ECA and Bogotá Update
It’s hard to believe I only have four months left at ECA. The first few weeks of the new semester have been both good and challenging. I am teaching hockey to the guys right now as well as coaching the high school girls’ volleyball team. The lunch-time soccer tournaments are in full-swing, and my desire is that the players really learn on-the-field character. The guys’ staff team is currently tied for first place with one win and a tie. We started with our new small groups in high school, and I am leading (with a co-leader) a group of two seniors and three freshmen.
Growing in the Spiritual Gifts
One of the big things God has put on my heart is a resurrected desire to pursue and seek the spiritual gifts, particularly healing and words of knowledge. What I’ve realized is that there are people all around that need physical healing, but how much am I willing to put myself out there and trust God regardless of the outcome. I’ve had some opportunities to pray healing over students, teachers, and others. I have also been asking God to speak to me in dreams/visions and for words from Him to speak to others. At times during the day I ask God to give me words to speak to someone I am talking to or am near. God is encouraging me to develop godly character, hide His Word in my heart, and have a pure heart and mind so that I can better hear from Him.
A few weeks ago I was at a park with a friend, and a guy named Cristian came up to us asking us for money to help his daughter. He showed us a picture of her hand, and we laid hands on and prayed over the picture and the guy. I told him I believed his daughter was healed at that moment and that when he returned to her she would be well. It was a cool, unexpected encounter! There was also a 3rd grade student at ECA whose ankle was bothering him at the beginning of class. I had some kids come over and lay hands on his ankle while a student prayed for him. A few days later he told me that he didn’t have any more problems with his ankle. I want the students to see God’s power and how He can use them.
I continue to be affirmed that I have the gifts of an evangelist. I believe God has given me a gift and desire to share Christ with others, and I am learning how to do it in Spanish. I believe that someday I may do some sort of evangelism ministry combined with healing, words of knowledge, and prophecy. Another thing I have been learning how “to do” is tongues. While I don’t understand everything about it, it has been helpful in experiencing an increase of God’s presence in me. A big desire of mine is that God shows me how to use these gifts and gives me the boldness to practice them. I recently watched a video about contending and fighting for miracles. If it’s in the Bible, I can do it through God’s power!
Future Direction
I still am not sure where I will end up after this school year, but I feel I want to pursue an opportunity in Medellín, Colombia, as long as that door doesn’t close. I now have clarity on my visa situation, and can move accordingly. I want to be somewhere where I can be immersed in Spanish, practice the spiritual gifts, work with kids, and do ministry. I can feel the weight of transition coming up, and I have felt a lot of anxiety, some lostness, and mild depression at times. I know the Lord has a plan and is training me and urging me to prepare and use this time wisely. I also plan to visit the States for about a month this summer to see family, friends, church, supporters, and others in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
I am not sure all God is trying to do in me and teach me as I have experienced so many emotions with different things in life. I am learning patience. But I know God promises to work everything out for good and that nothing is wasted. This is definitely a period of trust and allowing God to take me deeper through being uncomfortable and having to go to Him. However, based on what God has spoken to me in the past and what others have spoken to me, I know that awesome stuff is coming and things will be fulfilled. This is my period of serious training and preparation. I am excited to see how God surprises me!
In Christ,
Jonathan
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all time, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” – Psalm 62:5-8
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – John 15:7
It’s hard to believe I only have four months left at ECA. The first few weeks of the new semester have been both good and challenging. I am teaching hockey to the guys right now as well as coaching the high school girls’ volleyball team. The lunch-time soccer tournaments are in full-swing, and my desire is that the players really learn on-the-field character. The guys’ staff team is currently tied for first place with one win and a tie. We started with our new small groups in high school, and I am leading (with a co-leader) a group of two seniors and three freshmen.
Growing in the Spiritual Gifts
One of the big things God has put on my heart is a resurrected desire to pursue and seek the spiritual gifts, particularly healing and words of knowledge. What I’ve realized is that there are people all around that need physical healing, but how much am I willing to put myself out there and trust God regardless of the outcome. I’ve had some opportunities to pray healing over students, teachers, and others. I have also been asking God to speak to me in dreams/visions and for words from Him to speak to others. At times during the day I ask God to give me words to speak to someone I am talking to or am near. God is encouraging me to develop godly character, hide His Word in my heart, and have a pure heart and mind so that I can better hear from Him.
A few weeks ago I was at a park with a friend, and a guy named Cristian came up to us asking us for money to help his daughter. He showed us a picture of her hand, and we laid hands on and prayed over the picture and the guy. I told him I believed his daughter was healed at that moment and that when he returned to her she would be well. It was a cool, unexpected encounter! There was also a 3rd grade student at ECA whose ankle was bothering him at the beginning of class. I had some kids come over and lay hands on his ankle while a student prayed for him. A few days later he told me that he didn’t have any more problems with his ankle. I want the students to see God’s power and how He can use them.
I continue to be affirmed that I have the gifts of an evangelist. I believe God has given me a gift and desire to share Christ with others, and I am learning how to do it in Spanish. I believe that someday I may do some sort of evangelism ministry combined with healing, words of knowledge, and prophecy. Another thing I have been learning how “to do” is tongues. While I don’t understand everything about it, it has been helpful in experiencing an increase of God’s presence in me. A big desire of mine is that God shows me how to use these gifts and gives me the boldness to practice them. I recently watched a video about contending and fighting for miracles. If it’s in the Bible, I can do it through God’s power!
Future Direction
I still am not sure where I will end up after this school year, but I feel I want to pursue an opportunity in Medellín, Colombia, as long as that door doesn’t close. I now have clarity on my visa situation, and can move accordingly. I want to be somewhere where I can be immersed in Spanish, practice the spiritual gifts, work with kids, and do ministry. I can feel the weight of transition coming up, and I have felt a lot of anxiety, some lostness, and mild depression at times. I know the Lord has a plan and is training me and urging me to prepare and use this time wisely. I also plan to visit the States for about a month this summer to see family, friends, church, supporters, and others in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
I am not sure all God is trying to do in me and teach me as I have experienced so many emotions with different things in life. I am learning patience. But I know God promises to work everything out for good and that nothing is wasted. This is definitely a period of trust and allowing God to take me deeper through being uncomfortable and having to go to Him. However, based on what God has spoken to me in the past and what others have spoken to me, I know that awesome stuff is coming and things will be fulfilled. This is my period of serious training and preparation. I am excited to see how God surprises me!
In Christ,
Jonathan
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all time, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” – Psalm 62:5-8
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – John 15:7