Colombia week 4!

Four weeks living outside the US, wow!!  I’ve done my fair share of international travel, but this is the longest I’ve ever been outside the country and it’s been amazing. We only have 2 weeks left of ministry here, and then one week of a Colombia debrief before heading to Vietnam! My team just found out that we are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam! My team is a group of 7 girls. There are 3 other girl teams and 1 guy team. We just found out that for the remainder of our trip (7 months), all of our teams will be split up in each country. Adventures in Missions (AIM) has ministry contacts all across Vietnam, The Philippines, and South Africa that can only house one or two teams at a time, not all 43 of us. So unfortunately, Colombia will be the only country that our whole squad gets to live and do ministry together. We were all a little flustered and upset with the news because we’re so close with everyone. I have made some best friends that are not on my team. But the Lord has given me peace that His hand is still over all that we’re doing. We watched a documentary last night called Sheep Among Wolves, about Christian persecution in the Middle East, and suddenly, all my problems became so small. I can freely share and talk about Jesus without the threat of death hanging over my head. The Lord humbled me through watching it in the fact that the work we are doing is so much more important than who I’m doing it with. So although I will be separated from many of my closest friends for the remainder of our trip, the Lord is still so faithful. I’m am on this trip for His will to be done, not my own.

In the same vain of “not my will but yours”, this past week I decided to fast from my phone, and a few of my friends joined me. I was feeling convicted about how much time I was spending on my phone. Even if it wasn’t that much, it’s not the reason I’m here. And if there’s anything I can do or give up to become closer to the Lord, I want to surrender that thing to Him. So I didn’t give up my phone because I felt the Lord tell me to, but just out of simple obedience and love for Him. I have felt so much more in tune with the ministry we’re doing, and present in taking advantage of my time here. Instead of opening up my phone when I’m board, I’ve been reading my Bible more, drawing, or learning new songs on my guitar. Fasting from my phone is hopefully going to become a regular habit for me! Also because I did not have my phone, I did not get many pictures this week:/

This week, my teams ministry was youth ministry. We did prayers walks during the week, and helped other teams with their ministry. And then on Saturday night, we helped the church with their weekly youth event. This week we took them out evangelizing! We had some tracks to hand out, and brought guitars, and kahone, and a speaker to play some worship on the street. But our main goal was to pray for people, tell them about Jesus, or invite them to the church. Before going out, we met inside the church. When I walked in, one Colombian guy from the foundation pointed at me and motioned an air guitar with his hands. I nodded yes, saying that I can play, and then he just handed me a guitar. I got to play and sing some Spanish worship with them on the street! It was so fun! The Lord blessed me with the gift and ability of guitar, and I’m so thankful for all the ways He’s allowed me to steward it so far.

Pray for peace, obedience, and boldness over our squad as we begin to prepare our hearts for Vietnam!

God bless,

Shelby 🙂