ECA and Bogotá Update
There is only a month left until graduation and a lot going on in these last few weeks. The staff soccer team lost 3-0 in the championship to 11th grade. Last week the girls’ volleyball team that I coach won their first match! It was super intense, and I was so proud of them. Right now I am doing ultimate with the girls and tennis with elementary in PE classes. One exciting thing that recently happened was the salvation of one of the 12th grade girls!
It is a little weird starting to say goodbye to things and telling students and people that I’m leaving ECA and Bogotá. This Saturday will be my last in Lomitas helping to coach soccer the kids there. My time with Coloreando Alas has been a huge blessing and answer to prayer, and I have learned so much through the people in the ministry. I got the opportunity to visit a school that a friend teaches at to meet the students and let them hear a native English speaker as well as leading a soccer ministry event in the evening in the south.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
God continues to grow me in the gifts of the Spirit, especially in the area of tongues. While it is still somewhat of a mystery, I have been using it in different situations – for protection, time with God, when I feel a burden, praying for healing, etc. I can feel more of God’s presence and power. I know that it can be used as a weapon against spiritual warfare. I like to describe praying in tongues as the heavenly power of kingdom of God coming to earth, flowing through me, to impact the spiritual and earthly realms. Pretty cool!
After passing a while without praying for healing for anyone, I have had a bunch of opportunities lately to do so. I’ve started to quietly pray in tongues when I start asking God for healing for someone, and I’ve begun to see more “results.” I’ve been asking God to increase my faith and to give me discernment. I also know that I need to be not only praying for physical healing, but also sharing Christ with others.
My Next Step
I can now say I know where I am going and what I am doing next after ECA! I visited a ministry Armenia in the coffee region back in early April after I didn’t feel peace in Medellín. I didn’t know what to expect, and this place was last on my list of three where I thought I wanted to be. As I met people, saw the ministry sites, and was just there, I knew it was where God wanted me. The pastor and others have been praying for God to send workers to help, and I felt like I fit there and was an answer to their prayers. I will essentially be working with a church foundation that does soccer ministry in several poorer neighborhoods in the city. This will be a Spanish language and culture immersion and will be challenging. On the flight there I had an awesome conversation with a woman who spoke English. We talked about God and many things. I have no idea how long I will be there or what God has in store for me, but I am just going and letting God lead me.
I have been in a bit of a whirlwind lately as I have had a lot of mixed feelings and emotions while preparing for the upcoming transition. I have also felt spiritually attacked lately with many things – in my thoughts, my emotions, time with God, etc. I have felt a pretty strong heaviness/tension since returning from Armenia that continues to get stronger. I am excited about my next step, but I also know it won’t be easy. God doesn’t usually call us to things that are easy. I don’t know exactly why God has led me there, but I know that He has a purpose and will use me. During this time I am challenged to focus on and enjoy God and enjoy my last month here in Bogotá. I feel like God wants to take me deeper during this time. I have been asking Him what I need to do for a deep, lasting change in me.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
En Cristo,
Jonathan
There is only a month left until graduation and a lot going on in these last few weeks. The staff soccer team lost 3-0 in the championship to 11th grade. Last week the girls’ volleyball team that I coach won their first match! It was super intense, and I was so proud of them. Right now I am doing ultimate with the girls and tennis with elementary in PE classes. One exciting thing that recently happened was the salvation of one of the 12th grade girls!
It is a little weird starting to say goodbye to things and telling students and people that I’m leaving ECA and Bogotá. This Saturday will be my last in Lomitas helping to coach soccer the kids there. My time with Coloreando Alas has been a huge blessing and answer to prayer, and I have learned so much through the people in the ministry. I got the opportunity to visit a school that a friend teaches at to meet the students and let them hear a native English speaker as well as leading a soccer ministry event in the evening in the south.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
God continues to grow me in the gifts of the Spirit, especially in the area of tongues. While it is still somewhat of a mystery, I have been using it in different situations – for protection, time with God, when I feel a burden, praying for healing, etc. I can feel more of God’s presence and power. I know that it can be used as a weapon against spiritual warfare. I like to describe praying in tongues as the heavenly power of kingdom of God coming to earth, flowing through me, to impact the spiritual and earthly realms. Pretty cool!
After passing a while without praying for healing for anyone, I have had a bunch of opportunities lately to do so. I’ve started to quietly pray in tongues when I start asking God for healing for someone, and I’ve begun to see more “results.” I’ve been asking God to increase my faith and to give me discernment. I also know that I need to be not only praying for physical healing, but also sharing Christ with others.
My Next Step
I can now say I know where I am going and what I am doing next after ECA! I visited a ministry Armenia in the coffee region back in early April after I didn’t feel peace in Medellín. I didn’t know what to expect, and this place was last on my list of three where I thought I wanted to be. As I met people, saw the ministry sites, and was just there, I knew it was where God wanted me. The pastor and others have been praying for God to send workers to help, and I felt like I fit there and was an answer to their prayers. I will essentially be working with a church foundation that does soccer ministry in several poorer neighborhoods in the city. This will be a Spanish language and culture immersion and will be challenging. On the flight there I had an awesome conversation with a woman who spoke English. We talked about God and many things. I have no idea how long I will be there or what God has in store for me, but I am just going and letting God lead me.
I have been in a bit of a whirlwind lately as I have had a lot of mixed feelings and emotions while preparing for the upcoming transition. I have also felt spiritually attacked lately with many things – in my thoughts, my emotions, time with God, etc. I have felt a pretty strong heaviness/tension since returning from Armenia that continues to get stronger. I am excited about my next step, but I also know it won’t be easy. God doesn’t usually call us to things that are easy. I don’t know exactly why God has led me there, but I know that He has a purpose and will use me. During this time I am challenged to focus on and enjoy God and enjoy my last month here in Bogotá. I feel like God wants to take me deeper during this time. I have been asking Him what I need to do for a deep, lasting change in me.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
En Cristo,
Jonathan