PE and ECA Update
It’s hard to believe the semester ends on December 19. As things come to a close for this year, things are winding down in the PE department as Ultimate classes, dodgeball tournaments, and after-school sports are finishing. I have grown so much in the past few months as a teacher in discipline, grading, and class management. I have already committed to return to ECA for next school year, so every seed I am planting now will continue to grow next year. I have been trying to take more opportunities to spend time with students and talk with them. I am so much more confident now that I know names and have some experience.
Coming Alive
The past several weeks have been full of adventures with the Holy Spirit. It’s been great seeing how the Lord leads me to people, places, and situations to grow my trust, faith, and desire in Him and to be a blessing to others. Most days I ask God to surprise me that day, and He certainly answers those prayers. Some surprises have been unexpected blessings and adventures. God has been blowing me away with His surprises and goodness towards me.
One thing I have been learning is how to simply be friends with God and focus on that relationship and not on doing things. I have been enjoying His presence, going on adventures, and having conversations with just the two of us. God has also been teaching me humility and how it is absolutely essential to my relationship with Him. I have been reminded more and more of my need for Him and that my time with Him is essential to my effectiveness for His kingdom.
The Lord has been pouring His Spirit into me, giving me a desire for Him and His Word, and giving me a greater vision and heart for Colombia. Two Bible verses that God has been burning on my heart and mind are Psalm 63:1 and Psalm 73:25: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul longs for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.”
Blessings and Opportunities
In the month of November I was blessed to join the 2nd graders at ECA on their service trip. It was great just hanging out with them and seeing them interact with other students. I was blessed to go to a town called Suesca (an hour away from the city) with three other ECA teachers. The hike I went on was so beautiful. I was amazed with God’s creation and was spiritually and physically refreshed. I also finally got to go to Monserrate, probably the most famous tourist site in Bogotá. I took the hike to the top to experience the beauty of the scenery and view. I got to witness a massive, spectacular rain, thunder, and lightning storm on top of the mountain as I overlooked the city.
Over this past Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity to visit a school in Mariquita (about 5 hours away) to help lead activities in English for one day. In return, they fed and housed me for free for a few days. It was fun to meet and hang out with the students. Things didn’t go anything like I had expected (which is typical for Colombia), but it was a good time. I got the chance to do some hiking and explore the town for a few days. The weather and scenery were beautiful and God allowed me to see awesome things and meet new people.
One thing I have been continually reminded of is how powerful God’s presence really is. God is way bigger than anything we can imagine, yet all of God lives inside of us if we have accepted Christ. I have been trying to live with this truth as part of my daily life. I have incredible power and authority and all of God living inside of me, so nothing is impossible and God can do anything through me if I am open. I have been seeking to step out in faith and boldness as I ask God to guide and direct my steps that day. Life has been exciting and adventurous when I am acting out this truth. We’ll see what surprises God has in store in December!
It’s hard to believe the semester ends on December 19. As things come to a close for this year, things are winding down in the PE department as Ultimate classes, dodgeball tournaments, and after-school sports are finishing. I have grown so much in the past few months as a teacher in discipline, grading, and class management. I have already committed to return to ECA for next school year, so every seed I am planting now will continue to grow next year. I have been trying to take more opportunities to spend time with students and talk with them. I am so much more confident now that I know names and have some experience.
Coming Alive
The past several weeks have been full of adventures with the Holy Spirit. It’s been great seeing how the Lord leads me to people, places, and situations to grow my trust, faith, and desire in Him and to be a blessing to others. Most days I ask God to surprise me that day, and He certainly answers those prayers. Some surprises have been unexpected blessings and adventures. God has been blowing me away with His surprises and goodness towards me.
One thing I have been learning is how to simply be friends with God and focus on that relationship and not on doing things. I have been enjoying His presence, going on adventures, and having conversations with just the two of us. God has also been teaching me humility and how it is absolutely essential to my relationship with Him. I have been reminded more and more of my need for Him and that my time with Him is essential to my effectiveness for His kingdom.
The Lord has been pouring His Spirit into me, giving me a desire for Him and His Word, and giving me a greater vision and heart for Colombia. Two Bible verses that God has been burning on my heart and mind are Psalm 63:1 and Psalm 73:25: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul longs for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.”
Blessings and Opportunities
In the month of November I was blessed to join the 2nd graders at ECA on their service trip. It was great just hanging out with them and seeing them interact with other students. I was blessed to go to a town called Suesca (an hour away from the city) with three other ECA teachers. The hike I went on was so beautiful. I was amazed with God’s creation and was spiritually and physically refreshed. I also finally got to go to Monserrate, probably the most famous tourist site in Bogotá. I took the hike to the top to experience the beauty of the scenery and view. I got to witness a massive, spectacular rain, thunder, and lightning storm on top of the mountain as I overlooked the city.
Over this past Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity to visit a school in Mariquita (about 5 hours away) to help lead activities in English for one day. In return, they fed and housed me for free for a few days. It was fun to meet and hang out with the students. Things didn’t go anything like I had expected (which is typical for Colombia), but it was a good time. I got the chance to do some hiking and explore the town for a few days. The weather and scenery were beautiful and God allowed me to see awesome things and meet new people.
One thing I have been continually reminded of is how powerful God’s presence really is. God is way bigger than anything we can imagine, yet all of God lives inside of us if we have accepted Christ. I have been trying to live with this truth as part of my daily life. I have incredible power and authority and all of God living inside of me, so nothing is impossible and God can do anything through me if I am open. I have been seeking to step out in faith and boldness as I ask God to guide and direct my steps that day. Life has been exciting and adventurous when I am acting out this truth. We’ll see what surprises God has in store in December!