Another Blog

Hey friends!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have another blog I am going to be writing on for life in general, so I can keep this one for missions and such. :) If you are interested in following it, here is the link. http://ramblingsofachild.blogspot.com/

Much love!
Mary

Romans six:four

Romans 6:4English Standard Version (ESV)

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Lyrics from Hillsong, Beneath the Waters -

This is my revelation
Christ Jesus crucified
Salvation through repentance
At the cross on which He died

Now here my absolution
Forgiveness for my sin
And I sink beneath the waters
That Christ was buried in

I will rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live

I stand a new creation
Baptized in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I'm justified

I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your Lordship
And glorify Your Name
Your word it stands eternal
Your kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
And on and on again
No power can stand against You
No curse assault Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone
I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
For I was dead in my sin

But now I rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live!

On August 5th, 2014, I graduated Harvest School and got re-baptized in the Indian ocean in Pemba, Mozambique. It was an incredible experience and I'd like to tell that story and the day surrounding it here. :)

Tuesday August 5th was graduation day for Harvest School. The day was long-awaited for all of us. It was hard to believe we were already graduating, but I was so ready and excited for Cambodia and whatever came next. We had all been told that graduation could very well be an all day event. I was trying to prepare myself for that as I knew it could be exhausting. Miraculously we had running water all day on graduation day! That morning my housemates and I all took a little more time than normal (which still isn't much) to get ready, put on a little makeup and try to look nice for graduation. Once we were all ready, we walked to the church and were greeted by a sea of happy, excited faces and bright colored, Iris t-shirts, which we received to wear that day. Before we went inside the church there was a whole lot of picture taking and selfies going on. 

First thing on the agenda for the day was group photos with our color group, Heidi, Rolland and some other key leaders. As we waited for our turn (which took quite awhile with 24 groups!) we sat with our group and chatted and hung out. After we got our picture taken, I ran back to the house to change my clothes because we were doing our dance we had been working on! 

Before we danced, another group did a dance/drama that they had done for class. Over the summer, each group was required to put on a skit of a missionary's life for the rest of student body. This particular group did a very moving drama on Heidi's life. It was beautiful to say the least. I haven't seen a video of it yet, but if I find one, I will post the link. 

Myself and two other Harvest students had the privilege of teaching dance to some of the girls from the children's home on Friday mornings. We got to perform a dance with them that we had been working on. It was fun to dance with them. They were often kind of shy, but they smiled and came alive on stage and I think they had fun. :)

My beautiful dancer friends

After the dance with the girls, we did our student dance that we collaborated on. It was really powerful. I could feel God's presence the whole time we were dancing. One of our dancers encouraged us all to be praying and interceding as we were dancing, especially times we were just "waiting" or standing still. I really did that and it got me so excited and pumped up. If you haven't seen the video yet, here's a link to it. Enjoy and feel free to share! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLEfcVlJ6YI&list=UUqAjonyJtpCb2VR4DdGswcA

The day continued and included some worship time, crazy african dancing time and some preaching/commissioning. The last part of the day was our official "graduating," which in Harvest School fashion includes all of the staff and guest speakers lining up making a tunnel for us to walk through as our name is called. After our name was called, we walked through the tunnel (fire-tunnel is what they call it) and all of the leaders prayed for us, blessed us and commissioned us. It was a powerful time and many people came through the tunnel barely able to walk or needing to be carried out, having powerful encounters with Jesus. I was definitely touched by God as I went through the prayer tunnel, but nothing too crazy happened and I left a little disappointed. I had been praying and expecting for some kind of completion, sealing, and full outpouring. I was so hungry for everything God had for me and I wanted to know that I was leaving having received everything I possibly could. After I was prayed for, thoughts of disappointment and confusion tried to creep in. I had to fight it for a little bit and finally gave it over to God and settled in my heart that He is good and He can do whatever he wants, whether it seems like what I was hoping for to experience or not. Who knows what he might be doing in my heart or teaching me. So I tried not to allow feelings of disappointment to ruin the day and I left it in God's hands knowing that whatever that day looked like or didn't look like, it didn't change everything he had done in me all summer. 

Earlier that day (or the day before. I can't remember) we were told there would be and opportunity to be baptized. I hadn't really thought about it a lot, but something in my spirit felt like I was supposed to do it. I wrestled with it for a little while because I was baptized when I was twelve and I didn't really know how I felt about getting baptized twice. After thinking and praying about it some more I decided that I wanted to do it. This time rather than just a declaration of faith and salvation, but a sealing of everything God had done and transformed in my heart, a complete dying to myself and union with Jesus. I also wanted it to be a declaration and confirmation of the Holy spirit in me. Only one of my other housemates was going to get baptized. For her it was the first time. That alone I felt was such a God thing. We definitely connected and she is also from Ohio. I feel like having that experience together with her was really significant. I know our paths will continue to cross and who knows how we may connect or minister together in the future! If you read this, this is a shout-out to you! I love you Diana!!!!

After we got back from graduation, we had to rush to get a ride on the truck over to the place they were holding the baptisms. No time to change clothes or anything. I was able to grab a towel though, thankfully. :) 

When we got to the location we were doing the baptisms, we got out of the truck and walked down to the beach. A number of the staff and leaders went out into the water to get ready to baptize us. I'd say there were about 20 of us getting baptized, but I'm not sure. We all lined up and waited for our turn. I was somewhere in the middle of the line. When we first got there, Heidi was out in the water helping to baptize people. I can't say I'd really had any "starstruck" moments being with her all summer. I tried my best to see her and Rolland as the normal people they are who have just given everything to Jesus and allowed him to use them. On this day though, I can't help but admit that the thought did cross my mind of how cool it would be to be baptized by the one and only Heidi Baker. The subconscious thought was also there that of course she has some kind of special anointing that the other staff wouldn't have and I would get an extra dose of Jesus from her baptizing me. (All silly thoughts of course) All this to say that God really does have a sense of humor. When there were just a few people left in front of me in line, Heidi walked out of the water towards us, splashing some water on us and saying "remember your baptism!" At first I was really confused, then I realized that she was leaving. She had some kind of meeting with the government that she had to get to. At that point I was just like, "Ok, Jesus. You got me. Very funny." :P He reminded me and my human mind that it's not about anyone else, just about him. It doesn't matter the circumstances, surroundings or people who are there, He can still move whenever and however he wants to. He doesn't need anyone, but he still chooses to use us.

I don't remember when exactly, but at some point I realized that all of my housemates had come over to the beach to support us and to see Diana and I get baptized. It was such a great feeling to have them there. They are and always will be my sisters!

As people went in to be baptized, everyone was getting powerfully touched by the Holy Spirit. It was exciting to see. I remember one girl they didn't even have to baptize her because the Holy Spirit hit her so hard she fell down into the water on her own. Haha. My friend and housemate, Diana was right in front of me in line, so I got to see her baptism. She shared a little of her testimony (which is powerful!) and she got touched by Jesus when she was baptized. 

Next it was my turn! I was excited, nervous and expectant all at the same time. It wasn't a super hot or sunny day, so as I walked out into the water is was a bit chilly. There were half-naked (probably some completely naked), curious little African kids swimming all around us. When I got out to where the staff were, they asked me to share my name and a little bit of my testimony and why I had chosen to get baptized. I was getting emotional already, just thinking about all that God had done in me that summer and how grateful and privileged I felt to have all of the experiences and opportunities I had been given. As I opened my mouth to speak, I was choked up already and could feel God's presence on me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love for him. When I finished, the people who were doing the baptizing had me sit down in the water. They prayed and spoke some things over me. I don't remember what all was said, but something I do remember was something along the lines of that God had seen my heart and heard my cry. That was meaningful to me. As they baptized me, they all laid hands on me and then put me under the water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Coming up out of the water I really can't explain what I felt. I felt a lot of things and it's hard to put it into words. I was overwhelmed by God's love, his presence, his power, his healing, cleansing, forgiveness, his spirit. When I stood up from the water, everyone put their hands on my head and began to pray for me. Almost instantly, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit and my knees gave out and I collapsed back down into the water. It took a little while for me to be able to stand up again. I was weeping and laughing all at the same time. All of my housemates were screaming and cheering for me. Everyone was so supportive and excited to see God touching me. As I walked out of the water, I was met by the tunnel of amazing people ready to pray for me and pour into me every bit of Jesus that was inside of them. I was kind of in another world and almost tripped over a kid on the way out. Lol.

As I walked through the line, I continued to feel God's power touch me and continued to find it hard to stand. Once I got to the end of the line I was on my knees just worshipping and soaking in all of God's goodness and presence. I wanted to take in and remember every bit of that moment that I could. I don't know how long I stayed there or remember what exactly happened. The next thing I remember is hugging my housemates and feeling so full of joy. One of them had filmed my baptism for me, so when I got my phone back, I watched it. -Ok, pause for a little back-story here- 

I've mentioned before that joy is a huge thing at Iris. As it should be anywhere where Jesus is involved. There were many times where I had seen people touched with the Joy of the Lord to where they would be rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably. I have to be honest, sometimes it annoyed me, but that was because I had never experienced it, didn't completely understand it or was even envious at times. There were times I felt a little bit of that joy or started to laugh a little bit in worship or ministry time, but I never felt a complete release and overflow of uncontrollable joy. I began to long for it and pray for it. I wanted to experience the fullness that God had for me in every area. There were definitely times that I got frustrated because I went up when people were praying for joy and everyone else was filled and laughing. And once I even ended up crying when everyone else was laughing. That's another aspect of God's sense of humor with me. He loves to bless me and give me good gifts, but I feel like it's almost always in a different way and at a different time than I would expect or hope for, and usually looks different than everyone else. Anyway, with all of that said, I had prayed and asked God to be able to experience that complete, uninhibited, uncontrollable joy before I left. I wanted to experience everything that he had for me, leaving no rock left unturned, so to speak. 

Ok, back to the baptism. Up until this point I hadn't experienced that joy in the way I was longing for, but I was trusting God that he was good no matter what. As I got my phone back, I watched the video of my baptism, and as I saw how God had touched me, I was filled with joy and just started laughing. I remember hugging a couple of my housemates and they were also filled with joy and started laughing. As I was laughing and being filled with the joy of the Holy Sprit, I couldn't stand up and ended up on the ground again laughing harder than I had in a long time, if not ever. I feel like my sense of humor takes something unique to make me laugh and I'm not one of those people that laughs at anything or laughs hard often, so for that to happen, I knew it was God. I just felt so blessed. As if the baptism and touch of the Holy Spirit wasn't enough, this was just an over-the-top blessing. Icing on the cake. And isn't that just like God? He's never late! My last day in Pemba he decided to completely overwhelm me and powerfully seal everything he had been doing in me. He wasn't going to let me go home feeling like I hadn't gotten everything I came for. If you ask Him for the Holy Spirit, He will give it, we just have to trust him. His ways and his timing are perfect! 

I just remember that day walking away in disbelief, so filled, saying "I can't believe this happened. God is so good. This has been the best day of my life." I didn't care one bit about the wet sand that was all over my clothes, on my face and in my hair. I didn't care that by the time we got back to base all of the promised and long-awaited fried chicken was gone. All that mattered was Jesus and what he was doing in me. 

I can't really explain what happened or happens when you're filled with the Holy Spirit or why God sometimes chooses to fill us with joy to the point of uncontrollable laughter. It doesn't seem logical or practical to the human mind. But I know that in a few minutes of joy in His presence, he can do a whole lot of healing, restoration, strengthening and most of all pouring out his love. Sometimes He speaks to us through a deep theological sermon, or through his word, but sometimes he speaks to us through simply manifesting his presence in us and giving us a tangible expression of His love. You can't be in his presence, you can't feel his love or his touch without being forever changed. And that, my friend, I am. 

I am attaching a link to the video of my baptism. It's an unlisted video so you can only see it by clicking on this link. I feel a little vulnerable sharing this video, as it is so personal and precious to me. But as they say "a picture's worth a thousand words" I feel like this video is worth ten-thousand for me. If you're not used to this kind of manifestation of the Holy Spirit it may be a little weird to you, but I pray that it would touch you as God touched me! 

Thanks for reading!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2pkNcjURDk&list=UUqAjonyJtpCb2VR4DdGswcA

Back on the Cbus.

So I have now been home two and a half weeks and I haven't written since I left Pemba, so I figured it was time I updated everyone on my life and what God did in my last few weeks of my adventure and what's been happening since I've been home.

It's been a bit of a challenge adjusting. Culture shock wasn't bad. I think once you've traveled enough and seen poverty and all those things, not too much shocks you anymore. I don't know if that's a good thing though. I feel like I've become a little more numb and insensitive to it, but I also feel like I've learned a tiny taste of what Paul was saying when he said he had learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. And that's a good thing. :)

Jesus has been so good and kind to me. There have definitely been challenges adjusting. One of the biggest challenges I have felt has been the lack of community compared to what I had this summer. Being in a spiritual bubble, so to speak, where you have extremely strong, passionate lovers of Jesus around you 24/7 and you are constantly being encouraged, pushed, stretched and always growing. And of course being poured into constantly by incredible speakers, men and women of God every day, getting to worship live with amazing, spirit-filled worship leaders every single day. Those are the things that are a little rough adjusting to not having. But Jesus has been so faithful to meet me. Even if it's just me and some worship music on my laptop or a cup of coffee and my Bible. He's the same and He hasn't changed although my surroundings have. He continues to romance my heart and draw me into deeper intimacy with him, and for that I can't thank him enough.

Another thing that has been a challenge for me is how to process and share everything that's happened in and around me this summer. I want so badly to share all that I've learned and experienced, but since I've been home it's been completely exhausting to even think about doing that. It's hard to put three months of life-changing experiences and heart-transformation into words. And sometime I almost feel like it will lessen the depth of those things to try to put it into words. But God will give me the words and the means in his perfect timing.

I think it goes without mentioning that I have been completely thrilled to be reunited with my family. Especially those precious little ones I like to call my neiphews. No matter where I am, I will always need children in my life. They show us unconditional love, childlike faith and trust, dependency, pure joy. They remind us of the simplicity of the Gospel. I am so blessed to have these little ones in my life.

I'm not sure what is next or what life holds, but I know God is moving and shaking things in the spiritual whether it's super obvious in the physical or not. I'm excited for whatever is next. I'm excited to see his plans unfold and in the meantime I just want to see him move and use me in whatever ways he chooses. I've had some great opportunities already to talk with people and pray for people. It's such an honor to pour out anything that He has blessed me with any put inside me. I got to pray with my little sister, Hope, one night and saw the Holy Spirit touch her powerfully. I'm trying to remember daily to stop for the one in front of me. To live in the moment and not pass up the opportunities he gives us each day. I've definitely had moments of success and failure in that, but Jesus is patient and faithful to keep giving opportunities.

Well, there is a little update on me and my life since I've been home. I'm truly loving life. Even though there are a lot of unknowns and that can be a little frustrating and scary at times, God has filled me with so much joy in the process. His love and his joy is what keeps me going. His presence is what gives me strength.

I will be writing some posts soon about my other summer experiences and stories which haven't been told yet. Don't get too excited. ;)

Jesus eh bom!

It's been an amazing last full week here in Pemba.

I've been through some dry weeks where I didn't really feel like God was doing anything and I started to get complacent and just go through the motions. That was definitely hard for me, especially after I felt like God did so much the first couple weeks. But I feel like this week there has been more breakthrough and I'm getting past the dry spell.

I feel like this week God has been reminding me and confirming in me the things he's already done this summer. He's been showing me his love and intimacy in different ways and also reminding me what I carry and what's inside of me that he put there, even when most of the time I doubt it or question it. 

God can almost always get my attention through his creation. I feel his love through creation so often. That's been kind of big this week. The other night I was laying outside alone (rare moment!) just looking up the stars and enjoying being with Jesus. I wasn't really praying intensely or doing anything super spiritual, but I just felt connected to Jesus and although it may sound weird to some people, I felt like I was on a date, just hanging out with him. That's how I often feel when I spend time with him especially in his creation. I was overcome with love for him and his love for me as I looked up at the stars and reflected on all that he was doing in me and through me. As I lay there I saw two shooting stars in the span of a couple minutes. I lay there for quite awhile just looking at the stars, laughing and basking in his presence. For some reason I really wanted to see one more shooting star before I went to bed so I asked God to let me see another one, because I know he loves to give good gifts to his children. As I lay there I told him I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't and I still knew he was good. (Because I've done the opposite before and been disappointed when I didn't get what I asked for) I told myself I would stay outside till 9:30 if I didn't see one. I waited awhile and finally saw one more! I looked down at my phone and it was 9:29. Haha, Jesus is so good to me! I don't deserve it, but he loves me, so why not?! 

The next morning I decided it was time to climb the baobab tree again, this time to see the sun rise over the ocean. Again, I had a great time, being in nature and spending time with Jesus, being his friend and lover, enjoying him and knowing he was delighting in me.  

Pictures!! What do you expect from me?!? I climbed up with a bag so I had my phone and some other stuff ;)

Another cool nature experience happened this week. Lol. Story of my life apparently. I feel like a hippy or something. I promise I'm not like a new-age sun-worshiper or something. Haha. Anyway, God has spoken to me a couple times through the wind. Nothing super crazy, but one time quite a few weeks ago, it was really windy and I felt like he showed me that the wind was like him dancing with me. He also reminded me of the verse comparing being led by the spirit to the wind. It's almost always windy here in Pemba (thank God or it would feel a lot hotter!) and I can honestly say one of the things I will miss the most is worshipping in the wind every day. (Our school building is just an open air shelter) I just feel his presence when the wind blows on my face. So the other day Julie Meyer (sp?) from IHOP was here leading worship. It was a very intimate time, more soaking style worship. So... I did just that. Aka I was really tired and fell asleep for like a half hour. Lol. Right when I woke up she started singing a prophetic song about God sending a tangible sign of his love in the wind. That wherever we go it will be a tangible reminder of his love. I was floored. I felt like God had her sing that just for me. And the best part is the last few days I've been audio recording worship, so I have a recording of it and can listen to it again! Yay Jesus. :) 

Jesus has been drawing me closer to him and I'm falling deeper in love with him. He's so good. I've had a few instances where different people have prayed and prophesied over me very meaningful things, and some confirming other things that have been spoken over me or have been on my heart. 

There have been days and moments where I've begun to doubt again the power of the Holy Spirit in me and my ability to hear his voice and walk in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But Jesus is so kind and good to remind me. He doesn't say "Forget it. She doesn't believe and she's taken me and what I've given her for granted." Instead he's given me grace to step out and speak and see confirmation and others touched even after time and time again I say no to what I believe he asks me to do or speak. He always provides new opportunities. His mercies are new every morning and he never gives up on me. I never cease to be amazed and even shocked when I see him work through me or speak something that is actually confirmed. I guess that shows how much I still lack in faith and how gracious he is. If he can use me, someone who often prays and doesn't even fully believe what I'm praying or feel like I just made something up, he can use anyone! He can do whatever he wants and it most definitely doesn't depend on us! 

Oh yeah, I can't forget last week one class was a crazy party. If you don't know Rolland or haven't heard him speak he is a crazy joy imparter. Sometimes he just spends half of his sermon knocking people over with the Holy Spirit and filling them with joy. One day last week, he didn't speak at all, the whole class was spent with people rolling around on the floor laughing and getting knocked out in the Spirit. It was really funny. It's crazy how things that were kind of weird at first are completely every-day to me now.

Ok, gotta throw some random, comic relief in here. The other day I was going to town with three other girls to do a little shopping. Our mode of transport is usually hitch-hiking. Yes. We hitch-hike in Mozambique. You can get a taxi (basically a random car with someone who charges you to give you a ride) or a bus (a large van that packs people in like sardines for a few cents) or you try to hitch hike for free. We found out it says on Wikipedia that hitch hiking in Mozambuqe is safe so no worries anyone. ;P anyways. This particular day a truck pulled over we talked and they seemed a little hesitant but didn't say any cost, so we said ok and hopped in. There was a big plastic pipe coil in the back of the pickup so we climbed in and tried to find space to sit. Three of us squeezed in corners around it and one girl climbed into the middle of the coil. We started bouncing down the road over tons of pot holes. They were driving a little faster than normal. I started bumping up and down and felt like I was about to fly out of the truck, so I dove into the middle of the pipe coil on top on my friend in the middle, so I was basically sitting on her lap. It was then we noticed a funny smell... No a bad smell. A sewage smell. And then we noticed the pipe coil had some dried dirt spots on it. Oh... Wait for it. Yes. I do believe I was hitch hiking, sitting on Diana's lap bumping down an African road in the back of a pick up in the middle of a sewage pipe coil. And to top it off there was a guy driving behind us leaning all the way out his window blowing kisses at us. No words... That was definitely an experience to remember. 

It's so encouraging even to see God work through me in little ways because it builds my faith to get ready for what he wants to do through me in Cambodia. We had another meeting with our team and someone made a comment that we have the most "God stacked" team ever. Which is so true! I truly believe I get to go with some of the most amazing people God has created and I feel like our team is going to have so much unity and love for each other and for the people we will encounter. I seriously CAN NOT wait! Today God broke my heart specifically for children I will meet there and I am so excited to meet them and love on them. I feel like God is reviving my mothering heart which has been quenched some in the last few years. It's a very personal, vulnerable place for me but I look forward to what he will do. He basically showed me it may not look like what I would expect or hope for, but it will be more than I could imagine. I guess that's how he often works though. Haha.

This week Rolland gave probably my favorite message I've heard since I've been here. What was it about?:

JESUS. Period. Not miracles, not signs and wonders, not the power of the Holy Spirit, not the love of the father, not our standing as sons and daughters, not our commission to go to the nations, not compelling us to love the poor, but Jesus. The point of everything, the bottom line, our meaning, our purpose, our destination and our bridegroom. It was exactly my heart. Jesus is everything! I felt like it was so timely coming in the last week. After we've learned and experienced so much, and there have been so many guest speakers with so many different emphasises. In the end it all comes down to Jesus and a love relationship with him. 

Don't know if you'll be able to read it, but if you're interested, rather than typing them out, here are my notes from that sermon. :) 

I can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that I'll be leaving here and headed for Cambodia next Wednesday. This summer has drug on and flew by at the same time. But looking back I'd definitely say it's gone by insanely fast. Graduation is on Tuesday, which I'm sure will be a memorable event. I'm excited. I just want to finish strong and squeeze every last drop of what Jesus has for me out of this summer. He's good, he's good, he's good! 

There's a rap song they sing here that says "Do you know that Jesus is good?! He's good! He's good!" It's a funny song but it's so true. 

Headbands and skirts. Pemba attire.

Suprise birthday party for my Ohio buddy Diana! (red shirt) 

Peace and love. :) 

Final lap

Sorry it's been awhile guys. 

I've had a hard time thinking of things to write. I know that God still has things he wants to do in these last days here but it almost feels at times like he's done everything and now I'm just waiting to leave. Its a kind of hard place to be. I don't want to waste the time here or just coast spiritually speaking, but it's definitely been more chill and relaxed on my part the last few weeks. 

There has been a lot things going on which I'm not at liberty to talk about publicly. (That sounds pretty cool and top secret huh?) You can email me if you want more info, but I can't promise I'll respond because internet has been a precious rarity the last few weeks. 

I can say that I've really enjoyed getting closer to my housemates lately. It's of course mixed with irritation and the struggle of living in very close quarters with 10 other women. I've learned a lot about community, preferring others and even sharing as elementary as that sounds. But we've grown so close and it's definitely going to be hard saying goodbye to all these amazing women! We always joke that we are an unsocial house because we only hang out with each other and don't make friends outside of our house, but I've actually made some other friends too! Haha.

The question of the hour is what each person will be doing when we go home. My answer is usually that I have no idea. Although I do believe very strongly that God has things he's poured into me that he wants me to prong back and impart at home. I've struggled with how that's going to look and having fear that nothing will happen and I will fail in what he's called me to do, but my housemate gave me an encouraging word the other day that it's all the Holy Spirit, that I can do nothing and just carrying his presence, he will do what he wants to do. I know this, but it's such a necessary, daily reminder. That I can do nothing in my own strength. He will accomplish what he wants to accomplish through me if I am surrendered to him. (Which I'm trying to be!) surrender is one of the most painful, terrifying, and freeing things I've ever experienced.

I have a lot of mixed emotions about going home. I'm so ready and excited to go home. I miss my family more than I can express. And the birth of two amazing babies awaits me! But at the same time it's terrifying because I have no idea what I will be doing or where God will be taking me. Figuratively and literally. But I know he's good, I just pray that my ears are open to hear his voice! 

On a more practical note, we are working on a dance for graduation which I'm excited about! We actually have some amazing technical dancers so that will be fun. We are also teaching some of the young girls here and plan to perform a dance with them too. They are so sweet. I wish I got to know them sooner. 

I'm so grateful for this time I've had here. And I can't wait to get to Cambodia and see what God has for me there. I feel like this whole summer he's been filling me up and pouring into me and I'm hoping that Cambodia will be a time more of pouring out and growing in ministry and gifts of the spirit. I've been praying about possibly choreographing a solo dance to minister their if I have the opportunity, so prayers for that would be good:)

Short and sweet, don't have tons to say or much battery life left, but I guess I owed everyone an update and I had people asking. So there ya go! :)

Be blessed and I covet your prayers as always!! 

Here are some random pictures. Make up your own captions. Enjoy! :P

Mid-July happenings

Today is going to be mostly a photo blog. I've actually taken lots of pictures the last few days! Haha.

Ok, first order of business. Friday I went on "village immersion." As part of the Harvest school curriculum, they send students out in small groups one time to the villages to spend a day with a Mama (a woman connected with Iris, usually a widow) to be immersed in the culture and do everything they do in a day. They used to send people to spend a night, but for some reason the government will only permit us to spend the day now. I went with three other girls from my color group. We spent the day with a Mama from the church. We helped her wash some dishes, she wouldn't let us help her cook (she made us a delicious lunch). We spent most of the day sitting in the shade hanging out with her grandkids and other kids from the village. A woman who lived next door asked us to come and pray for her because she had pain in her head and felt some darkness in her home. Her daughter had also been having nightmares. After we prayed for her she said her head was better. Praise God! We had a great time hanging out and getting to know the people we stayed with that day and sharing and receiving God's love. We also took lots of fun pictures! ;)

Yesterday morning I had the great privilege of going to share Jesus' love in the garbage dump. It was such a crazy experience. For me it wasn't quite as shocking as I'm sure it was for some people, since I've been to the garbage dump in Guatemala which is like 10 (or more) times worse. It was heartbreaking to see the kids just hanging out in the dump and seeing people searching for some food or some scraps to sell. We were able to pray for some sick and injured people. Some we saw healed, some we didn't. That's always difficult, but I pray and believe they will all be healed. One amazing thing that happened was a young man came up to us and our translator told us he wanted us to pray for him because he was addicted to drugs and wanted to be free from it. Not sure how he felt or if he felt anything change, but I pray that God touches him and sets him free! As usual we had tons of kids following us everywhere. After awhile we had the kids sit down and we "had church." We sang some songs accompanied by a ukulele someone brought and we shared the gospel with them. We all took turns sharing bits and pieces of the gospel and our Mozambican friends translated. When we asked who wanted to receive Jesus, most, if not all of the hands went up and lwe led them in prayer laid hands on them and prayed for them to be filled with Jesus' love and the Holy Spirit. It was such a sweet time. Oh! I also got to hold a 2 week old baby who lived in the village next to the dump. He was so precious. I definitely hope to go back to the garbage dump. 

Yesterday all of us were invited to a wedding. The wedding was a American woman who was a former harvest student and a Mozambican man that had been raised in Iris by Heidi and Rolland. It was a beautiful wedding. We had a lot of fun "dressing up" (trying to at least). We are going through a water crisis so we aren't really allowed to use well water to shower, so we used water bottles, baby wipes, or bathed in the ocean and tried to clean up. I think we did pretty good for the circumstances. ;) My favorite part of the wedding was when the girl came down the aisle, she walked to Misty Edward's song "I will waste my life" which is a song that's kind of been "my song" for this summer and my life in general lately. It talks about leaving your mother and father and clinging to Jesus. I got chills, felt the Holy Spirit and almost started crying because the reality of that for her and her life was so heavy and yet so beautiful. She is giving up everything for the one she loves and the ONE she loves. It was a beautiful expression and example of love and sacrifice.

Another random subject is that I've been getting up early to spend time with Jesus and see the sunrise. I've actually really enjoyed it and found so much peace in it. It's actually quiet in the mornings! Haha. And the sunrises can't be beat. (Pictures don't do it justice at all though). 

Ok, I think that's all for now. Be blessed! And PLEASE pray for more water here. I don't even care about running water anymore, just an abundance of a water supply would be amazing. 

Pray for my hunger for Jesus to continue to grow and my intimacy with him to deepen. Pray that I am continually filled with more of the Holy Spirit and learn more each day how to listen and stay in tune with him.

Thanks! Much love! <3