. I had the idea that we may be eased into things, but I’m so thankful God is greater than my ideas. We were invited to go on the radio and speak our testimony to listeners all across the city and some cities throughout the state; what an incredible experience that was. I was nervous beyond believe, but pushed through the fear and allowed God to show up.
Then as we traveled to our next location we took advantage of the opportunity on the bus (also described as a rollercoaster, HOLD ON!!) to share our testimonies! God gave me a steady voice, an amazing teammate to translate, and a clear message to send. My whole team was able to share with those on the bus and then later we prayed with people.
For the first time ever I was evangelizing without even knowing it, and yet it wasn’t over. Here in Colombia the rate their communities from a 6 to 1; 6 being the highest, wealthy and a lot of security, and 1 being the poorest. We had only been in 4’s or 5’s until God led us to a 1. As we walked around praying, lots of opportunities came up to share our testimonies and to pray with people. It is very easy to grab people’s attention when you’re known as a gringa.
Towards the end, we were walking up what felt like a mountain, mainly because it was, but also because spiritually we were being stretched like never before. As we reach the top of this ‘hill’ we go into this heavily covered area, surrounded by trees. Unknown to us we were walking into a heavily used drug area, many people don’t go up there because they don’t want to be associated with them and because of fear. As they gathered around us I was expecting to feel scared and a stranger, and yet they welcomed us in with a desire to hear our story and God took all my fear away.
As I stood in the middle of about 20 drug addicts and alcoholics, looking into the eyes of lifelessness and pain, my heart just broke. Knowing that my turn was coming up to share my testimony I prayed about what I should share; I knew we have had completely different life styles and completely different stories, but we have the same enemy. I have found that every time I share my testimony God highlights certain points. At this point I felt God wanting me to share my battle with my thoughts. I shared the 3 main lies that I deal with majority of the time; that I am not beautiful, that I am unworthy of His love, and that I am disgusting. Before I shared what the Holy Spirit brought to mind about my testimony, He showed me truth like I’ve never felt before.
For a few weeks now I have been more self-conscious of my weight and the way my body looks than usual. It has welcomed in a lot of self-hatred and questioning of why God made me the way He did. I have had a lot of self-condemnation with the fact that I’m supposed to shine God’s love on these people in these dark places, and yet leaving home I didn’t feel ready. I didn’t feel like I had soaked enough in the truth to overcome the lies, I felt like I hadn’t marinated in God’s truth and love long enough to produce something with much flavor.
Nevertheless, I had committed to showing up anyways.
In the moment surrounded by the lows of the lows I was not only overcome with love for them, but I was filled with love for myself. I had a self-confidence like I have never felt before. A love and broken heart for complete strangers with the desire to share my hardships and know, actually know in my heart, that God could use my story to impact those who have it much worse than me. I truly felt beautiful and rooted in His love in a way that changed my life, and it was only day one of ministry.
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” Isaiah 61:7
The thing that keeps coming to mind as I look at the days ahead of me is, pray with expectancy.
No limits
No Fear
Know God
God uses us where we are now, not where we should be. He can use someone like me who had it good growing up, with parents that loved me and cared for me, to help those who have been abandoned by their parents, and using drugs since they were 8 years old.
Small updates:
We are being spoiled by our ministry host!! The pastors name is William and his wife’s name is Christina. Christina is a wonderful cook! Mucho Gusto!! They have 4 boys. They work so hard and have some much to offer! Keep them in your prayers.
I’ve been trying to learn Spanish.. pray for me!
We have the day off tomorrow, Lunes (Monday) but before we go exploring we are visiting a couple people at the hospital. Be praying that the Spirit leads us and that God brings healing! We are visiting a woman that was told they can’t operate anymore and that she won’t live long, BUT we have a God that is the ultimate Physician. We are also visiting a woman that has been in a coma since the middle of December, be praying she wakes up!
We will hopefully be going into the prison this week if the permits get passed, so be praying for God to open the gates!
ALSO.. We are preforming a skit.. yes I said a skit. We are preforming in the a neighborhood of kids and anyone who will watch. We have been having rehearsal, they are pretty strict on us but we are getting the hang of it. We are preforming Lifehouse, Everything on Saturday and maybe another later on. God is really taking us out of our comfort zones.. He’s funny that way.
Love you all so much!! Thank you all who are a part of this journey with me! These are your fruits as well!
You still can be a part of this journey and the blessing that will come! Donate here on my blog!
