Hello all--
As of today, there are 3 days until we leave for BRAZIL! Time has flown, as it always does. It's still surprising, though, how fast this school has passed. I feel very encouraged, still a bit overwhelmed, and a lot hopeful. I'm going to keep living my life, choosing to simply do something and trusting that He is guiding me and keeping me on the right path. It's a hard thing to decide if God has had this crazy plan for my life since before I was born, and that He is the one who consistently causes things and people to come into my life and lead me a certain way; or if He just put a piece of Himself inside of me and turned me loose to live and dream and do "my own thing" while all the while it's really His thing. That was a ramble, but my roomies and I have had that conversation several times. What is the will of God for our lives? Maybe it's as simple as Him giving you certain loves, hates, and passions and you stepping up to do something with those.
In this time of my life, I'm daily reminded that I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm walking blindly, following this Person who has captured my heart but whom I can't see, only feel every once in a while. It's amazing that in 3 months I am so much different than I was before I came-- new perspective, new heart. It will be very hard to sum up this school and to share about it when I go home, but I'm excited nonetheless. Just have grace with me, ok? :) It's tougher than it seems!
So, in Brazil, we'll be working with this orphanage: http://www.mountsalemcs.webs.com/
and staying at the YWAM base in town. We're still not completely sure what all we will be doing, which is great, I think! Our leader, Josh, has given us the freedom to pursue our individual giftings and take the time to do whatever we feel like we should do. Hopefully there will be a week-ish long boat trip up the Amazon where we'll meet some tribes, but that is not certain yet.
It's been a beautiful thing to see God provide for our team-- 8 people in all, every single penny paid for. It blesses my heart so much to see the body of Christ in action like that. AHHHHMAZING.
Sorry this is kind of short-- we're leaving in a few to do some outreach shopping, then going salsa dancing for my friend's birthday! Community life is wonderful. Busy. Crazy. And so much fun! I will miss it dearly. I'm so thankful to still have outreach.
Prayer points for us: unity with our team, creativity and ideas of things to do with the kids, servant hearts and opportunities for us to really bless the YWAM staff and students we're staying with, relationships with the people there, health & energy, and for us to be ready and willing for whatever God wants to do through us!
Love to you!
