November has been a month of new surprises, challenges, and things to work through with God. I have had many mixed feelings and emotions about many different things. However, I know that God wants to take me deeper through those things by working in my heart and preparing me for His next step for me. So for now I am just learning to trust and be patient where I am at now. I am thankful He has been answering some of my prayers and desires.
ECA and Bogotá Updates
It’s hard to believe that the first semester of the school year ends next Friday the 18th. I have finished coaching middle school girls’ volleyball and have one more practice with high school guys’ basketball. The high school lunchtime tournaments for second quarter have also ended as the Staff won the guys’ volleyball tournament and 12th grade won the girls’ soccer tournament. The ping pong tournaments for high school and middle school have started, and the much anticipated soccer tournaments for high school guys and middle school girls and guys, as well as the high school girls’ volleyball tournament, will start after Christmas break.
Life in Bogotá continues to go well. God keeps allowing me to meet new people. I have planned some ultimate frisbee/picnic events. I love connecting people with other people. I have enjoyed being an accountability partner/mentor of a former ECA student, which has been a blessing in my life. Three weeks ago my new nephew Collin made his arrival into the world. I will get to meet him this summer. Life and working at ECA are developing the fruits of the spirit in my life as I have to show and learn love, patience, faithfulness, and many other things.
Birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
About three weeks ago I celebrated my 29th birthday and my second birthday in Colombia. It was a great day filled with activity and people. I got to spend time at the ministry up in the mountains of Bogotá, was taken out to dinner by five guys from the school, and even had a party/game night at a teachers’ apartment. I was able to have about five thanksgiving meals, which were awesome! On Thanksgiving Day, I was invited to dinner with a family from my school along with other teachers.
As of right now my plan is to do some traveling over the Christmas/holiday break. I plan on taking a similar trip as I did to the coast this past summer, but the plan is to go to the coffee region of Colombia. I have never been there, but it’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. I will take a one-way flight or a bus and spend time in a few cities and just see, go, and do as God leads me and come back when I want to.
Looking Ahead
Nothing big has happened in regard to the future. I still continue to pray for God to open the right doors at the right time. I feel I would like to stay in Bogotá, but I am open to moving to a different city. Right now I have possible opportunities in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla. I know that I want to be a part of the ministry that I have been doing some volunteering with called Coloreando Alas (Coloring Wings). Really, I want to be a part of what God is doing in Colombia, so I pray He places me where is best. I would really like to do several different things, but we’ll see how everything unfolds. I continue to stand in awe of God’s grace in my life recently and have been experiencing His presence and peace in a new way. How amazing to know the God is always with me and loves me far more than I could ever imagine!
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods." - Psalm 96:1-4
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
In Christ,
Jonathan
ECA and Bogotá Updates
It’s hard to believe that the first semester of the school year ends next Friday the 18th. I have finished coaching middle school girls’ volleyball and have one more practice with high school guys’ basketball. The high school lunchtime tournaments for second quarter have also ended as the Staff won the guys’ volleyball tournament and 12th grade won the girls’ soccer tournament. The ping pong tournaments for high school and middle school have started, and the much anticipated soccer tournaments for high school guys and middle school girls and guys, as well as the high school girls’ volleyball tournament, will start after Christmas break.
Life in Bogotá continues to go well. God keeps allowing me to meet new people. I have planned some ultimate frisbee/picnic events. I love connecting people with other people. I have enjoyed being an accountability partner/mentor of a former ECA student, which has been a blessing in my life. Three weeks ago my new nephew Collin made his arrival into the world. I will get to meet him this summer. Life and working at ECA are developing the fruits of the spirit in my life as I have to show and learn love, patience, faithfulness, and many other things.
Birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
About three weeks ago I celebrated my 29th birthday and my second birthday in Colombia. It was a great day filled with activity and people. I got to spend time at the ministry up in the mountains of Bogotá, was taken out to dinner by five guys from the school, and even had a party/game night at a teachers’ apartment. I was able to have about five thanksgiving meals, which were awesome! On Thanksgiving Day, I was invited to dinner with a family from my school along with other teachers.
As of right now my plan is to do some traveling over the Christmas/holiday break. I plan on taking a similar trip as I did to the coast this past summer, but the plan is to go to the coffee region of Colombia. I have never been there, but it’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. I will take a one-way flight or a bus and spend time in a few cities and just see, go, and do as God leads me and come back when I want to.
Looking Ahead
Nothing big has happened in regard to the future. I still continue to pray for God to open the right doors at the right time. I feel I would like to stay in Bogotá, but I am open to moving to a different city. Right now I have possible opportunities in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla. I know that I want to be a part of the ministry that I have been doing some volunteering with called Coloreando Alas (Coloring Wings). Really, I want to be a part of what God is doing in Colombia, so I pray He places me where is best. I would really like to do several different things, but we’ll see how everything unfolds. I continue to stand in awe of God’s grace in my life recently and have been experiencing His presence and peace in a new way. How amazing to know the God is always with me and loves me far more than I could ever imagine!
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods." - Psalm 96:1-4
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
In Christ,
Jonathan