here in Juarez we have one more day of minisrty. Our two week seminar is coming to a close and our students are presenting there 3 minute final projects. They have all worked so hard. Sometimes the students were frusterated about the dance classes but all of them tried there best. This is such an act of spiritual warfare. When people step out of fear and try new and werid things it is a stand against Satan. The enemy wants people to let fear hold them back, some of the students were well over 60 but they were doing all the hip hop moves and trying the break dance moves. This is such an awesome act of faith and trust in God I am so encouraged by their faith and confidence in God they truly depend on Him and trust He can carry them through anything. I will be so sad to say goodbye next week but I believe God has used us to bring a new and refreshing view of the arts to this base. During this weekend we will be debriefing about the school and doing a few more bonding activities together before we go out to our homes all over the world. Please pray for our students for tomorrow that they would continue to step out in faith after we have left and work in the performing Arts. Also please pray for my many friends in this school that God would give them clear direction in the next part of their lives to get specific please pray for.... Chan Min, Gohoon, Jen, Hannah, Sarah, Lizzie, Bryan, Vanessa, Sebastian, and Daniel. Many of them are unsure of the future and have the whole world at their feet. Please pray for guidence and Gods will in their lives. I love them very much and I am so blessed to have traveled down this road alongside such humble and willing brothers and sisters in Chirst!
Maryland here I come!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Made it to Juarez
Yesterday we made it to Juarez. The plan for our time here is to do a ten day performing arts seminar. I will be teaching about creating warm ups and 3 hours of hip hop training. The base here is very excited about learning and we have a lot to share. The base here also runs an orphanage so we will be spending time with the children ther and possibly teaching dance there as well. I am really relaxed here Juarez is really dry dessert and often they have sand storms, and even though that does not sopund very appealing, I love it here. We have a lot of land to wlak and the sky is full of stars at night. I enjoy city life but it here we feel the presence of Gods peace. we are alsoi really happy becasue we spen the last 3 weeks sleeping on the floor and here we have amazing cozy beds and my back is really happy. I am glad this is our closing time of outreach we are ready for God to keep growing us and as always change us to be more like him.
something interesting that happened today... We had a time of intercession this mornig about Juarez. people say this is the most dangerous city in the world with the drug cratel and murder rate, but I thought about it today, maybe the stats are against this place but I feel realy at peace here. During our prayer time I felt God reminding me to again, believe the truth, maybe because so many people over react and speak negativly about this city is influencing its citizens. When people talk about something enough it can sometimes become the truth, that maybe people act on evil impulse becasue it is what they are expected to do. So my prayer is to stop looking at the bad or dangerous but expect Gods good here and look at the beauty in this place and remember Jaurez is Gods city, His plan is very powerful for this place.
Living here and now, but remembering home in my heart....
something interesting that happened today... We had a time of intercession this mornig about Juarez. people say this is the most dangerous city in the world with the drug cratel and murder rate, but I thought about it today, maybe the stats are against this place but I feel realy at peace here. During our prayer time I felt God reminding me to again, believe the truth, maybe because so many people over react and speak negativly about this city is influencing its citizens. When people talk about something enough it can sometimes become the truth, that maybe people act on evil impulse becasue it is what they are expected to do. So my prayer is to stop looking at the bad or dangerous but expect Gods good here and look at the beauty in this place and remember Jaurez is Gods city, His plan is very powerful for this place.
Living here and now, but remembering home in my heart....
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
hello all. Mexico City has been a blast we have been doing performing arts seminars and evangelistic outreach performances for the past two weeks non stop. We have seen God do so much and people in Mexico really have a desire to learn more about the arts and using them as a tool to spread the gospel. Last week we traveled to Tulca Mexico and worked with a University there. We did a two day seminar teaching dances and children's ministry and then performed for a small community and government officials. we have been so blessed to be able to perform so much and be in contact with leaders of this nation.
On Saturday we are leaving for Juarez Mexico. We will be living on the YWAM base there and teaching in some churches in the area. The leaders have made it clear we will be really busy there so for the next few days we are taking it slow in the city. Today we did a prayer walk through the town and explored more of our community. we are living in a home.
Tonight some of our leaders are heading back to Korea and Hong Kong for a conference. Our team is losing 4 members, but we know God still has a plan for us in Juarez. God keeps changing the dynamics of our team and its keeping us flexible. we really go with the flow and keep fighting for God's will to be done in and through us.
On Saturday we are leaving for Juarez Mexico. We will be living on the YWAM base there and teaching in some churches in the area. The leaders have made it clear we will be really busy there so for the next few days we are taking it slow in the city. Today we did a prayer walk through the town and explored more of our community. we are living in a home.
Tonight some of our leaders are heading back to Korea and Hong Kong for a conference. Our team is losing 4 members, but we know God still has a plan for us in Juarez. God keeps changing the dynamics of our team and its keeping us flexible. we really go with the flow and keep fighting for God's will to be done in and through us.
Monday, April 25, 2011
One Crazy Day!
Today we went to a church about 45 minutes of of the city. We did a three hour seminar on performing arts. Some of our team taught children to dance and the other half gave a lecture. Me and two other leaders spoke on Evangelism. We talked about what it is why it is so important and the many forms and misconceptions that can happen while sharing the gospel. I was really nervous before I went on but God once again gave me the grace to keep going. After we had finished our teaching the church feed us some amazing food. The woman in charge of the churches event shared with us a little about that area of Mexico. She told us how grateful she was that we were there giving our time. She told us we could be anywhere in the world working for ourselves, but we have chosen to be there impacting their children. She told us that her passion is to make a Godly impact on kids lives before the drug cartel situation does. Apparently drug lords have begun recruiting children early so they can pass through the border with less trouble and security checks. She also told us how many children have been kidnapped in the area. They were so kind and so welcoming to our team. It really humbles me to be apart of making a Godly impact in this church and with these adorable children. We will be spending the rest of the week teaching and hopefully this weekend we will be holding a free concert to perform and evangelize.
On our way to the church today we faced many complications. We could not use on of our vehicles so we had 15 people in a 7 passenger van driving in the heat and traffic with no AC. We had a tire randomly come off the wheel of the car, we got lost on the way, and we had to drive through a really bad smelling construction site. We also had a few team members that were really sick. Also, on the way home we were stopped by a police officer. we turned on a one way street while we were lost. He pulled us over and threatened us saying he wanted a bribe or we would fine us and take us to the station. We prayed for about 20 minutes and then our school leader meet up with us while we were pulled over. She was able to speak with him and he allowed us to go free. This was a really scary situation and a perfect example of the corruption living in this country. We know all of these complications were an attack from satan. God has a great plan for us in this church and we can feel the strongholds breaking. We will continue to pray for God's power and provision to be on our team. I was a really intense day but we know the Lord is at work!
Ephesians 6;18
On our way to the church today we faced many complications. We could not use on of our vehicles so we had 15 people in a 7 passenger van driving in the heat and traffic with no AC. We had a tire randomly come off the wheel of the car, we got lost on the way, and we had to drive through a really bad smelling construction site. We also had a few team members that were really sick. Also, on the way home we were stopped by a police officer. we turned on a one way street while we were lost. He pulled us over and threatened us saying he wanted a bribe or we would fine us and take us to the station. We prayed for about 20 minutes and then our school leader meet up with us while we were pulled over. She was able to speak with him and he allowed us to go free. This was a really scary situation and a perfect example of the corruption living in this country. We know all of these complications were an attack from satan. God has a great plan for us in this church and we can feel the strongholds breaking. We will continue to pray for God's power and provision to be on our team. I was a really intense day but we know the Lord is at work!
Ephesians 6;18
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Mexico City
Today we flew out of Cancun and into Mexico City. God did so much good in us in Cancun! Our classmate Damaris works with Youth With A Mission Cancun so she is now back to serving there and will not be on the rest of outreach. We were able to pray for her and bring closer to here experience with us. I believe God will do more with her life and the performing arts. The rehab center we visited was amazing I was able to share my testimony and really encourage some moms who were there and pray for them.
Mexico City is little different from the beach. I really feel submersed into the culture here. We are going to be resting for the next two days and then I believe next saturday we are putting on a concert and showing all of our dramas and dances. I have also been asked to teach with my friend Jen in Evangelism. We spent a lot of time praying and were going to focus on why we should evangelize and the importance in sharing the whole gospel. A lot of times especially in my own culture we want to share with non believers only about God's love and desire for us, yet we leave out the reality of hell and the desperation we are stuck in by our own sin and human nature. It takes courge to share these things and to teach. I really want to speak God's message and not my own so we will see how it goes.
Hopefully I will be able to sned more updates about our time here! PLease pray for housing there are a few days towards the end of our time here we don't have a place yet, God met our needs in Cancun and we are confident he will do it again here. The last two days of Cancun we were able to stay with our contact who got us into the children's government home. The group has there own ministry and they work out od a mansion, so needless to say we know God is in favor with our work and wants to provide special things for our team.
May His love be seen in you today, tomorrow, and forever
Mexico City is little different from the beach. I really feel submersed into the culture here. We are going to be resting for the next two days and then I believe next saturday we are putting on a concert and showing all of our dramas and dances. I have also been asked to teach with my friend Jen in Evangelism. We spent a lot of time praying and were going to focus on why we should evangelize and the importance in sharing the whole gospel. A lot of times especially in my own culture we want to share with non believers only about God's love and desire for us, yet we leave out the reality of hell and the desperation we are stuck in by our own sin and human nature. It takes courge to share these things and to teach. I really want to speak God's message and not my own so we will see how it goes.
Hopefully I will be able to sned more updates about our time here! PLease pray for housing there are a few days towards the end of our time here we don't have a place yet, God met our needs in Cancun and we are confident he will do it again here. The last two days of Cancun we were able to stay with our contact who got us into the children's government home. The group has there own ministry and they work out od a mansion, so needless to say we know God is in favor with our work and wants to provide special things for our team.
May His love be seen in you today, tomorrow, and forever
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cancun part 2
What a blast! Cancun is a really beautiful and busy place. We were able to go back to work with the children in the government program. We made a Hip Hop dance for them and they really enjoied learning it. Even though our team was not permitted to share the gosple with them we were still praying for them and showing them love and encouragement. One little boy gave us a certificate of recognition when we were leaving and he shared with us that now he loves dancing and wants to keep dancing thoughout his life. We also were able to be there when the director of the agency was visiting she was very happy with our program and YWAM is no allowed to return and work more with the children. It was so great one of the days we were there we performed for a group of elderly people visiting they loved our dance and then showed us a dance they had been learning. We all danced together and had a blast. I think maybe 10 elderly women kissed me that day. They were so much fun! It is amazing to be able to bring joy to others through dance and to receive it back! Again God is good.
My health has improved as well. My infection is gone and I no longer have a fever. I am really glad to be back to almost 100% my back has been a little sore, but we have been performing a lot. Some other people in our team have been sick or have had old injuries flair up again. I firmly believe this is a spiritual attack God has such powerful things planned for us and Satan wants to keep us back, but we are going to press through and learn when to rest and when to fight.
Last night we gave a three hour workshop on different areas of the performing arts and how they are used to display the gospel. We were invited to a church by the pastor. The church is a very famous and large church thoughout Mexico so it was a big honor to go and teach. We were really encouraged by how excited they were to learn. While we were leaving they talked about starting a new ministry in performing arts. That would be so amazing in Cancun so many people from all over the world come here.
Personally I had a revelation the other night about an area I am growing in. During the lecture phase I sometimes struggled with gossip and not using wisdom with my words. I can see God really helping me to speak only what lifts up others like in Ephesians 4: 29 So it is great to see this change in me, but now the challange is taking every thought captive and removing the thinking negatively. But in God we never stop growing so it is great to see when we overcome our struggles through the Lord.
Today we are planning on going to a park and doing an open air performance. We have been praying a lot about this show and we haope to meet many people and talk about God with them and that our dramas and dances would envoke emotion about the truth of the Lord Jesus.
We have been very busy and tired, but knowing people are reading and praying helps so much in the times of trial. Thank you and know this is not my work but ours in the kingdom of God. Be blessed and enjoy your day. I pray wherever you may be that warm weather meets you and God tells you a way you have grown and you would in turn give Him praise!
Pressing on....
My health has improved as well. My infection is gone and I no longer have a fever. I am really glad to be back to almost 100% my back has been a little sore, but we have been performing a lot. Some other people in our team have been sick or have had old injuries flair up again. I firmly believe this is a spiritual attack God has such powerful things planned for us and Satan wants to keep us back, but we are going to press through and learn when to rest and when to fight.
Last night we gave a three hour workshop on different areas of the performing arts and how they are used to display the gospel. We were invited to a church by the pastor. The church is a very famous and large church thoughout Mexico so it was a big honor to go and teach. We were really encouraged by how excited they were to learn. While we were leaving they talked about starting a new ministry in performing arts. That would be so amazing in Cancun so many people from all over the world come here.
Personally I had a revelation the other night about an area I am growing in. During the lecture phase I sometimes struggled with gossip and not using wisdom with my words. I can see God really helping me to speak only what lifts up others like in Ephesians 4: 29 So it is great to see this change in me, but now the challange is taking every thought captive and removing the thinking negatively. But in God we never stop growing so it is great to see when we overcome our struggles through the Lord.
Today we are planning on going to a park and doing an open air performance. We have been praying a lot about this show and we haope to meet many people and talk about God with them and that our dramas and dances would envoke emotion about the truth of the Lord Jesus.
We have been very busy and tired, but knowing people are reading and praying helps so much in the times of trial. Thank you and know this is not my work but ours in the kingdom of God. Be blessed and enjoy your day. I pray wherever you may be that warm weather meets you and God tells you a way you have grown and you would in turn give Him praise!
Pressing on....
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Cancun Part 1
It has been a super intense past week. We left Ensenada last week for Cancun. We spent about two days traveling. I was quite sick with an infection in my body so honestly I don't remeber much. My team was really helpful though and we all made it safely. I went to another hospital here in Cancun and they gave me the right antibiotics so I am slowly recovering. I find with my back injury and now this God is cahllanging me to rest. My whole life I have tried to rest very little, but now that it is forced on me I am gainging a new focus. I am reading my bible more which is something I habve been craving for a long time but can't sit still long enough to read it. So I have been seeing new parts of the Old Testimate I've never read before. I also have a weakness for thinking about my body too much then wanting to work out and being sick that cannot happen so I am learning true rest in this time.
Aside from the health world, we are really busy here in Cancun. We went to a center for children last week. The kids there are in transition and will then go to foster parents. Sometimes they are there for a few days other times a few years. So God gave a the chance to go and perform with them. We then lead a workshop on Hip Hop. The kids were so fun and happy and really sweet to us. That was our first day of ministry so I was still felling very sick, but with them I was fine. God really sustains me when He needs to . We are making up a dance and editing a song fo them so when we go back tomorrow we can give them a dance that is just theres. We want to give them a joyful memory and a dance to keep.
Another exciting ministry time was this past Sunday. We went to a local church and did our hip hop dance and a drama we have about the many doors and paths in life. The pastor was really great and we met a lot of other YWAM teams in Cancun. The church was a giant tiki hut that had once been a strip club, but went under and this pastor came in and God was able to redeeme it into a beautiful facility to spread the gosple. We had an awesome time of fellowshp and encouragement from other YWAMers. I thought it was so funny there has never been anyone from Maryland in many areas of YWAM, but when I do meet other YWAM teams there are always people from Lancaster, PA.... what is that? Its like, come on Maryland someone else join the missions team YWAM....
Anyway, we also lead some dance workshop. Here in Cancun there is a DTS running and we went to the students and taught about 8 hours durning the week on dance, theater, and fitness. It was really great to encourage them. As we were showing them techniqes for the first time I was reminded of how I looked the same way 14 weeks ago when all this began and how God really can change you if your willing to be stretched. The Dts is a gret group of young people and they really love our team. It will be sad to leave on the next phase of outreach, but I think we are looing forward to les humididty in Mexico City.
I hope to blog again soon, butthe web is limited to us so here are some prayer points I would really apperciate you sneding up to the big guy...
-safety in Mexcio
-People wouold come to know God
-Unity in our team
-Wisdom for our leaders
-Smooth transportaiton
Thanks agsin for readung it is so important for me to know people at home are on this journey with me.
God Bless!
Ash
Aside from the health world, we are really busy here in Cancun. We went to a center for children last week. The kids there are in transition and will then go to foster parents. Sometimes they are there for a few days other times a few years. So God gave a the chance to go and perform with them. We then lead a workshop on Hip Hop. The kids were so fun and happy and really sweet to us. That was our first day of ministry so I was still felling very sick, but with them I was fine. God really sustains me when He needs to . We are making up a dance and editing a song fo them so when we go back tomorrow we can give them a dance that is just theres. We want to give them a joyful memory and a dance to keep.
Another exciting ministry time was this past Sunday. We went to a local church and did our hip hop dance and a drama we have about the many doors and paths in life. The pastor was really great and we met a lot of other YWAM teams in Cancun. The church was a giant tiki hut that had once been a strip club, but went under and this pastor came in and God was able to redeeme it into a beautiful facility to spread the gosple. We had an awesome time of fellowshp and encouragement from other YWAMers. I thought it was so funny there has never been anyone from Maryland in many areas of YWAM, but when I do meet other YWAM teams there are always people from Lancaster, PA.... what is that? Its like, come on Maryland someone else join the missions team YWAM....
Anyway, we also lead some dance workshop. Here in Cancun there is a DTS running and we went to the students and taught about 8 hours durning the week on dance, theater, and fitness. It was really great to encourage them. As we were showing them techniqes for the first time I was reminded of how I looked the same way 14 weeks ago when all this began and how God really can change you if your willing to be stretched. The Dts is a gret group of young people and they really love our team. It will be sad to leave on the next phase of outreach, but I think we are looing forward to les humididty in Mexico City.
I hope to blog again soon, butthe web is limited to us so here are some prayer points I would really apperciate you sneding up to the big guy...
-safety in Mexcio
-People wouold come to know God
-Unity in our team
-Wisdom for our leaders
-Smooth transportaiton
Thanks agsin for readung it is so important for me to know people at home are on this journey with me.
God Bless!
Ash
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