28 Days in the States
This past month in the States has been a mix of many different feelings, emotions, surprises, experiences, and other things. However, my time there far surpassed what I expected. It truly was refreshing and encouraging in many ways. I spent two weeks in Nazareth, Pennsylvania being with family and enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the area. It was good to see family members and relatives again after two years and also meet my new nephew for the first time. I also got to share some about my Colombian experience in church. I then spent the final two weeks in Raleigh, NC connecting with friends, speaking at my church there, and being surprised by God.
A lot of cool things happened in North Carolina where God decided to unleash His blessing and goodness on me. One night I was praying heavily in tongues and I literally felt a spirit and a heaviness come off me and a joy enter my spirit. Since that happened, I have felt like a new person and full of life. I was able to attend a day and a half at the School of Empowerment at a church in Durham. This is a two-week training on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. This is what I had been desiring, and it all came about “randomly.” During my time there I was prophesied over, learned more about certain gifts, practiced the gifts, made connections, was encouraged/affirmed, and had a heavy anointing of the Holy Spirit come upon me. So much has happened as a result of this, and it really was an unexpected gift from the Lord. My only regret is that I didn’t know about this to be there for the whole two weeks! I also got to cast out spirits from a house and declare God’s peace there. God blew my mind in so many ways in all of this, and it all happened because of a “random” meeting with a friend one evening!
Ready to Go
At this point I know what my next step is, but many details are still up in the air. I have been asking God where He wants me to live for this next year. While still not sure, my heart’s desire is still to be able to live in Armenia and help some with the soccer ministry when I’m not traveling, so I am pursuing that unless God closes the door. I know that God will open many doors in this next year and will be challenging me and stretching me out of my comfort zone. While I wish I knew more details, I am at peace in this “waiting” period. I know this is what God has chosen for me, so He has to work it out. My desire is to be used by God, be a blessing, be stretched, share His Word, and have Him do miracles through me.
My job will be visiting many Christian schools around Colombia, leading seminars for PE teachers at conferences, and just going and doing as God leads. Paul in the Bible traveled and visited churches to strengthen and bless them. I see my new job as doing that, but with schools. I am excited to be able to make connections with schools, ministries, and churches all across Colombia, and I trust this will lead to a more defined long-term purpose and calling in Colombia. The cool thing is that what I will be doing has never been done before as this position was created. I can’t wait to see and experience all that God has for me! It will be an adventure for sure.
More of Him
I was able to come back to Colombia anointed, filling, encouraged, affirmed, better equipped, and ready for my next adventure. Although many things about the States break my heart, I still appreciate the fact that I am an American and that I could really enjoy being an American for four weeks. I really appreciated the simple things in the States and also about Colombia, and I feel more open to the possibility of returning to the States should God call me back at some point. I feel God has been teaching and revealing so many things recently that it seems a bit overwhelming.
I feel I have limited God so much in my life because I haven’t fully believed in my heart that He wants to bless me so much and have me walk in His power and authority. God has been showing me lies that I have believed for so long without realizing it, and it has been freeing. My shortcomings don’t disqualify me from what He has for me. He has been showing me more of His heart and who I am in Him. I am starting to actually believe it, and it is slowly transforming my heart and mind and my walk with Him. I have been challenged to continually speak truth and life to myself and make a greater effort to pour into others. I have been learning how to receive from the Lord ALL that He has for me, especially the fullness of His love. I have been asking for more of Him. He really wants and has great things for me and is gently pulling me out to experience Him in a deeper way.
En Cristo,
Jonathan
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Cor. 5:7
“Don’t be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Rom. 12:2
This past month in the States has been a mix of many different feelings, emotions, surprises, experiences, and other things. However, my time there far surpassed what I expected. It truly was refreshing and encouraging in many ways. I spent two weeks in Nazareth, Pennsylvania being with family and enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the area. It was good to see family members and relatives again after two years and also meet my new nephew for the first time. I also got to share some about my Colombian experience in church. I then spent the final two weeks in Raleigh, NC connecting with friends, speaking at my church there, and being surprised by God.
A lot of cool things happened in North Carolina where God decided to unleash His blessing and goodness on me. One night I was praying heavily in tongues and I literally felt a spirit and a heaviness come off me and a joy enter my spirit. Since that happened, I have felt like a new person and full of life. I was able to attend a day and a half at the School of Empowerment at a church in Durham. This is a two-week training on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. This is what I had been desiring, and it all came about “randomly.” During my time there I was prophesied over, learned more about certain gifts, practiced the gifts, made connections, was encouraged/affirmed, and had a heavy anointing of the Holy Spirit come upon me. So much has happened as a result of this, and it really was an unexpected gift from the Lord. My only regret is that I didn’t know about this to be there for the whole two weeks! I also got to cast out spirits from a house and declare God’s peace there. God blew my mind in so many ways in all of this, and it all happened because of a “random” meeting with a friend one evening!
Ready to Go
At this point I know what my next step is, but many details are still up in the air. I have been asking God where He wants me to live for this next year. While still not sure, my heart’s desire is still to be able to live in Armenia and help some with the soccer ministry when I’m not traveling, so I am pursuing that unless God closes the door. I know that God will open many doors in this next year and will be challenging me and stretching me out of my comfort zone. While I wish I knew more details, I am at peace in this “waiting” period. I know this is what God has chosen for me, so He has to work it out. My desire is to be used by God, be a blessing, be stretched, share His Word, and have Him do miracles through me.
My job will be visiting many Christian schools around Colombia, leading seminars for PE teachers at conferences, and just going and doing as God leads. Paul in the Bible traveled and visited churches to strengthen and bless them. I see my new job as doing that, but with schools. I am excited to be able to make connections with schools, ministries, and churches all across Colombia, and I trust this will lead to a more defined long-term purpose and calling in Colombia. The cool thing is that what I will be doing has never been done before as this position was created. I can’t wait to see and experience all that God has for me! It will be an adventure for sure.
More of Him
I was able to come back to Colombia anointed, filling, encouraged, affirmed, better equipped, and ready for my next adventure. Although many things about the States break my heart, I still appreciate the fact that I am an American and that I could really enjoy being an American for four weeks. I really appreciated the simple things in the States and also about Colombia, and I feel more open to the possibility of returning to the States should God call me back at some point. I feel God has been teaching and revealing so many things recently that it seems a bit overwhelming.
I feel I have limited God so much in my life because I haven’t fully believed in my heart that He wants to bless me so much and have me walk in His power and authority. God has been showing me lies that I have believed for so long without realizing it, and it has been freeing. My shortcomings don’t disqualify me from what He has for me. He has been showing me more of His heart and who I am in Him. I am starting to actually believe it, and it is slowly transforming my heart and mind and my walk with Him. I have been challenged to continually speak truth and life to myself and make a greater effort to pour into others. I have been learning how to receive from the Lord ALL that He has for me, especially the fullness of His love. I have been asking for more of Him. He really wants and has great things for me and is gently pulling me out to experience Him in a deeper way.
En Cristo,
Jonathan
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Cor. 5:7
“Don’t be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Rom. 12:2