Monday

Monday means that school is back in session! Today we went to our favorite school in Ciudad Bolivar, the poorest region of Bogota. Immediately, the kids filed out of their classes paper in hand seeking our autographs. Still there were some that had us sign their arms. Some had us do both. We arrived for their snack time so we go to hang out for a bit. Language barriers are hard, but iPhones continue to be everyone's favorite. I'll to post some pics soon. Today was focused on the younger kids, pre-k to fifth. We will return Wednesday to see the high schoolers.
We started by performing our dramas. The kids enjoyed them and cheered for Jesus when he rose from the dead. That is one of the best sounds I will ever hear. After that we broke into classrooms to work on teaching English. In my room we threw around a soccer ball to practice saying our favorite things. Then we did a short question and answer time. The kids were a little crazy, but I just love to be in the classroom.
After the class, we walked down to a nearby park for PE time. There was soccer, volleyball, and basketball all on one court. I played some volleyball but it turned into hit the ball as hard as you can and chase it down. I quickly tired of the game and went to sit in the slight shade of a building (This is my second day to get sunburned).
A few minutes later, a couple of the girls from my class came to sit with me. In their small amount of English, they started the conversation. I have never taken a Spanish class and have no confidence in my speaking abilities. But as they put forth great effort to interact, I decided I needed to give it my best. As I began to piece together all the phrases I know, it soon became, teach Elisabeth Spanish. Their patience, especially that of Donei, was so touching. As I repeatedly asked the same questions and continually mispronounced words, they not only put up with it but encouraged me along the way. All because they wanted to talk to me. It makes me feel a little selfish for never trying harder before. Sure, I took 4 years of Latin, that's a legitimate excuse. But had I tried harder sooner, who knows where I could be. All these kids want is our attention for the few hours we are there. Of course I have found other ways to do this, but verbal communication and praise are the easiest ways to show God's love.
A little convicted today. Tomorrow is Avivamiento school, another favorite. For now, our students are skyping their parents and we will soon be off to grocery store to shop for some snacks and then back to Crepes and Waffles.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Carrera 50,Bogotá,Colombia

Sunday

We attended Avivamiento again today. I didn't think I would have much to say after Friday's service, but that church never ceases to amaze me. The service lasted almost 4 hours again.
It started normally with passionate worship. They did some of the same songs from Friday which made it easier to pick up on them. Then the healing part was again powerful. The deaf hear, the lame walk, feeling restored, pain eliminated. Then Pastor Ricardo's oldest son gave the salvation call again. They purposefully do this mid service immediately after the healing so that the people can see and experience God's immense power then accept him as their Savior. It was the same as Friday but I actually got to hear the translation. Then offering along with a testimony about the rewards of faithful tithing. Pastor Ricardo began his message giving his passage of choice. Then he made an announcement about the CD they recorded live at Avivamiento and produced. It is called Enfermo de Amor. I would highly recommend purchasing it off iTunes. Pastor Ricardo said, let's worship, and as the worship team and orchestra began again, he went down to pray over them, claiming them to be addicts of the Holy Spirit and sick with love, the title of the CD. They were completely overcome by the Spirit, many falling to the floor or weeping at their instrument. It was so powerful. Pastor walked back on stage but almost immediately walked back down to pray over the many pastors from different countries that were in attendance and sitting in our section. He claimed the same thing over their lives. As he finally walked back to the pulpit to once again begin his message, he proudly proclaimed, This is why we don't have a set schedule. We let the Holy Spirit direct our course. So so inspiring.
This message was extremely powerful. He spoke on David and Goliath. David was literally facing a giant in his life. We also face giants in our lives. However, God anointed David to defeat his giants and the Word of the Lord is a stone in our hand to throw at the enemy. For three reasons God allows giants into our lives: so all the earth will know there is a God in heaven, he wants to show that he does not save by javelin or sword, but by mighty spiritual weapons, and he wants to teach that the battle is his. The crowd reacted with fiery passion. It was incredible. There was alot of jumping up and down and shouting of amen.
All the pastors were taken on stage and prayed for. We were brought up late and were taken backstage where Pastor Ricardo personally greeted us and encouraged to take hold of the word spoken today and claim it in our lives. He laid hands on us and once again, we quickly found the floor. On the bus ride to lunch, our team was bubbling with the joy of the Spirit. We went to Carbon de Palo, an amazing steak restaurant where hardly anyone could finish the large portions. We finally arrived to our Colombian home around 5 (yes, church and lunch lasted from 8 to 5). We are trying to rest up for the next few packed days. If only we wouldn't stay up so late playing signs and other games. Tonight the rest of our team joins us after attending the state tournament this weekend!! Tomorrow is our all time favorite school. Looking forward to it!!

Saturday

It has been a beautiful day in Bogota. We went to Pastor Samuel's church to help with their free medical clinic. First, we paired up with some of the youth from the church to knock on doors and pass out flyers about the clinic. The two girls I was partnered with strongly encouraged me to speak Spanish to tell the people about the clinic. I had a hard time explaining that I do not know Spanish. I know many basic words and phrases. But I have no understanding of grammar or words uncommon to a tourist, like medical terms.
After we handed out all our flyers, we went back to the church and got to get to know the teens. It was a little rough with the language barrier. Thankfully, their English is much better than my Spanish. Since not many children had come for us to play with, Pastor Samuel took us to the top of the a hill that over looks all of Suba, the district of Colombia where the church is. It was quite a hike to the top, made even more difficult by the severe altitude change between Texas and Colombia. Once to the top, the pastor shared his vision to see every person in the district, one of the largest in Bogota, ministered to through his church. That Impacto would be a church with out walls. We were given to opportunity to agree with him in prayer and pray blessing over him, his family, and his ministry. It was powerful.
We went back to the church for a delicious steak lunch. Then enough children had arrived to perform our dramas. They thoroughly enjoyed both he comedy and the serious one. We came back to the church to get some rest after our late night. Soon we will be off to Crepes and Waffles, everyone's favorite restaurant.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Carrera 50,Bogotá,Colombia

Friday

Today was wonderful. We went to a new school called Jesus of Nazareth. The principal is a lovely woman with unmatched passion and love. She is truly an inspiration. Her school has pre-k thru 7th grade. After some jump rope competitions, we performed both of our dramas, which the kids loved. We split up into the 5 different classes. I was in the older class with the 6th and 7th graders. With the help of a translator, we shared a little about who we are, our families, our schools, and what God has done in our lives. After, I sneaked into the pre-k class to help with lunch. They were so precious. I picked up a little girl who looked sad. At first she was a little tense. I pulled out the ultimate icebreaker, my iPhone, and took a picture of her. When I showed it to her, she brightened up and pointed to it saying it was her. After that she snuggled into me. When I had to leave, she started to cry which of course made me cry. They served us a delicious lunch of soup, rice, beef,and potatoes. After lunch, we go to play with the kids more. Our Congo line quickly turned into running in circles until someone falls. We left the school and returned to the church for a couple hours rest.
Tonight we had two awesome opportunities. One was to help lead a youth service at a foursquare church led by Pastor Samuel. The other was to attend the 19th anniversary of the Pentecost of Avivamiento, the largest church in South America. Due to strong relationships with both pastors, we divided the group, sending pastor Cody and 2 students with Pastor Samuel and the rest of us attending Avivamiento.
Avivamiento is one of those experiences that is nearly impossible to explain. 3 1/2 hours, over 25,000 people, ear drum bursting music, jumping, dancing, flag waving, and the Holy Spirit flowing unhindered. It was incredible. First, worship, then healing, salvation call, offering, communion, and the message. Sadly, my translator headset died before worship ended so I didn't catch much of what was said. Pastor Ricardo spoke on Isaiah 43:19. They sang Let it Rain in Spanish which was powerful. Of course, it all ended with our trip on stage where Pastor Ricardo laid hands on us and we quickly found the floor. So crazy, even for my 4th trip to Aviva.
Fantastic day. Looking forward to tomorrow!! Pray for rest and divine appointments.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Carrera 50,Bogotá,Colombia

We are here!!

Hello from Bogota!! We made it safe and sound! Thank you for all your prayers. We only had one minor delay. Tomorrow we start bright and early at a school we haven't been to before. We may attend a youth service at Avivemiento tomorrow night. So excited to finally be here!! And the wifi is a little spotty here at the church. So I'll post as often as I can. ~ Elisabeth
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Carrera 50,Bogotá,Colombia

I can't believe it's here...

I leave TOMORROW morning. Unbelievable. These past two week have been an absolute whirlwind with tests, events, retreats, meetings, and no sleep. And now I'm leaving the country in less than 24hrs. WHHHAAATTT????
Oh, and by the way...... I'M FULLLLYYY FUNDED!!!!!! I turned in my last checks yesterday! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who gave and to all who prayed for my finances. Being fully funded further confirms my purpose on this trip.
A few prayer requests:

• Safe travels
• Good health
• Team unity
• Prepared hearts and minds for those going and for those we will reach
• Divine appointments
• God-perfected schedules while we are down there
• Packing tonight... I haven't started
• Continued financial support for others on the trip (If you still want to give or would like to give again, you can take a check to the Trinity Church offices with Bogota in the memo line)

That's all I can think of right now. I hope my blog to update regularly. No promises.
Also, a verse God has given me for this trip is Isaiah 61:1. Please claim this with me:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners."

Love you all!!! I can't wait to share all about what God is doing in the hearts and lives of all involved. Thanks for reading and believing with me. - Elisabeth

19 days and counting!!

19 days until I leave!!! I cannot believe it's so close! 
The day after I posted the last blog which you can read here, I received $400 dollars in the mail!!! I am currently over 75% funded!! I knew if I approached God with trust and expectancy, He, in His everlasting faithfulness, would act on my behalf. Any doubt that I shouldn't go on the trip was instantly erased. Now I know for sure that God has so much in store for me in Bogota. 
Prayer Requests:

• Continued financial support not only for me but for all others raising support
• Favor in my schoolwork with my professors
• Prepare our hearts and minds for the things we will see and the people we will encounter
• Wisdom for all the leaders in planning and preparation
• Health and safety before and during the trip
• Unity in the teams

Thanks for reading and believing with me!! - Elisabeth