Freedom…from atop a Spanish Palm Tree!

So it’s been another few weeks here, and day by day it’s finally beginning to get warm. I cannot wait for the days when the sun is out and I don’t need a jacket! Of course, then I might be wishing for some shade and coolness, but I’m thinking there should be nice steady breezes to break the hot days.

A couple weekends ago all the students, teachers, and several students from the other Bible school spent the morning cleaning and clearing out the yard here at Los Grillos. Let me just say right now that it was a disaster, but now it looks like it has so much potential. There is space for a great garden, which we’ll start working on soon. We are “bringing dead things to life” as Andrew Shearman is beginning to drill into me! and we’re just starting with the yard and garden!

Last week, I had an interesting day; there was a bit of tension throughout the day, just a sense of “blah” over a few things. I had been fine for most of the day, just praying through the somberness and blahness, but then it finally just hit me after dinner. I hated it! I just stormed around the room and down the stairs to get my laundry from outside, then back upstairs to my balcony. I just felt like yelling, releasing love and freedom and breaking the spirit of heaviness over me and whatever else. Well, I eventually did yell. Then my friend Robby said to stand on the desk that is on our balcony, and yell even louder. Instead, I decided to step off the balcony onto the top of a dead (and flat) Spanish palm tree that is only a couple feet from our balcony. So I did. I climbed off and knelt on the top of this tree with my arms open to God and just yelled my heart to Him. A cry of FREEDOM! A cry of PRAISE! I cry of LOVE! It was one of the most beautiful and freeing things I have ever done! Amidst my yells and prayers I just could not hold in the laughter and joy that was filling my heart! My anger and frustration were disappearing and being replaced with His unexplainable and undeniable Love and Joy! Thank You Jesus for times to call forth Your Freedom and for breaking through heaviness to bring Your Light and Love!

My time here at G42 is definitely where I am supposed to be right now. He picked me up from the middle of school and life, and brought me here. In the past I had yearned for community living, with people who care and love and aren’t afraid to speak their minds, but with love. God has answered this prayer. The community of people that I am with is wonderful! Since I am the youngest, I do feel like all the others have been pouring into me and sharing life experiences with me that are helping me grow and learn. I’m also really enjoying the class times, the most recent topic that we’ve been discussing is about covenants. Covenants that God has made with man, and covenants that men have, should, will make with each other. All our class times and discussions are wonderful, and making me really think about what God is teaching me and where He is leading me.

Though I don’t yet feel adequate expressing specific points that I’ve learned, I do already know that God is preparing me for an incredible life that is full of Him and giving Glory to Him and sharing His Love with others! The months here are getting me ready for a future of adventure and abundant life! I know that things won’t always be easy, but I’m striving to learn how to face the tough times in ways that focus on bringing Glory to God and not center around my own downfalls and struggles.

I appreciate you and your prayers so much! I know without a doubt that I have so many of you praying for me back home, and I am all the better for it! If you would like to support me in any other ways, please pray about it. I’d be blessed with anything that you have to give me, whether they are words of encouragement and prayer or money to stay here. I know that God will provide the means for me be here, as well as for several of my friends. He is in complete control–something I am learning more each day! If you would like to support me, you can send any checks to my Dad back home, and he will make sure that it gets to me, or you can make give online here. Just make sure you select student support and type my name.

I love you all and am so grateful for your love and support!

Advertisement