Day Five // Early Morning

The sun comes up at five here which I normally wouldn't mind, but I was up with nightmares last night and really wanted to sleep in.

The show must go on !!! 

Headed back to the foundation today to spend time with the kids and watch Chagy do his thing again!! 

But first... Let me take a selfie !! 

Day four

More lives were saved today. Praise Jesus !!! 

  We got to spend time with the homeless today. Man... Walking up to the park was overwhelming. As soon as we approached the crowd of homeless men and very few women, the energy around us instantly became dark and heavy. I knew God sent us there for a reason. Chagy did his thing again with illusions and tied them into The Word like always (never gets old seeing him minister) and the smiles brought to their faces were so beautiful. 

  I saw things today I've never seen before. I witnessed Pastor Jeremy, Camila, and the Holy Spirit cast out demonic spirits from a young man. He went from asking for prayer, to rejecting The Word of God, to his body stuffing up and unwilling to receive hugs and affection, to an overwhelming and unexplainable feeling of joy after all of the darkness was castes out. How great is our God?!

  I'm not afraid of what my eyes are witnessing. I'm not afraid of all the warning signs and red flags. You see, God specifically called me to Colombia to be His hands and feet. Why should I submit to fear? I won't ! Every dark area that I see, I will run to with a bucket of love and the armor placed upon me by God. There's nothing to be fearful of. No amount of drugs, abuse, alcoholism, witches, witch doctors, demonic spirits, or anything else that's not of God will scare me away from completing the mission I was called here to complete. The seeds will be planted and though I won't get to see them grow, I have so much faith in God's promise. 

Prayer requests:

Tomorrow some of us will be doing house visits to pray over the families and homes. After hearing about the house visits that were done today, and how present the enemy was, I would love for you to pray back home as well for these families. 

With much love,

Araceli

Day Three

Today was so powerful. I've never in my life felt Gods presence the way I did today. So many people gave their lives to Christ today and it was absolutely beautiful. My heart is full, yet so drained. So please accept these pictures as a story of today for now.  

So many chains were broken, so many people were set free, hearts are renewed. Today has been so powerful. I am so honored that God called me to Colombia.  

Tomorrow morning we will be feeding and ministering to the homeless. Please pray that more lives are saved !! 

With much love, 

Araceli

Day 2

God wasted no time getting our hearts moving and hands working. I can appreciate that though. 

  We walk around here, no bus or taxis. During our walk to the foundation to meet Tom, our eyes were opened to many things. For example, about ten minutes into our walk we witnessed an elderly man fall to the ground letting his cane land on the curb. He was having an attack. In appearance it was similar to a seizure. Our men helped him sit up and questioned him about how he was feeling and where he was going. He was hungry and was searching for his wife after missing his bus stop. My team was quick to fill his hands with snacks and water. The rest of the way was pretty peaceful aside from fighting cars to cross the street. I'm not sure there's a system here for safe driving... They'll take you out real quick, no second guessing. 

  Tom is amazing. He has this energy that makes you want to shout with joy and such a strong bond with the Lord that makes you want to know Him on a much deeper level too. He shared many awesome stories about the location we are in and how God is working around here. The foundation is surrounded by witches, prostitution, drugs, and homeless people. We were told stories that naturally should scare the daylight a out of you, but it didn't. We are confident that the Lord sent us here for a beautiful purpose and nothing can scare us away from completing what He has called us to do. 

  We painted the foundation today and man... That was a task. Jess, Kayla and I were assigned the bathrooms. I have NEVER been in smaller bathrooms than these before. Every wall we painted I ran into before it was dry trying to make my way around. Needless to say I got pretty messy ! It was all fun though. 

Highlight of the day:

Feeling his presence like never before. We stopped what we were doing for a bit when we heard Good Good Father playing. This was Toms first time ever hearing this song and he was in deep with God for a moment with arms stretched wide. I joined along with Jess while everyone else was busy at work. We were in a perfectly lit location between the walls of an office and a storage closet. White walls... I'll remember them forever. 

It's only 3:21, we are now getting ready for church tonight. There are two services and Chagy will be performing at both, with the little kids and the young adults. Also, just got word that there's a young women's event going on tomorrow and us ladies will get to minister to the women here our age. So excited for this! 

Prayer needs: 

Pray that our ears are completely open to what the Lord is saying and that we submit completely to Him so that he can use us well and fully as we minister to the people of Colombia tonight. 

With much love, 

Araceli

Hours Away

I've gone from counting months, to days, and now the hours until I'm on my way to the airport. I'm still in a calm state, but I know as I awake tomorrow my heart and mind will be racing with excitement and anticipation. 

It was brought to my attention tonight by a sweet friend that this is my first mission trip completely free from all the burdens and shame I was carrying on my heart for many, many years. This is HUGE. I am completely free... I'M FREE ! I am now able to be used in ways I've never been used before because of this. All the lies, secrets, dark corners... They're all in the light now. Nothing is holding me back from being exactly who God has made me to be. This is beautiful. I am extremely excited to see what He has planned in Colombia. 

So Close

Here in just two days I will be taking a flight to Medellin Colombia on mission. I'm still in awe of God's choice to send me on this journey. What does my heart hold that He sees valuable and beneficial to this trip? What could I possibly have to give to the people of Colombia? Perhaps just a willing heart that is open to His purpose and plans... and that's enough.

Will you pray for my team and I as we are out on mission? 

You may follow this blog where I will be posting about our prayer needs daily as well as sharing my heart with you all.

With much love,

Araceli