Baba Bendaje.

Is my new favorite phrase. It means :God bless you: in Kuna. (I don't actually know how to spell it though. lol).

This weekened we went out the San Blas Islands to spend a few days working with a church out there and hanging out with the locals. It was a blast. Basically we slept in huts (most of which had sand floors) and walked around the island barefoot. It was really pretty much the most fabulous thing I think I have ever been able to do. I loved it!

It was also awesome to get to hang out on the beach, and enjoy the beautiful Caribbean. Joy. :)


I have tons of other things to write about, but for now I must bid you adieu. I will do my best to upload pictures and post stories after I get home.


Thank you for all of your prayers these past few weeks friends. I love you, God bless!

San Blas

Leaving for the San Blas Islands today. Be back Monday. Please be praying for effective ministry, and safety. Thanks!

Sorry.

Sorry about the lack of updates. Turns out, the computers that were so wonderful the first few da ys of my stay here have died, and now we must use the world's slowest working computers. Sigh. I'll post about the trip as soon as I can.

Waiting...

I got my glasses all fixed. Well, sorta--They are Krazy-glued back together and haven´t fallen apart since I did it, so I assume they are fine. haha.

We are about to head out to pick up the team from the airport. I´m pretty much excited, because now I will actually have something to do. haha. With that being said, I am super grateful I have had the past two days to rest and catch up on some much needed sleep.

:)

Tomorrow is our first day of ministry. The team will be doing the drama in some schools. I can´t wait!!!

Like the Rain in Panama

I arrived in Panama last night! This place is so beautiful, I love it. :)

It was really stormy in Miami yesterday afternoon, but my flight was on time, which was a huge blessing! Seriously, all of yesterday was a blessing, I got to hang out with the Davids at the hotel, then Caleb came and helped me get my stuff to the airport (thanks, friend) and I basically waited all of 2 minutes to get checked in, it was fantastic. When I went through customs a little while later, once again--it only took like 5 minutes to get all the way through, it was awesome. I got through customs here in Panama really fast as well, so that was fun.


Now I´m just chilling out making sure some of the last minute details are ready before the team comes in late tomorrow night. It´s pouring rain right now, and I´m sitting here trying to watch it. I love rain, it´s so much fun. =)

In other news, apparently somehow my glasses got moved in the middle of the night from my bedside table to my bed, and i rolled over on them and they are broken. Sad. Luckily though it´s just at the nosepiece, so I can hopefully superglue them back together until I get home. Thanks Mom for insisting on getting the insurance for my glasses so I can get a replacement pair! haha

I guess that´s about all for now, I´ll write again soon!

To sleep or not to sleep....

That is the real question today.





Only a few short hours ago we went out our first two (of seven) flights leaving Peru. We are all praying and believing for smooth, safe, uneventful travel--not only on our international flights, but also getting all 500+ kids to their connections once we get to Miami. God has definitely blessed us with a very smooth, wonderful trip, and I totally believe He is going to see us all the way through until every last Brio missionary is safely back home in the loving arms of their families.





This trip has been awesome, and we couldn't be more grateful for all of your prayers. Sickness has been at a bare minimum. Teams have worked very well together. Really, everything has gone wonderfully. That in and of itself is a blessing, on top of all of the great opportunities God blessed the teams with. :)







Well, that's all from me, I'll see you state-side! :)

Wrapping up..

Tomorrow is our last day in Peru for the Brio Mission trip. Over 7,131 people made decisions to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour over the past several days. PRAISE GOD for putting those people in the path of just the right person from just the right team who could connect and help share their passion for Jesus. Please keep these people in your prayers as local churches begin follow-up with new believers. Pray that they will get plugged in with a great church family, who can help disciple them and help them grow in their faith.


Now we face the task of returning home. Logistically--it's a BIG deal, so please be praying for smooth travels, and that the kids make their connections with out a single problem (and with as few tears as possible).




So, all of my bags are packed, I think I'm ready for this. :) If I don't write tomorrow, happy trails, talk to you soon.

I'm giving it all to you,

A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to share in a wonderfully intense moment with God, along with the 500+ teens, and adult leaders here in Lima, Peru. There is something miraculous to me about such a large number of so many young people who truly love God. It reminds me of how blessed I am to have the opportunity to be a part of it all. I know that what we are doing here is ministry, it is the work of God. Sometimes it's tiring, sometimes it seems nearly back breaking, and yet all the while, I'm just happy to be here. To me, this isn't about a call or a command that we were given in the Bible, it's about doing what I love, and I thank God for the opportunity to do it.


Anyway, so one of the songs that particular night is called "Visions." It is a beautiful song, you should listen to it sometime here. (the sound is kinda not great, but who cares, the song is good). The lyrics are wonderful--inspiring, challenging, and encouraging. Particularly the chorus, which I will share first. :)

"Visions"

So take my life, I'm giving it all to you
Whatever you want me to do, I'm going to follow you
My mind's made up, I'm gonna pay the cost
Just to see salvation of the lost.

I see a vision, of a generation, coming back to You
I see a vision, of a generation, getting lost with You
With hands raised high, with one voice they cry to a Holy God:
"I once was blind, but now I see Your love for me."

I see a vision, of a generation, crying out to You
I see a vision, of a generation, bowed down before You
On our knees, Lord have mercy for we have sinned
Come wash us clean, we long to see your Glory.

So take my life, I'm giving it all to You
Whatever you want me to do, I'm gonna follow You
My mind's made up, I'm gonna pay the cost
Just to see salvation of the lost

I see a vision of a generation sold out for You
I see a vision of a generation that would die for You
Refiners fire is our hearts desire to be like You
So as we decrease Lord You will increase, Hallelujah

So take my life, I'm giving it all to You
Whatever Your want me to do, i'm gonna follow You
My mind's made up, I"m gonna pay the cost,
Just to see slavation of the lost.


I feel like I"m just beginning to learn what that really means--to give whatever it takes to share the Love of Jesus with the whole world.

In Peru!

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that I have arrived safely in Peru (yesterday) and now we're just getting all the stuff rolling for our 13 teams to do the ministry that they came here to do! I'm so excited to see how God is going to work during the next 9 days. :)


Love you.

More soon. (hopefully)