Hola from Colombia! Blogging has been somewhat nonexistent during this season of squad leading. The squad has been challenged with writing a blog each week and for some reason it’s been two and a half months for me to get my first one out. And for that, I apologize. The Lord has been teaching me many things ranging from discipline to walking in boldness and confidence of being able to hear and discern His voice over all the other voices in my life. Here’s a short update about Colombia.
Well here we are in month 3! Peru and Ecuador were incredible months and I feel that Colombia will be no different. This month I am serving alongside Team Cascade as they work with Alex Rocha and his family in the city of Cartagena. We are staying in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city, dubbed San Francisco. There are gunshots that go off each night and 12-13 year olds smoking pot and drinking out in public but I sense the Lord’s presence in this place. A place that no taxis ever want to take you too or a place that is known for gang violence. Yes, in the midst of this dark neighborhood is a light that is piercing the darkness. God is here! I see it in the faces of the children that light up when we want to play baseball with them or the widow who smiles when you greet her with “Hola” as she’s walking the streets. There is never too dark of a place that the light of the Lord’s presence can’t invade.
A few days ago I read Psalm 104 and was struck with a verse.
“He wraps himself in light as with a garment”
– Psalm 104:2
Did you catch what that verse said?
“He wraps himself in light”
I can’t imagine someone or something with the ability to wrap themselves in light especially to have it as an item of clothing. It only took 5 seconds after I read this verse before the Lord led me to Ephesians 6. If you’ve never read Ephesians 6, you probably should check it out.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your feet fitted with the READINESS that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the word of God.
– Ephesians 6:10-17
If you read this passage you’ll see that it says “put on the full armor” and never says to take it off. I’ve heard my entire life to wake up and put on your armor and get ready for battle. Right now I’m in a place where I don’t want to do that. Every morning that I wake up I’m already fitted for battle. I sleep in my armor. But maybe that’s not even good enough.
Here’s a question to ponder:
Is your armor a separate entity or is it an extension of who you are?
I imagine my right hand/arm transforming into a sword that begins to sync itself with the rest of my body.
My left hand/arm has now become a shield.
My chest is now covered with this shiny, metal covering called a breastplate.
I no longer wear hats because my head has transformed into a helmet.
My feet have been fitted with springs.
And all these things are held together by the belt that is now tattooed around my entire body.
Wake up each morning and go to bed each night with your armor on. Let it transform your physical body into a spiritual one.
Praise: The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to spend the night at the beach here in Cartagena. Also, we’ve played baseball, football and basketball everyday that we’ve been here. Thank you, Jesus!
Financial update: As of now, I have $5,000 out of $6,500 raised for squad leading. If you feel led to help out financially that would be a huge blessing. Also, recently I received news that I will need to start payment on one of my student loans. The amount is $130 which starts on the 30th of this month. If you would like to help out with personal funds just shoot me an email at [email protected]. Thank you so much for all the support, prayers and love. God is moving, people are finding freedom and the gospel is being spread throughout the world. God Bless.
