Author: Adventures

So Many Churches, So Little Time

Before this trip, when I would ask what kind of church someone attends, I only thought of answers such as Methodist, Catholic, Mormon, Presbyterian and other answers of the sort. Little did I know that varieties of churches expand far beyond denomination. So I have decided to dedicate this blog to tell you about all of the different kinds of churches I have attended here in Guatemala (and in the last 4 days in Honduras). We attend El Calvario on a fairly regular basis. For the most part, this church is like a lot of churches back at home (However, not air conditioned…) except for...

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Baptism Video: Fulfilling The Great Commission

Hey, thank you guys for all your support and prayers! The last weeks of Oct have been amazing and God has shown up in so manys. This week's blog will be a video clip of a baptism that I was able to assist the center's youth pastor, Sothea, in performing. The girl, Strapow, is one of the girls that I mentioned in a previous blog that accepted Christ when I first came to Battambang and shared the story of the gospel. It has been amazing to see her growth and her desire to know the Lord. I am honored to be a part of this baptism, and it will be something I hold in my heart forever....

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Combating Fear: The First Step Towards Justice

There are many things at the heart of injustice—but fear is definitely at the root.  Think about this: How often is fear the motivator of our actions?  So often, we have anxieties—big and small—that prompt the way we act and react to everyday circumstances.  How often do we choose our words or our actions according to what others will think of us or according to what may happen to us?  If we answered honestly, each of us is tempted with this—from the girl looking at her closet deciding what to wear in front of her peers, to the legislators who...

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My God is Unchanging and Eternally Beautiful

After coming home from Siem Reap and spending time there observing their night life and the interactions occurring between the people there my mind was paralyzed. Hannah and I found ourselves physically drained from the night for days after and not in a natural way. Our bodies and minds were run down from the spiritual heaviness.  Hannah is a woman of grace and she seemed to handle it better than I (That is something about her I always sit back and truly appreciate.) I on the other hand did not. My mind became a maze of thought trails that began to tangle with each other. Instead of...

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Once More

"Everything is beautiful, even when the tears are falling. I don't need a miracle to believe." There are days when all you see in life simply seems like more than you can handle. You feel so alone in your struggle, and all you can muster up among the tears is a weak mental cry to God to take away the pain in your heart and wrap his arms around you in the midst of a broken, loveless world. In these moments, the Holy Spirit comes, in ever his ever so gentle manner, and holds you close and renews your strength once more. Once more, he assures you that you are loved. Once more,...

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Giving Huah A Bath

Earlier this week I was sitting in our morning devotion and the little boy Huah who normally hangs out at the center came and sat on my lap. I was unpleasantly surprised by the stench of Urine when he sat on my lap. Huah is a typical dirty boy, always playing in the dirt and running around but that day was different, no kidding he smelt like straight urine. We decided that he needed a bath so my teammate Sarah and I got a towel and some Shampoo and then I picked him up and we headed for the shower area. Little Huah took his shirt off then being a modest mouse refused to take his pants off...

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Satan, Sex and Saving Grace

The darkness is overwhelming. As I stand on the rooftop of my hotel and gaze into the blackest night, I can see the fluorescent flashing lights and hear the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP of the music coming from five local brothels around me. As I gaze down on the rows of young women, most of them my age or younger, who are dressed up to be bought for sex, I hear the lyrics of the worship music playing behind me: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me… My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, My God, my Savior has ransomed me, And like a flood, His...

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“This Little Light of Mine…”

     So, recently, our team has kind of "adopted" a cute, children's song most of you are probably familiar with, "This Little Light of Mine". We bust out in this song whenever we can… whether we are riding in the tuk tuk or attending Friday night worship at the center. We have begun creating our own verses, and I even find myself narrating my life to the tune of this song! ("Brushing my teeth in the morning, I'm gonna let it shine…" or "Riding in mr. Seng's tuk tuk, we're gonna let it...

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My Enemies All Around Me

I feel pressed on every side. I hear the loud whispers from my enemy: "You can't do it! You suck! You are a loser! You have been forsaken! Go home! Do it, go home! You have failed! Your passion is gone! Nothing you do is good enough! Your Father doesn't want you! God doesn't love you! Look around! He's not even here!!" And on they go. They sound so real; so true at times. I think about who God says I am and lately they seem so farfetched. I feel like David in Psalm 31: "Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with...

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Top 5 Moments of the Week in Pictures

1. Tennis! During sport's ministry, our Pastor knew I liked tennis so he talked with the tennis instructor at the complex, and he let me play. It was a very unexpected treat! 2. Outdoor Church Service on Friday and Saturday At the church service, I met these two adorable and sweet girls. Cesia, the girl on the right, was patient with my Spanish speaking skills, and we are able to have a good and long conversation. They bought me a lollipop and Cesia gave me her bracelet. 3. (Little) Cliff Jumping and Swimming in the River Friends of the pastor we work with wanted to bless...

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Open Arms Acceptance

I don’t think there is a better way of meeting someone with the person’s arms wide open for you. There is not a trace of judgment. Nothing at all negative. Solely embracing you for who are and that you are there. They don’t care about the shoes you are wearing or your big ears. They want you because you are YOU. That is how all the little kids are that I have met here in Guatemala. Spending time with them, I feel accepted, wanted, and loved. It fills me up just conversing and having fun with them. The other day, we went to a school and each of the Americans paired up...

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