After almost 20 years seeking and serving God in Brenham and Chappell Hill, TX communities, God made it very clear to me it was time to start a new chapter. It was time to take a leap of faith to really "follow Him".
About a year and a half ago, January 2013, God began to direct me in a new direction. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was at a Sunday morning worship service. Two of my friends, Dave and Gail, were preparing to leave for Colombia for a short term mission trip. The pastor asked whoever would like to come forward and pray over them to do so. Naturally, I did not hesitate. I wanted God to work through them and watch over them. When I returned to my seat, my best friend looked over at me with tears in her eyes and said, "You need to quit being afraid and go."
My first thought was I had no idea what she was talking about. But deep inside my heart, God was already at work.
Over the next year, I prayed alot about what God desired. He made it very clear through his Word and within my own heart that as long as I was burdened with material things, I would be going nowhere. So, I began to purge. As soon as I thought I was done purging, I could almost hear God laughing and feel Him smiling. I was nowhere near done. So, the journey continued.
I continued in the ministry God had laid before me many years before. Working at a crisis pregnancy center, serving in the church with the youth, going on short term mission trips to the South Texas border, and just helping where needed.
In the meantime, God prepared my heart to leave friends and family and a city I grew up in and had lived all my life. I began to not quite feel "at home" anymore. I dreamed of where and what God would lay before me and where He would have me go. Over and over again, God spoke through his word, "Follow Me." Countless times, in Bible study, sermons, devotion time, and just reading the Bible, God used the verses to draw me to follow him completely - whenever and wherever He chose.
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, …
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, …
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, …
Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the …
Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, …
Luke 9:59 And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first …
John 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, …
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall …
So, I finally relented and said, "Okay, Lord, I will follow. But where is it I am supposed to follow you to?" This began a new prayer. Where? Then, wouldn't you know, the next scripture I read was Genesis 12:1, "The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you." God did not tell Abram where he was going, just to go. Okay...so what does that look like exactly? Do I just pack a bag, get in the car and drive away?
Not exactly.
In January 2014, a missionary spoke at our church. He shared many stories from the mission field. Stories that really touched my heart. At the end of the service was an invitation to go to the front and pray or share with the pastor. Well, my heart was about to beat out of my chest! And if I've learned anything over the past 19 years of being a Christian, it is that that feeling came directly from the Holy Spirit. So, I went forward. All I could tell Pastor was that it was time. God was leading me to a new mission field. I just didn't know where. He had me share with the congregation so that they could pray for me.
Just after service was over, my friends, Dave and Gail, invited me to attend a meeting that afternoon about a short term mission trip to Bogota, Colombia. Sure, I will go...to the meeting. Not committing to anything, just to listen. Well, that was the beginning of the path God had. I did go on the trip and fell in love with Colombia. I returned feeling very strongly that Colombia would be my new mission field.
But, months went by with no further direction. The more time went by, the more I began to question my initial thoughts. Over and over, God made it clear it would all be in his time. Be patient... okay.
Another trip was planned to Bogota for June. Just a few weeks prior to the trip, I decided I needed to go and God would provide the finances. And, of course, he did. It was this trip that really grabbed my heart. The poverty and the need of so many people seemed considerably overwhelming. What could I possibly do to help? Where would I even begin?
Then, God brought it into focus. "Begin with this one - the one I put in front of you." And because of the Godly people and the awesome work that was already being done, I knew that I would not be alone. I desired to help my Colombian brothers and sisters in Christ in the great task before them.
It was very clear that week that upon returning to the states, I needed to sell my house and prepare to return, soon.
Then God laid it on my mom's heart to buy my house and move back to Washington County. God was preparing a new chapter for her as well. Just this last weekend, she "officially" moved in.
So, doors were opening, quickly. The organization that Dave and Gail work with, Sparrow International, was in need of a "house mom" for a safe house in Bogota. Hmmm. God was opening doors.
The safe house, Casa Egreso, consists of three young ladies, with two more on the way, who have spent most of their childhood in an orphanage or institution of some sort. When they turn 18, they have to leave. So what happens if they have no place to go? Well, you can only imagine... At Casa Egreso, they have a safe place to live while they attend college or technical school and work. There is a process and guidelines they must follow, but it is a place to help them become the person God has designed them to be. A place where they know they are loved. A place where they can learn what it means to live in the world. And prayerfully, a place where they come to know the One who loves them the most.
So, here I am.
Over the last 5 weeks, I have learned so much...and I am not just referring to my Spanish. I have had many opportunities to minister in this city. I have met some amazing Christ followers that I am honored to call brother and sister. This is only the beginning.
In my next post I will do my best to catch you up on all that has happened because I have a feeling the flood gates are about to bust. I am so excited and blessed and humbled that God has allowed me to be here. To be a part of something far greater than I ever anticipated.
He knows our deepest desires. He knows our thoughts. He desires so much more than we can ever dream. Open up to all He has for you. Don't put it off another day! In Christ there is freedom. Give it all to God - ALL!
