"Don't Cry for Me Argentina!"

Wow. I am shocked at how quickly this year has gone by! I am only 12 short days away from going home, and it’s a really bittersweet feeling! In some aspects I can’t wait to get home and be reunited with my friends and family, but at the same time I dread saying goodbye, especially to those who I’ll never see again. It’s been a great year and I’ve learned a lot, most of which can’t be put into words, but I’m going to attempt to convey some of what I’ve learned if I can…

·       *   Dependence of God! I’ve already written on this a lot in some of my other posts, but it really has been the underlying theme for me throughout this whole experience!

·        *  Just HOW blessed I am to be American.—This seems obvious, but really, just by the location of my birth I have so many doors opened to me and enjoy so many freedoms!

·         * The beauty of diversity and embracing different cultures.—These differences are sometimes funny, but sometimes really, really, REALLY frustrating. It has been a growing experience to learn that sometimes it’s best to take a mental step back and understand why people do things differently. It doesn’t always make sense, and many times I’ve had to swallow my pride and frustration when things aren’t done the “right” or “most efficient” way in my eyes. But just because I was brought up doing things a certain way, doesn’t make everyone else’s way wrong. Being able to adapt to these differences has definitely been a challenge, but I feel that it has taught me a lot along the way.

·        *  Humility-not that I’m anywhere near or even capable of ever actually achieving this—but I’ve been making baby steps in realizing how “little” I actually am and how great, big and awesome God is! I am NOT the center of the gospel or even my own salvation, God is. It’s all about HIS glory (Romans 11:36, John 17:1-5). He is not glorious because he saved me; He saved me because He is glorious!

Still going with the humility theme, it seems like the more I learn about God and try to follow Christ and be an imitator of Him, the more disappointed I am with my complete inability to do so. It seems as if the more Christ-like I should be, the more aware I am of how far away from achieving this I actually am. I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back any “better”, or just more aware of my own depravity.

·         * The world NEEDS Christ! –while this might seem overly obvious, it’s not something that I think about of focus on nearly enough (and I don’t think I’m alone in this!). There are literally BILLIONS of people right now who are on their way to HELL! (The world population right now is about 7.023 Billion people according to the United States Census Bureau. 32% of the world’s population is considered to be Christian. That means roughly 4.783 Billion don’t even CLAIM to be Christian). Literally BILLIONS of them have never even HEARD the name of Jesus. (According to JoshuaProject.net 2.85 billion people are considered “unreached” meaning there is no indigenous church in their area. There are about 685,000 people who are considered “unengaged” meaning no one is actively trying to reach them with the gospel). While I would like to cling to a feel-good hope that somehow God will hand them some type of “get out of hell free” card to make up for my laziness/unwillingness/apathy/whatever other kind of excuse you can come up with, it simply is NOT biblical, and quite frankly demeans the work of Christ on the cross and calls Him a liar in John 14:6 when He says “NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me”. I could write about this so much more, but with David Platt’s “Radical” so fresh in my mind, I’d probably just be restating even more, soooo just read it!! It’s definitely one of/if not the best book I’ve read!

Honestly, I can’t explain or sum up this year in words; it’s one of those “you just had to be there” things. I’m heartbroken to leave my friends (who are more like family) here, but also excited for the future. Speaking of the future, here are my plans in case you were wondering:

·         * When I get back, I’m going to Macon State College to finish up my Bachelor’s (2 years)

·        *  I’m going to South Africa in Summer 2013 with the High School group at my church. I don’t know when exactly, for how long, or even what we’ll be doing, but I DO know that I’ve been dying to go to Africa for at least 2 years now and it’s going to cost about $3,000. (So if anyone wants to help, get in touch with me or Amber--She’s going too!)

That’s about all I have planned for now, which is oddly ok with me. I can’t wait see what else God brings along the way!

<3

Thoughts on Exodus...

This is something I wrote back in the beginning of March and just never posted…

During the end of camp I started reading through the Bible chronologically (like I’ve always wanted to!). While I was reading Exodus, I couldn’t help but see the parallels between then and now, them and us and I just wanted to share. I feel like this is a good demonstration of God’s heart on the matter of slavery, and especially in the light of the 27 Million who are enslaved today, I think it’s worthy of our attention.

(Not trying to add or subtract anything, I put all of the parts that were specific to the Israelites situation in brackets.)

"During those many days [the king of Egypt died, and] the people [of Israel] groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning [and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob] God saw the people [of Israel] and God knew." (Ex. 2:23-25)

Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people [who are in Egypt] and have heard their cry [because of their taskmasters], I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them [out of the hand of the Egyptians] and to bring them up out of that [land] to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, […] And now, behold, the cry of the people [of Israel] has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the [Egyptians] oppress them. Come, I will send YOU [to Pharaoh] that you may bring my people, the children [of Israel], out [of Egypt].  (Ex. 3:7-10)

This freaked Moses out, and just like I (and I’m assuming you, but if not good) do, he started making excuses…

But [Moses] said to God, “Who am I that I should go [to Pharaoh] and bring the children [of Israel] out [of Egypt]?” HE said, “BUT I WILL BE WITH YOU, […]” (Ex. 3:11-12)

Then [Moses] answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The Lord did not appear to you.” […] “Oh, My Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of tongue.” Then the Lord said, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore GO, and I WILL BE WITH YOU and teach you what you shall speak.” (Ex. 4:1,10-12)

Moses went to Egypt, and with the help of his brother Aaron, he approached Pharaoh and the people.

And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people [of Israel] and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshipped. (Ex. 4:31)

Pharaoh, angered with Moses and Aaron’s request, increased the burden of the people.

Then [Moses] turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came [to Pharaoh] to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” Then the Lord said [to Moses], “Now you shall see what I will do [...]” (Ex. 5:22-6:1)

Then God began sending plague by plague to display His glory to Pharaoh and the Egyptians and convince 

him to free the Israelites. If you aren’t familiar with the story, check out Exodus 7-12 for yourself and keep in mind this is still the same God and He knows the suffering of the 27 million slaves of today!

And the Lord had given the people favor [in the sight of the Egyptians], so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the [Egyptians]. And on that very day the Lord brought the people [of Israel] out of [the land of Egypt] by their hosts. (Ex. 12:38,51)

According to Exodus 12:37, the number of Israelites that left Egypt that day were 600,000 men (not including their wives and children). Today there are an estimated 27,000,000 enslaved. God is not deaf or blind to their suffering, and this is our opportunity to be used by Him as displays of HIS glory in proclaiming freedom to those in physical (and spiritual) bondage!

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise [for the Jews] from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

One last note, we should never forget the bondage WE have been freed from! God literally and physically sent His own Son, Jesus Christ to DIE to buy our freedom:

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7)

For more information on modern-day slavery you can check out:

http://www.72daysforfreedom.com

<3

Camp until Now

I know it’s been a really long time since I’ve posted, so here is a really long one to catch up:

Camp was an interesting experience for sure! It was great in that there were 3,241 campers, out of which 647 accepted Christ as their Savior! We were all pretty relieved to be done though! It was a lot of work, hectic schedules and LOTS of people all over campus!! Now that camp is over, there is hardly anyone left on campus outside of PBB and everything is super relaxed. We basically just have class all morning and then 2 hours of work in the afternoon and then we are free the rest of the time!

It’s honestly getting harder and harder to put into words the experience of being here, so I’m sorry if this isn’t the most eloquent and detailed account. The only thing I can really say is that God has been at work, and it’s amazing to watch! Being back this time has been harder just because of different situations and circumstances, but through them God has been teaching me so much and drawing me into deeper dependence on HIM.

Dependence isn’t a word that most people like to use. From the very start we all want to reach independence as quickly as possible; we want to tie our own shoes, pick out our own clothes, and get rid of those training wheels! As we get even older we want to drive our own car to our own job to make our own money to do what we want and this makes us feel in control of our lives. For so long I have clung to this false sense of security; that I was in charge, and that I could do all this by some skill or ability, because I had X amount of dollars in my bank account, or my own means of transportation. As long as I had that I could do what I needed to do and take care of myself. But as soon as I decided to come to Argentina, all that was stripped away. I had to depend on God to get me here which was a huge step. But throughout my time here He has taken away one security blanket after another until I am forced to come to the realization that HE is the one that sustains me (Psalm 55:22). HE is my rock and my fortress (Psalm 18:2).  HE wants me to give all my worries and cares to Him because HE cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), and HE has a great plan for me. Not to harm me but to prosper me, and HE came not just so I could live, but have ABUNDANT life (Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10). So I want to stop fighting for control and just take comfort in the fact that HE has it (because HE always does, even when I think I do).

There are so many other things that He has been showing me, but I think I’ll save some for the next post ;). I will say that some awesome things I’ve been reading that have really been a blessing in my life this module are: The Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young (LOVE THIS!! It literally speaks to me every day and has really helped me prepare for and get through some tough situations!), The Old Testament (I’m doing a chronological read-through of the Bible, and it’s been really awesome!).

Other stuff:

*I started Radical by David Platt. (I only finished the first few chapters, since life is so hectic but I really love it so far!!)

*We took our trip to Uruguay in March for vacation, and it was so amazing! I loved Uruguay, the food, the people, the beaches, everything! It was lovely!!

*Me and two of my girl-friends went to Buenos Aires for a week and had a great time! We saw a lot of the city and got to have a nice break away from campus.

*We started Bible classes in Spanish last week. It is so difficult to stay awake because our schedule is so hectic! We start the day and 6am and don’t stop until about 11pm every day!! It’s nuts! And even when I can make myself stay awake it’s hard to pay attention because it’s in Spanish so it’s so much easier to daydream or be distracted!

Please pray for me that I can stay focused and finish out these last 12 weeks strong, and for the PBB as a whole for direction and wisdom in future decisions.

<3

Campamento 2012!!

Here’s a quick fill-in for those of you who don’t know: I was able to come home for Christmas, which was amazing! I got to spend time with all my family and see a lot of my friends. While home I was able to work just enough to raise the perfect amount to get a buddy-pass. God totally worked everything out perfectly!! I even ended up flying first class on the way here since there were so many open seats!!

I got back on January 5, right in the middle of Kids Camp week. We got all settled in with our room and work assignments, and long story short, I’m rooming with my best friend here and get to work in the “Guaderia” (which is DAYCARE)!!!! So perfect!! Other than getting used to the food again and having my computer and iPod messing up on me all the time everything has been great! J

Last week was the first week of regular camp, and it was awesome!! The first night Joe Jordan (the founder of WOL Argentina) preached and SOOO many people came forward to be saved! It was so amazing to see and just imagine the awesome party going on in Heaven! The second day was Mufa-Pufa (game night) and so we had free-time. On Wednesday there were four break-out sessions to choose from  and then everyone went to the Conference Center to watch Louie Giglio’s “How Great is Our God” video (if you haven’t seen it, you should!!). Thursday night was Missionary Night and they do the Africa production that they did during the Missions Conference. Friday night is the fire night, but I was sick, so I didn’t go to that… Then the campers have their banquet on Saturday night and then leave on Sunday.

This is what is going to be going on every night for the next 3 and a half weeks. In the mornings we always have a chapel service with different speakers and then Spanish class. Spanish is going pretty well for me, depending on the day, time, weather, mood, accent, and amount of caffeine I’ve consumed, etc. lol! Seriously, some days I feel like I’m really improving and other days I feel like I can’t say anything right! (I hear that’s normal though, so I’m not letting it get me too down).

That’s really about it for now. Because of the super-limited free time and the fact that things will pretty much be the same every week, I may not blog until the end of camp unless something super crazy happens. But I’ll be on Facebook still to check-in, and I’ll update ya’ll again at the end of camp!!

Thanks for all your support!

<3