Pray, Play and a Spark of Hope

Only if my interaction with the kids on the street I have met is a temporary bit of joy, happiness and peace for them then my my mission to Cochabamba is being fulfilled. Do I think they will remember the funny lil white girl that plays, dances, loves on them, prays and at times feeds them? Yes I do. The times they have scurried through the city with me, all of us clinched arm to arm locked together.... the looks from the Bolivians!!! If looks could really kill this gringo along with my lil street kiddos would be laid out on a Bolivian street!

Thank the Good Lord He does not look at our outside appearance! Jesus loves ALL His children .... With all of our flaws. Love is helping any person toward Christ.
The lost, hungry, homeless are not just here they are at your back door and mine wherever we are living right now.

Although.... You don't have to wait for a feeling of "love" in order to share Christ with a stranger. The stranger is created by our Heavenly Father but separated from Him. I personally go out to share about Jesus because I love Him and want to share what has so freely been given to me.

At times, even here, I have found myself complaining.... complaining about the simple things that I take for granted.

Philippians 1:29 reminds me
I want to love as Jesus did and be willing to suffer for doing as He did. You see as Paul wrote, suffering is a gift of God.

Arrival in Cochabamba, Bolivia

I am here safely!
"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11 And how true this is.

I arrived in Cochabamba yesterday (Friday) morning. Before I left Charlotte and leading up to the date of my departure I found myself  a bit anxious. I had decided I was going to say "see you in April" instead of "good bye"! Leaving family and friends was more difficult this time..Why? Not sure although as I walked down the terminal I had that  unsurpassing Peace come upon me and  I was reminded of the scripture "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus." Philippians 4:7

After leaving Miami the start of the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia was experiencing much turbulence. My initial thought was what my life was without Jesus very bumpy and unpredictable.  Saying thank you Jesus for saving me will never be enough. I continually remember the source of my Strength and my Provider in ALL things that I do.  My faith must transcend the boundaries of what I see, hear and feel.  

I must say day two here has been great. I feel rested, refreshed and so healthly!!! PTL  I am so looking forward to what God has in store for me. Monday myself and Adam, a year volunteer, will start working with young children at a day school ....not exactly sure of all the ins and outs but I do know that I can't wait to meet, make bonds and share some Jesus with these kiddos even with the language barrier. I will be here for three months so I plan on taking full advantage of all the opportunities that I am presented with or ones I present myself with!

                                                 The Sunrise as my flight is approaching La Paz, Bolivia

                                                        My first view of Cochabamba from the plane

 The Andes Mountains

My roommate Cara! She will be serving for a year here in a clinic as a nurse

 Adam, Shirley, Cara & Myself. We are brother and sisters in Christ.Willing Servants ready to serve Him who gets ALL the Glory!!!
                                               

Almost Ready to Go

It is almost time to go. Transition is never easy.  As I go on this next phase of My Journey or I should say My Journey with God I will be serving within a much different culture. A culture that I am sure I will not always understand but I rest assured God will equip my every need. God contains all comfort and He created me in His image. I therefore have the capacity to be comfortable with Him in any situation he leads me into. Perhaps it can be intimidating but I treasure these opportunities that God is giving me so again I take that step in faith. I know the reward.

I will be serving with Christ For the City International (CFCI). These folks are a blessing in my life! I will be leaving Thursday Jan 10th and arriving in Cochabamba, Bolivia on Friday Jan 11th. I will be returning back to the states on April 8th, 2013. I am super excited, excited to see what God has in store for me. Excited to share Jesus to whomever God puts in my path. Excited to witness God transform lives.

I want to thank each of you for your prayers, I feel these prayers! God is so faithful, loyal and loving but it is a comfort to know my family, friends, supporters, prayer warriors are behind me. I covet your continual prayers. I ask that you pray now for my health (we know I tend to catch all sorts of germs!!) and that I stay 100% healthy while in Bolivia. Please pray also for travel mercies and that I receive the guidance, wisdom and discernment I may need. Lastly pray that I may be a shining beacon to others for I am His Child and one of His deepest desires is to have all His children in His Kingdom.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  Colossians 3:17