Refreshed.

Those who talk to me on a regular basis know that February was a rough month for me, to say the least. I was feeling the pressure about deciding about next year and was feeling forgotten by God. I spent all of my quiet times praying and journaling and asking for the same things over and over and over and over again and I felt like He wasn’t listening to me. My Bible plan is chronological so I was in the Old Testament (and will be there for a while longer, let’s be honest) and I was doubting that God could use Numbers Leviticus and Deuteronomy to speak to my heart. I was believing all sorts of lies and I was constantly asking talking complaining wondering and definitely not giving the Lord time or space to speak to me. I wasn’t listening and I wasn’t seeking His will. I was only seeking the answer that I thought I needed of whether or not I should stay in Uruguay for one more year. Little by little as I read through Deuteronomy (say hello to the power of Scripture) God began to remind me that I cannot be forgotten, that I cannot worship other gods like possessions or earthly comforts or friendships or relationships, that I cannot run from His great love. I was encouraged that the Lord above all just wants me to love him and serve him and walk with him.

Finally mid-March I made the decision to serve another year here in Uruguay with Cru! This means that I will be home at the end of May, will spend June and July raising support, meeting with people, and enjoying quality time with friends and family, and then I will return to Uruguay in August. Right away I felt a ton of peace about my decision. For the first time in several weeks I felt peace in my heart and trusted that Jesus was with me in this decision. Even though I know this was where the Lord wants me and will have me next year, it still took me a little while to feel excited about coming back here. But in this, as in all things, God showed up.

This past week has been a joy. I was reminded of how sweet my friendships here really are. I cannot imagine my life without these people in it. I was reminded of how much I love meeting with women. Drinking coffee, eating sweets, talking about boys, giving advice, and talking about God’s profound constant unconditional real love for us. This is a huge part of my job here and I can’t get enough of it. I get to spend my days reminding people of their Creator, reminding women that they are loved beyond belief by the God of the Universe, and reminding others that there are no rules to this thing, it is finished, we are resurrection people, we are free in Christ. I was reminded of the truth and power of the Gospel. I was reminded that God is at work here, with or without us, and how great of a privilege it is to serve Him.

Last night we went to a gathering of American missionaries that happens once a month. Missionaries from many different missions organizations meet to share life together, spend time in worship (in English), share stories of what God is doing, share prayer requests, and spend time in prayer together. It was amazing. Seriously, I can’t explain how refreshing it really was. I was so encouraged by each one’s story and the passion in the room to make Jesus’ name known among the nations. I especially love spending time with missionary families, brave people with a passion for Jesus who moved here even with little kids because they deeply understand the great need. As we went around sharing stories of our Uruguayan friends, I was reminded of how big God is. We each came and shared a few stories of where we see God at work, but just think of how many stories God has! I mean, He has 3 million stories in Uruguay alone, because He knows each and every Uruguayan personally and He is at work in their life pursuing them even if we can’t see it right now. I think of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15. God is running after His lost sheep, running after those who do not know Him, and I am so honored to be used by Him in this process.

 

 Luke 15:3-7 “So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

 

Bstud love.

On Saturday, Nat and I skyped our Bible study. Even writing this, I wonder when I will stop calling it my Bible study and just call it like it is, my very best friends. My very best friends. Women who I greatly respect, who I trust wholeheartedly, who I deeply love. Women of God who are smart, kind, loyal, genuine, sweet, pretty, respectable, humble, and downright hilarious. Each one brings different experiences, opinions, passions, and life to the group. The last four years have changed us from scared freshmen girls meeting in Mary’s single dorm room once a week (ha!) to invested friends doing life together day in and day out. Our first step was eating lunch together every Friday in Pioneer Hall that first year, until suddenly we were cooking, laughing, eating, planning, studying, crying, wondering, praying, living, leading, and sharing life together. So Nats and I skyped them while they celebrated friends Thanksgiving together! It’s amazing how you can be miles apart and through the Internet can be instantly reconnected.  That we can still laugh together and share memories and love each other. After we hung up Nat looks at me (as I’m already holding back tears for who knows what reason) and says, “Is it weird that I want to be sad right now?!” Something about it was too much, too great that it brought us to tears. We hugged each other goodnight and cried and laughed through our tears because we felt pathetic. Just earlier that day we were on the bus talking about how content we are here, how happy, how God has really given us a sense of peace and comfort being here in Uruguay. Then, we Skype with our friends and cry like babies. I think it was just extra sad that even though we are so happy here, we can still miss someone so much it hurts. The feeling of wanting to be here every day, but also missing people at home so much was apparently just too much. But I also think we were crying because we had such a deep sense of gratitude, too big for words, that it brought us to tears. How are we so lucky that we left behind such a beautiful life and then also get to love life here so much? I am so thankful to be here and so thankful for the people back home who have shaped me, encouraged me, and supported me to get to me to this point. These ladies are a big part of that! Bstud love.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins

and heals all my diseases.

He redeems me from death

and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things.

Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

Mid-October Prayer Requests!!!!

Hola a todos! The next two weeks are FULL! We have two really big upcoming events, and prayers from all of you would be greatly appreciated!

First of all, Nick Vujicic is coming to Montevideo!!!! Nick is an Australian who was born without arms and legs, yet he has a hope greater than his circumstances. He travels the world and has shared with millions how his Hope in Christ has transformed his life. Nick’s coming here is backed by many churches here as well as by various foundations that care for those with physical disabilities. We are helping a lot on the promotion end of things and we are expecting and praying for 6,000 Uruguayans to come out to the Rambla on Wednesday night to hear Nick’s inspirational message. Be praying for transformation in Uruguay this week! That God would be working here so many would come and many would put their faith in Christ. Also be praying for sunny weather! Want more information about Nick Vujicic’s incredible story? Check out: http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Next, Josh McDowell is coming to Uruguay October 30-Nov 3. Josh McDowell is a well-known author and speaker in the United States (More Than a Carpenter and The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict). He was a hardcore atheist and in his attempt to disprove the Bible, he came to realize that in fact it is all true. God was clearly at work to change his heart and now has used Josh’s story to reach the lives of so many people. He is coming to Uruguay and putting on a number of different events: one for college students, one for young people, one for parents.. Please be praying that God would be at work and would use Josh’s time here to bring many people into relationship with our true Savior Jesus Christ!

Thank you so so much for your continued prayers!  

A few realities of Uruguay

The reality is >> People here need Jesus.

Yeah let’s be honest, people everywhere need Jesus, but with each day here my eyes are opened as I begin to see the need here more clearly. A couple weeks ago Natalie and I met a girl at ORT, one of the private universities here in Montevideo. We began talking with her, asking about her life, her desires, her beliefs. After learning about her views on marriage, her trips to the United States and Europe, her ideas about Uruguayan politics, and her experiences with religion, we asked permission to share a little bit about our beliefs. We continued in our less-than-perfect Spanish and started to share that God is real and that He loves her, and then we were immediately interrupted, “That’s nice girls, but God cannot love me because He doesn’t exist”. Wow. Leaving that afternoon and reflecting on our conversation as we walked to the bus stop, we had heavy hearts. In fact I think Nat even had tears in her eyes. It’s not that we feel sad and rejected by the Uruguayans when they don’t believe what we believe, but our hearts break for the way that so many of them have rejected God. The people of Uruguay so clearly need Jesus but they’ve never heard His name, never known someone who could share with them a life transformed by His incredible love and grace. As I go through the mundane of daily life here, it’s moments like these that stop me and force me to realize why God has brought us here. We are here to ask Uruguayan students these questions, to bring their spiritual needs into the light, and to love them with a genuine love. Each day in Uruguay presents a new opportunity to walk closely with the Lord, to do life intimately and honestly with Uruguayans, and to share with them the abundant life that is possible in Jesus Christ.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

The reality is >> This year will change me.

 Today I was re-reading the notes I received from friends before I left and found one from Em saying, “I am so proud of you for taking a risk for Jesus. I promise it will be hard – but I promise it will be worth it.” When I read this for the first time on the plane my heart fluttered with fear of the year before me that was full only of huge possibilities and vast unknowns. Now, after merely tasting what this year will be full of, I know this to be true: I am going arrive home after this year different than I was when I arrived here exhausted and excited at 9am on August 26th. God promises that as we abide in Him, He will transform our lives. This means that no matter what we do or where we live or who we are, as long as we are living this Christian life we are being changed to look more like Christ. Now as if God’s power alone isn’t enough, add the fact that I am living in a land where they speak only Spanish, living with women I met a week before we were roommates, living 6000 miles from the support system I have come to trust so dearly, and living with the title of missionary, and change seems not only promised but inescapable. God is at work changing me already in so many ways as I am confronted daily with my negative attitude, my harshness with roommates, and how easy it is to believe lies over God’s truth. As I start to walk in this and live through it, I know that it will absolutely be hard, but more than that it will most definitely be worth it. As the Uruguayans would say, vale la pena.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6

The reality is >> God is faithful.

Isn’t it crazy that no matter how many times we see the Lord provide, we still fall into doubt the minute we need something? I am so insanely guilty of this and so incredibly thankful for a God who continues to pursue me even when I doubt His ability to take care of me. I started last week emotionally and physically exhausted, dealing with things and running on very little sleep. Now looking back on the week, it’s so obvious that God really does know our needs and He really does delight in providing for us. Despite my doubts, the week was full of sunshine, deep conversations, fun times with students, and quality time with my roommates. So many times this week I found myself looking up at the sky or out over the ocean or into the face of a Uruguayan, and seeing God so clearly present in that moment. I don’t know why I ever doubt God when He so clearly cares about the little details of my life and works all things for the good of those who love Him. I am amazed and humbled that this is my job, that I get to serve a God who is perfectly holy, loving, merciful, and faithful.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23