If I don't give You glory..

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.Romans 11:36

This week I found myself a helper with my work up at The Center. Little Maria offered to sit with me and wash the dishes after 70+ kids devoured the afternoon snack. We looked out over the city and chatted about various things when I expressed how thankful I was for her help today. She simply said "I love helping others!". My first reaction was that this little lady has beautiful heart but then she continued. She told me she just loves finding ways to help others and when she grows up she wants to be a doctor or a teacher so she can help. She told me she thinks doctors have lots of money and then she can give it to all the poor people.

She can do great things, I can do great things, we can all do really great things. But those great things are nothing if the glory isn't going to God. This week a fire sparked in me...I want to reflect my Maker. I want to glorify Him. Because if the glory goes to me, what good does it do? Our lives are fleeting. When we try bringing the glory to ourselves we become ugly, we become prideful and distasteful. We were created to take glory & praise and give it back to whom it belongs. We are made to reflect His love, compassion, sacrifice and goodness. We are made so that He can shine through us and that our fallen human self might fade away in the light of His perfection.

This week I pray for myself and for little Maria.

I pray that I would glorify God in everything I do and always give Him all the praise. 

I pray that Maria would grow up clinging to Christ and long to give Him glory with everything her dreams entail.

I pray we would both be captivated by our Creator.

Nor forsake you.

I'm not going to beat around the bush, lately life has been a struggle. In just about every sense. I feel weighed down and discouraged in so many ways. I don't think there is anyone who knows all the things that are happening with me, that in itself is rough. The feeling of loneliness..

From worrying/repeated trips to the doctor for infected bug bites to not feeling sufficient or successful and everything in between.. my range of struggles hit just about every area. Waking up I feel overwhelmed. Thinking of returning to the States in a little over 2 months fills me half way with extreme excitement and halfway with extreme sadness which causes my mind to boil over all the time. I could go on and on about things that are bothering me or hurting me or frustrating me or ways I'm falling short but what's the good in that?

OKAY, this doesn't continue being depressing!
God is really, really, really teaching me things.
Seems He always does that in our trials!
I find it super easy to say "God is in control" or "He has His plan" or "I just have to trust in Him". But what I'm learning right now is to TRULY trust in him. The Bible says He works all things together for the good of those who trust him. So honestly I am truly trusting...
Trusting that God has put me in every situation for a reason.
Trusting that He makes beauty from my mistakes and my pain.
Trusting that God will heal broken relationships.
Trusting that God has a perfect plan for my life.
Trusting that His love is unending, far beyond my understanding.

"Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:3-4
Thank you Jesus, for never leaving me alone. Thank for always testing me so that I might lack nothing and become more like you. Thank you for these difficult moments, give me the endurance and trust I long for. Pase lo que pase, I TRUST YOU. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you!!!

Hermanos.

Standing in front of a room of indigenous men and woman, pouring my heart out in two languages as my words were translated into a third the only word that consumed me was family.

Let me rewind. This weekend my coworker Laura, her husband Sergio, my friend Jorge Luis, and I headed out for Tiraque, Bolivia. Tiraque is a town in the green, luscious hills of Bolivia about 2 hours out of Cochabamba, filled to the brim with peace and quiet. As I walked the streets I wasn't sure if I should feel uncomfortable from the ghost-town-ish feel or calmed by the home-sweet-home atmosphere. Regardless, spending our morning exploring the forests, waterfalls, and pathways in the back grounds of this town was such a breath of fresh air. 

At midday we headed back into the town for the purpose of our little trip, a celebration. Here in Bolivia churches celebrate the church's anniversary EVERY YEAR. How cool, no? They put so much importance into the house & family of God.

We spent the afternoon in a little, white room with people we had just met. I was served plates upon plates of food to the point where I wanted to cry from fullness. We laughed and told stories and truly shared the afternoon together. As a prepared to give my testimony and speak in front of the church I couldn't help but look back on all the churches I have come into contact with here.

My Bolivian Home Church in Cochabamba.
A room full of laughter and love in a church, New Year's Eve in Sucre.
A weekend spent with a youth group and pastor's family in Tarija.
A new church body branching off from The Center in Cochabamba.
And now this...lovely, welcoming people in Tiraque.

Every church body I have come to know here has truly treated me as a part of their family. And they are just that, a family!!! They greet one another "Hermano" or "Hermana" (Brother/Sister) and then proceed to treat them like their very own siblings. The church is not just a place they meet to grow in the Lord but a home to seek God with your family, with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

At the end of the day Sergio preached. Ending his preaching with a prayer, he invited anyone who is seeking God, who wants to be washed in His blood...to come forward. As I opened my eyes I saw a beautiful site. 30+ of my brothers and sisters in Christ completely knelt before Him in prayer. With their intricate skirts being dirtied by the floor and their long braids rolling down their backs. In that moment I wanted to hug everyone. I wanted to thank them for their faith, for their welcoming spirits, and for their desire to pursue Christ which has so quickly encouraged me.

I envy the churches here and desire so deeply that churches in the states would embrace this command of brotherly love within the church. I long to see myself being more Bolivian in my behavior towards my hermanos and hermanas in Christ whether here or state-side. So I encourage you, love you brothers in Christ. Truly. Embrace the family of Christ that you have been put into and every person that walks into the house of God. Embrace it! :)

Easter week!

Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

So a little heads-up..Easter is my favorite holiday. It is everything. There is no reason to celebrate Christmas if there was no Easter. There is no reason to be a Christian if there was no Easter. There is no reason to live a joyful life if there was no Easter. There is no life...if there was no Easter.

So knowing that you will understand my disappointment at finding Easter as a very overlooked holiday here. *big sigh of exasperation* I was explained to that the Catholics cling to traditions over Holy Week and it's quite the ordeal for them and occasionally the Sunday sermon is resurrection oriented in evangelical churches. But no one grasps and truly celebrates with gladness the resurrection, beauty, gift, and life that is Easter!

So I tried to meditate on the scriptures of Christ's entry, crucifixion, and resurrection, listen to my favorite hymns, and find little ways of celebrating. Here's a little about my week! :)

Monday I received an Easter package from my family back home. Spent the morning in a park; reading singing, and chowing down on Peeps! :)

Rushing to Spanish lessons after work, this is my dinner on Tuesday/Thursday nights. Lovely fellowship with my Spanish teacher Toni about Spanish, culture, Easter, and life. The little blessings!

Araceli and I at The Center! A little sweetheart in my class this year who hasn't left my side/lap since school started!

Devon!!! Wednesday night Devon came over to cook, catch up, sing some hymns, read the Bible, and do our own version of Easter celebration. Spent some great time opening up & pouring our hearts out on my roof. Later with 3 more Americans! 

Paola and I at The Center this week! 

After an iTeams meeting Friday morning, I spent the day with this family;  preparing and devouring  a huge meal of pumpkin soup, chuño, salsas, trout, potatoes, and milk & rice desert.

 When I got home Friday I found myself without a key & my house empty. What could have been a pain ended up being a blessing! I sat at the neighbor's store for almost 2 hours in which I got to share the gospel (starting with Easter & why I am so happy) with all kinds of neighbors who came in & out & stopped to talk.

Saturday morning we headed off for Chapare! A jungle district 4 or 5 hours out of Cochabamba!

Some nifty swinging/zip-lining contraptions we got to experience in the Yungas!

We saw way too many bananas for my liking this weekend...

I spent the whole weekend in awe, how beautiful!

Roadtrip! haha. Squished between these brothers for hours upon hours sure did make me miss my own, I'll tell you that!

I was a little more excited than everyone else about the monkeys!!! :) Don't see those in Iowa.

Everyone got into the river Saturday after walking around in the jungle! So gorgeous! 

Where I spent my Resurrection Sunday! Swimming in beautiful river water with all kinds of people.

An absolutely lovely week and weekend. Finding joy in just about everything. Celebrating what Christ did that day that gives us true life every day in Him! It's more than traditions!

Happy Easter to everyone!
He is risen, He is risen indeed!

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Por fin!

Long days, early mornings, late nights.
Quick meals, packed meals, forgotten meals, skipped meals.
Cementing, painting, sanding, scrubbing, sweeping, cleaning, digging.
Smiles, laughter, frowns, tears, sweat.
I'm going to be honest & say that our team is exhausted. It's been crunch time for the last 2 months and crunch time sure has been squeezing everything out of everyone. 

I personally will admit that construction has been a difficult subject for me. I'm more than willing to work and happy to be useful but before coming to Bolivia I wasn't aware of how much construction work I would be doing. I definitely did not expect this. I didn't expect to spend 4 of my 11 months doing only construction as well as construction on top of the children's ministry in the other 7 months. But I cannot begin to tell you what a HUGE heart change God has done in me through this. He has changed my mindset, my attitude, my willingness in so many ways. So when I feel like complaining and getting frustrated I can't help but be thankful that He is working so much in me through this. Oh & I just look out at my view and remember how blessed I am....

 "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary!" Galatians 6:9

Baptismal under the stage! Nifty, huh?

^ The Sala Grande before.

^ The Sala Grande after.

Before, dirt floors/no patio.

After, cement floors/huge patio.

 This weekend all the work paid off. We finally kicked off the ministry with the dedication/inauguration of the new building. We invited the families to come see the new center building as we held a worship service, short teaching, snacks, introduction of the team & ministries (New church, Center for the children, Women's ministry), and sign-up for the Center's after school program.

 All the women of the team baked cakes/ bars/ brownies for a snack after the service!

 All set up, decorated, and ready!

 Our first time of worship in the church!

We had a PowerPoint of the building process since before they broke ground until now!

 Announcements (later translated into Quechua because many of the families mainly speak Quechua instead of Spanish)

 The introduction of the entire team!

 "Permit the children to come to me and do not hinder them." Mark 10:14

 Fellowship after the inauguration as parents enrolled their kids for the center. So nice to have so much support from our old church body, from different church bodies, and even from visitors from the US.

Seeing all the people we are ready to work with was such an exciting site. It put all the work into perspective and it took us out of the spotlight. The perfect plan God has for this ministry and this community of people continues to spur us on, all in our own different ways. Lord have Your way in us & in this ministry. 
After a busy, hectic, crazy weekend on top of the months of time and work put into this project we all took a deep breath. We still have quite a bit of work to do in the classrooms and the yard but God has been with this project from the beginning, was with it this weekend, and will see us through until the end. Such a settling thought. 

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands!"
Psalm 19:1

The greatest story.

I'm in love with Jesus. I can't express how I feel about Him. I don't think I will ever wrap my head around Christ and His love for me. I am in constant amazement. Us being torn, broken, self-destructing sinners and yet He still takes us as His bride is the greatest story ever told. He lays down His life so that we can have new life in Him instead of the fate we deserve. What love."You're my beloved. Lover I'm yours. Death shall not part us, it's you I died for. For better or worse, forever we'll be. Our love it unites us and it binds you to Me. It's a mystery. "

His mercies towards us are truly new every single morning.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

The grace He shows us is so under-deserved yet never ending.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

"Was lost but now I'm found. How precious did that grace appear."

The justification and redemption we receive through Him washing us clean of ourselves are the most beautiful gifts I ever could receive.

 "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it WHITE AS SNOW!"

"The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness."

My life is nothing, I am nothing without the sacrifice He made and the union He offers.
The blood of Jesus is my victory.

"My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them!" Psalm 71:15

I cannot come down.

What's a goal that you have?
Have you reached it?
How long have you been working on it? Something you really, truly want completed..
Maybe it's a project, maybe it's your future, maybe it's a change within yourself, maybe it's walking closer with God, maybe it's a friendship. Whatever it is...
It seems like every time we have a goal, a really good goal, there always comes distractions. They don't show up when the goal begins to grow, they don't show up after the goal has been reached. They creep in slowly, right as you're coming close to achieving your goal. If your goal is Godly and will bring Him glory I think I have a name for those distractions...The enemy. 

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah has a goal. His goal is to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He is constantly being attacked by distractions. He is repeatedly lured into leaving his work but he gives one simple response to those pulling him away...

I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. (Chapter 6:3)

As our team continues to push through towards our goal of opening The Center and the start of a new church we are being faced with many distractions. Many moments when we feel as if we'll never finish, our emotions are being brought down, and we feel defeated. I know that what God has planned for this project will bring Him glory and will reach many hearts for Him. That is not something Satan approves of and that is why he is eager to pull us away from the work. The passage in Nehemiah really spoke to me. It's so confident and strong. I need to remember to wake up every day saying those words; I am doing a great work and I cannot come down!

That goal I asked you about; are you feeling distracted? Every time you come close to achieving it you suddenly become sidetracked or something stands in your way? This week keep that goal on the forefront of your mind. Seek God about it. If it will in any way please Him and bring Him praise remember that the enemy is out to stop it. But God is far more strong than Satan and He will step in. He will overcome and He will win. Do not let yourself be distracted. Instead let God shine through. Through you, through your flaws, and through the distractions. Put your faith in Him, stand up, and say... I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.