Projects

I had the privilege of traveling with HELP International and Jean Kaye Wilson to Jinja Uganda. There were 2 other wonderful ladies that joined us for the 2 weeks. We had a variety of ministry opportunities throughout our stay.

Our team of 6 from northern Colorado joined a few other Americans for a week of ministry in Medellin, Colombia.

Representing 10 different states, our team of 18 crossed the border from El Paso Texas into Juarez Mexico with the expectation that God wanted to do something good.

I got to visit Uganda again this year and follow up on things God has started. A primary focus for us at Come Alive is the children at the refugee camp, Rhino Camp.

In April, I traveled to South Africa with a team of folks from different nations. We partnered with churches to see people encounter Jesus.

What a wonderful week spent in Medellin Colombia! I have had the privilege of ministering there many times, in fact this was my fifth year in a row to travel there. It has quickly become one of my favorite places in the world!

Our team of 11 spent a week in the beautiful land of Italy. The majority of our time was in the Padova region, about an hour outside Venice. We ministered in 3 different churches, teaching and equipping the believers in areas like : praying for the sick, moving in prophecy, dream interpretation, etc. It is an honor to come along side believers in Italy, and give them some tools to use in accomplishing God's purpose for them. It was my first time in Europe, and the Venice area is stunning. So much history and beautiful architecture to behold.

As we prepare for our upcoming trip to Africa, there are many details to cover. Not only does our team meet together to talk about things and pray together, but also individually, we are seeking the Lord for what He wants to accomplish through us and in us. Anytime we step out for a short term mission trip, it's more than just the nation we're going to ...or the project before us. It's about the Kingdom. What does the Kingdom of God have in store for Malawi...and for Botswana? We must tune in to that particular heartbeat of Heaven and partner with the Lord in those details. Anything else would simply be our agenda. Yes...some things may get done through an agenda, but wouldn't it be better to get God's perspective on things, and simply jump on board with what He is doing? That sounds like a much better plan...one that would be successful. Hmmm...maybe that's a key...what is God's idea of "success"? It's not about how many 'things' we can do, but it's about hearing Him...obeying Him...following Him... It's about loving Him...loving the ones He puts in our path.. It's about praising Him...honoring Him... Sounds like true success is pretty much about Jesus. I think that's a good thing to remember as we pray and prepare for this trip. So as you pray for our team...maybe you could pray that we will really be "successful".

The first week of December I had the privilege of traveling to Heredia, Costa Rica. I was asked to join a team from Vibrant Life Ministries in hosting two women’s retreats.

Our team of 7 people from northern Colorado had the privilege of partnering with missionaries, Carlos and Raisa Sanchez.

Five of us from northern Colorado joined a few others from around the U.S for the week, and partnered with 911 Life in Medellin Colombia.

We had a great time in Medellin Colombia with our missionary friends Tom & Jen Atwater.

I had the privilege of traveling to Uganda in December. It was a diverse trip, and brought me many new experiences.

The week of March 10 - 17, I had the privilege of serving the "forgotten" people in the Amazon River basin area of Brazil. I was with team members from Colorado, North Dakota, and from Texas...and we partnered with the organization, Amazon Outreach. Our team included a doctor, two dentists, a pharmacist, four nurses, and a bunch of people who simply wanted to serve in any way possible. With so many medically trained personnel, we were able to hold clinics every day, and provide much needed care to people who simply don't have access to it. But in addition to this, there were many other practical ways of serving the people. We connected with the women of the village by painting fingernails, and talking about life. In these times, we also shared the Word of God and released the love of Jesus to them. While we were doing this, the men on our team were connecting with men from the village. They handed out fishing gear, and tools, and flashlights... Simply giving them little things that you and I often take for granted. Another aspect of the ministry was providing a bucket/water filtration system to those who did not have access to a well or clean water. Water is so simple...so basic...so necessary. We cannot live without it. So for us to help provide that to these villages was such a blessing. We gave out many gifts! And our young people on the team had a blast connecting with the kids in each village, whether by blowing bubbles or coloring, or doing VBS-type activities. No one was to young to contribute! Each person played a valuable part on the team. Even though the week gave us many learning opportunities, we were blessed through this adventure. It's unlike anything I've ever done, and I'm so grateful that God let me be on this team.

Our team spent several days in Nsanje Malawi, an area of severe poverty. Working with a local pastor, we ministered to women and children of the surrounding villages. The women came from different directions...some on foot...some came in large trucks that had gone out to the villages to provide transpo rtation. They spent the three days at the church property, sleeping in the church at night, and cooking outside under the trees during the day. Kids were playing outside, curious about our every move, and swarming us the minute we got close to them. Even though it's the "winter" season there, it was still plenty of warm...but very dry. At times the dust seemed to be the only thing we were breathing in. But in this environment, we got to speak life into these wonderful women for three days. Their culture tends to oppress women and not place much value on them. So we were honored to come in and simply r elease God's heart for them, emphasizing their importance in the kingdom of God, and teaching true identity. During this teaching time, other BRAVE team members played games with the kids, and tried to teach simple Bible stories. There was also some time to work with local construction workers on roof repairs. The project wasn't completed during our time there, but at least it was started, and the local carpenters will finish it. We traveled on to Botswana and partnered with local missionaries there. Our work project was to put down tile on the floor of one of the rooms in their rescue house for kids. It was a fairly large room, and is used as the primary sleeping area for kids that have been rescued out of bad situations by the government. Some of the children have physical disabilities...some are still babies...but all are beautiful and precious in God's sight. Because they are children who are "at risk", we were told to not take their photos, but rest assured...they would steal your heart. Our team got about 75% of the tile down in that room, which was pretty good, considering most of us had never done this before. Our two local "instructors" would finish up the project the next day. The kingdom of God is diverse. The body of Christ is literally spread across this globe, and every now and then, I get the privilege of traveling to a new place and meeting members of this great family. There isn't anything else like it. When Christians from one culture are willing to step into another...every life is enriched with the common bond of God's love and grace. Through this trip to Africa, one thing that was impressed upon me the most was how important it is to bridge the gaps between the different parts of the body of Christ. Whether it's nations or neighborhoods - there is such value in realizing we are all connected - we have one Savior - we have the common bond of the shed blood of Jesus. What an honor to come along side our African brothers and sisters to encourage them, to spend time with them, to learn from them, to simply worship our God together with one voice. My life is better because of it.

Beautiful city, Medellin. We took the cable car up to the overlook, and are able to see the city spread out for miles in the valley below. God is bringing transformation to this city! We will be leaving Colombia tomorrow morning, headed back home. It's always a bittersweet thing - we're tired and ready to come home, but at the same time, we have enjoyed the Kingdom work here and have been super blessed. One of the things I always bring home is a greater appreciation for the body of Christ and how each person is connected to the other. We have team members from numerous US states, as well as other countries, and we had the privilege of partnering with Colombians for what God wants to do in this country. It's a Kingdom perspective… and a reminder that God's work is so much bigger than me. I am daily challenged to keep my eyes on Jesus and not limit Him to my plans or ideas. His ways are always higher - and better. So the best thing I can do is simply to go where He goes, and do what He does.