Colombia Team 2009

another video from a few days ago in Colombia

2009-07-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

The last day in Colombia

2009-07-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

We had an eventful last day... take a look...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

More Pics:)

2009-07-28T06:52:00.001-07:00

We'll be home soon, but here are some more pics to help the wait seem a little shorter:)

Pictures- MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LIST TOO!!!

2009-07-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

The list!

2009-07-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

This is a list of some of the things that we have seen God do! We spent an hour tonight remembering and praising and this is what we came up with. Give all the glory to God and allow this list to encourage your heart.

WHAT GOD DID!!! He is GOOD all the timeJ

This list is in no particular order and it could never really encompass everything that He did, but it is a good start.

Talked through the guys in a HUGE way when they did the seminar on purity. Santiago was especially moved.
In SUBA- God spoke to people even when it seemed like they weren’t paying attention. Three people gave their lives to Jesus when we didn’t think anything was going to happen.
In VILLETTA- a girl from the slum bought Jillian a melon to show her appreciation (it represented everything she had).
In SUBACHOQUE- almost an entire school gave their lives to Jesus.
When the girls talked about purity at a high school almost all the girls gave their hearts to Jesus and then 3 girls came up and talked more in depth about God’s love afterwards. God used Hannah to show one particular girl God’s forgiveness and GRACE.
In SUBA God moved like crazy in the church services.
The team LOVED, LOVED, LOVED like crazy and NEVER ran out because they are connected to THE SOURCE!
Team B saw God move in a powerful way when their plans changed and the police showed up…a group a street kids ended up giving their lives to the LORD!!!
The Columbian kids teach us generosity by sharing a lollipop and making us smile.
God spoke through every team member who had the opportunity to preach the gospel. We saw that it is not about who we are, but it is ALL ABOUT WHO HE IS. God brings in the harvest!!!
Healed Cecil’s finger really fast!
Josh C. was discharged from probation just in time to come on the tripJ
God spoke through Katie, Jon, and Ian when they had to preach to a church full of 800 people with NO WARNING!!!
God has given Bethany peace about her life and testimony- especially about being pure. She has gotten to talk about her life and used it to inspire others.
God has used the testimonies of each team member to change lives and touch the lives of others.
We have had ENERGY even when we thought we had nothing left!!!
God has spoken to us SOOOO MUCH!
God has used us in our weakness.
At EXITO (which is like Wal-Mart)- people gave their lives to Christ. We did an altar call in the middle of the parking lot.
Team B had no power for one of their presentations (including all 3 dramas) with NO SOUND at all. They had awesome attitudes and God used it in a powerful way. God doesn’t need a sound systemJ
Ashley and Brooke showed Jesus’ love to a little girl in the slum.
Our translator from SUBA was touched by our team and God used us to bring her back to His heart.
Our host families were such a blessing. We cannot even explain it. They acted as servants, moms, dads, and prayer warriors.
A little boy from SUBA demonstrated the love of Christ in a way that crossed our language barrier.
We felt so unprepared but God used everything we brought for HIS GLORY! He is strong when we are weak.
At a school Team B went to people were so touched by God that they were laying on the floor unable to move. This was a public school!!!
Ian went out of his comfort zone and shared his testimony and God spoke through Him.
227 people came to Christ in one day at the medical outreach.
Sunday service at ICFPL- God used the team to bless the kids in the church. They rocked it out!!!
A seven-year-old boy prayed a prayer that inspired and convicted the team members present.
God is teaching us to be more transparent and allow our weaknesses to glorify Him!
God used Stephanie and Carolina (our translator) to touch the life of a young girl.
God has been telling us that He can use us in BIG ways even though we are all FAR FROM PERFECT!!!
Kevin (KOG) has been used in major ways to preach the gospel without shame or fear.
Shane and Dylan found Ashley’s passport when it was temporarily misplaced in the Houston airport.
The dance kept going even when the sound pooped out.
Shane was able to explain a drama to someone in Spanish without knowing exactly what he was saying.
God is teaching us not to complain. Your attitude can change someone’s life FOREVER.
Phyllis gave her testimony in a school and really touched the heart of a girl struggling with loneliness.
Team B went to a park and there were only a few people there, but they touched the heart of a man that needed to hear from God and the team had the chance to pray for him!
One of the host families washed the feet of 2 of our team members to show their gratitude.
God helped all of us be EXTREMELY flexible. Everything was changing all the time.
God was speaking to our bus driver the day that Team A was driving around to 6 different places to share the gospel.
When Jon gave his testimony the first time in a church service, he almost backed out, but God didn’t let him and then it was used to the glory of God in big ways!
Darren spoke something that really touched Cecil’s heart- it was straight from God!!!
Cecil and Shane’s family in SUBA was AMAZINGJ
Team A was invited in to a big school unexpectedly on our first day of ministry and God used it.
God used Christina’s testimony even though she was REALLY nervous.
God used our team to touch the heart of our translator Carolina and increase her faith.
Our translator, Carolina, is AMAZING and she was used by God to inspire our team to keep on trusting God even when it is difficult.
Team A pulled off a giant kids ministry with almost no preparation.
Carlos, the man with no hands, touched our lives and the lives of others forever. His testimony brought people to Christ.
Our team has gotten so close and God has knit our hearts together forever!!!
At the park in SUBA, this guy named Hector (a homeless man), was touched. He came to know Christ through contact with Amanda and other team members. When Amanda saw him the next day, his whole demeanor and expression was changed. It was obvious that God changed him from the inside out.
At the youth service at ICFPL, God used Jillian to touch a girl who needed prayer and encouragement. This girl was finally able to offer forgiveness to her biological parents and she received restoration.
The people of Columbia were so accepting and loving. They wanted to hear what God had to say and people everywhere were open to giving their lives to the Lord.
God used Emily in a big way one night to pray for a woman who desperately needed God.
Both teams learned the silence drama REALLY fast when the teams split up and it was used to touch the hearts of people.
EXITO was open to have us present Christ in the parking lot and now the door is open to future teams to do the same thing in the future. Believe it or not, people were so touched by God in the parking lot of a store!!!
God gave us insight into the life of Christ. We could never understand what He went through, but we most certainly feel closer to HIMJ
We walked forever in the rain and cold in Villetta and God spoke to Selena, “Would you walk this far to be with me? Would you walk this far to be with other believers? In other countries people can’t have “church” or they don’t even have shoes on their feet. It is such a gift to meet with me- don’t complain!”
God spoke to Selena through seeing the drama presentations. Some people laughed and the team got really dirty, but they really laughed at Jesus and He really was dirty- all to cover our sin with HIS GRACE!
Carlos in Villetta encouraged us all to rest in God and expect His blessings.
Carolina, Carolina, Carolina (our translator)- we love her so much!
God was able to work through the language barrier through…smiles, dances, silly handshakes, & games.
Piercings and tattoos have actually drawn people to hear about Christ.
Team B was at two different churches and Chelsea shared her testimony- God used it in a HUGE way!!!
We saw PRAYERS ANSWERED like crazy!!!
Chelsea got spit on and she gave glory to God for it!
We were encouraged by seeing people from different parts of the world who love God.
Our host homes encouraged us and prayed for us and worked REALLY hard to speak English so we could communicate.
Carlos gave Haley a really special present to help her understand how much God loves her and how God sees her as beautiful.
When we pray for people and they don’t even understand what we are saying- God uses it to touch their hearts!!!
God is showing us a lot!!!
Our host families treated us as their own and took such good care of us- they really adopted us as part of their families.
The missionaries in Funza were inspired by our team.

HOLY WOW AMAZING!!!

2009-07-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

There really aren't words to describe what continues to happen through our team in Columbia. While Team B was in Funza bringing hearts to Jesus, Team A presented the gospel in 3 public, schools, a local church, and facilitated a service for young adults (Unite in Bogata). Everywhere both teams went we saw hearts given to the Lord. At one location, almost an entire school made a decision to start following Christ- it was CRAZY! Our team continues to minister to students and adults, showing them what real freedom looks like. Sunday was filled with more of God's grace which included Katie preaching an impromptu sermon to a packed auditorium because the pastor lost his voice with Jon and Ian sharing their testimonies with more people than they ever imagined in a single setting. We can only say that HIS grace is enough for every day. Tomorrow, the whole team will be ministering in a slum of 2.5 million people on the side of a mountain. Pray that God will continue to pour out His love through us. We send our love from Bogota.

God sent the police!

2009-07-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

check it out!

We are LIVE from Colombia!

2009-07-26T06:13:00.001-07:00

go to

www.icfpl.tv.

at 9am, 10:30am & 12:30pm!

The Alive band & the drama team will be live on the internet! Check it out!

The silence drama in Suba!

2009-07-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

Colombia videos!

2009-07-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

More hearts surrendered to HIM!!!

2009-07-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Both teams were in a public school today telling students about the AWESOME love of Jesus!!! We were in a large group all together and then we took the senior guys and girls in separate groups and talked about purity from a Christian perspective. Almost the entire room of girls decided to begin a relationship with Christ and several boys gave their lives to God as well- it blew our minds!!! Tomorrow and Saturday we are off to two separate places (Team A and Team B) to present the gospel in schools, parks, and conduct services for various groups in the church. It will be a BUSY couple of days, but it is going to be AMAZING:) Thank you so much for standing with us!

Back in Civilization

2009-07-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hola friends & family!!! We are back in civilization after two days in the rural town of Villetta. We stayed at a retreat center for pastors and missionaries nestled in the mountains...it was beautiful!!! While we were there, we shared at a local church service to encourage local Christians to reach their community and we also did work with children in a refugee community. The kids from this community live in some of the worst poverty any of us have ever seen. We gave out candy, balloons, water, and lots of hugs & smiles:) The whole team did a wonderful job being energetic and loving.

Now we are back in various suburbs of Bogota for the remainder of our time here- we will be working with local churches, presenting the gospel in parks and public schools and loving, loving, loving like crazy!!! Our whole team has been AMAZING an we have had no major problems. Here are some prayer requests you can continue to lift up...

Energy and focus
Purposeful use of time
Health and stamina
Andrew May injured his finger in Villetta- pray for quick healing. It is not serious, but it was very painful for him. He is back to playing guitar and everything, but we still want his body to heal quickly.
GOD'S WILL TO BE DONE IN US AND THROUGH US- for us to have His eyes and His heart for the people here
PRAISE HIM!!! He has done wonderful things while we have been here- HE IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

227!

2009-07-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

PRAISE GOD! He is using us, all our prayers are being answered! Today 227 people accepted Christ! Through an all day Medical Outreach evangelism event. We preformed 2 adult presentations and 1 kids presentation. By the end of the day the director of the event said that 227 people wrote cards of accepting Christ! So now the director and pastors have ways to contant and reconnect with each one of them! AHH! I almost cannot contain my joy, because that is only 1 of the amazing ways God has worked... Yesterday for a youth outreach night, the spirit was thick, unreal, unlike what your imagining... but thicker than that. People were on their face before God, accpeting Christ, recommiting their lives, in worship and prayer! The people of Colombia really need an awakening of passion and desire for the true relational God! We´ve prayed for healing and salvation with people. We´ve presented the Gospel on rooftops, at a school and in random parks. We´ve shared hugs, money, our stories, God´s love and so many laughs I have a sore throat. Not only are the people of Colombia being greatly effected by God, our team is as well. The spirit has given us boldness to declare to anyone who will listen the freedom in Christ and Christ alone! So many lives are being effected thanks to your financial support, continual prayers and encouragement. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Update

2009-07-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

Colombia is magnifica'!!! We have all been paired and are staying with host families. They are so welcoming, although not very fluent! Which has been so interesting and fun! Tomorrow we are very busy and found out our schedule (due to change) for the next couple days. Which mainly consists of evangelism and outreach non-stop. Thank you guys so much for your prayers, we are already making an impact. It could be because 30 crazy americans are walking down the street passing our flyers, with terrible broken spanish, who knows? Haha. We are really excited that God has already started moving and will continue to move through us. What a blessing is it to be his servant!!! So this is rather vague but we don't have much time... if you have any questions or if we missed any information you guys want. Leave a comment and we'll answer asap.

Rejoice in the Lord always! Amen!

We´re here!

2009-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Hola! We are here, safe, and tired! Good night.

More updates to come.

On their way!

2009-07-15T08:35:00.001-07:00

Here's the pics from the airport!

Prayer List!

July 15 - Safety and focus as we enter this time of ministry

July 16 - Team unity and clarity in presentations

July 17 - Effective outreach

July 18 - Encouragement for the local church

July 19 - Energy and health for the team, clarity of speech and mind

July 20 - Lasting impact on the people of Colombia that they would understand the love of Jesus

July 21 - Compassion for one another and for the Colombian people - that we would all have God's eyes and heart

July 22- Flexibility and patience - for us to clearly show the LOVE of Jesus to EVERYONE we come in contact with!

July 23 - Health and energy for the team to continue to clearly present the gospel at every opportunity

July 24 - Safety and focus on what God still has for us to accomplish

July 25 - Boldness, team unity and willingness to surrender to God's will

July 26 - For the team: encourage and equip the church for lasting growth in Colombia

July 27 - For the team to continue to be patient and unified to finish out the trip with energy and zeal

July 28 - For the church to be strengthened and encouraged to be built up in HIS mighty LOVE!

July 29 - Safety and lasting impact on the Colombian Church and in the hearts of the team members!

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Night before...

2009-07-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hello! Ashley, Gibby, Dylan here... A little insight prior to leaving...

We should probably put something about Colombia...
How about we leave tomorrow?
Less then 16 hours for sure.
We leave in 13, and 11 minutes.
What?
Dylan doesn't do math very well.
What?! I was right.

I hope I don't run outta underwear.
I know! That's what I was thinking. Socks too.
Yeah, that's why I brought baby powder. I put it in my shoes.
Oh, really? Or you could just wear your socks twice, that's what I'm doing.
Alright I'm gunna go pray, or something. [Gibby exits] [Enter Don Ayers]

How do you guys feel about Colombia? It feels so surreal right now, I know I'm not going but still, it feels so weird.
It's just so weird to me because we leave tomorrow morning.
It's awesome because we've been practicing and praying so much for it... I'm ready.
I still don't think I'm ready for the dance.
I don't know, I just feel so weird right now... I can't believe you guys are going.
What time does your guys's flight actually leave?
Hm.. I don't know?
I know, we leave at 11:52.
Are you guys meeting at the airport?
Yes.
Make sure you get there early.
Yeah, we know. [Enter Ian]

You ready to go?
Yeah, lets go... See you tomorrow Dylan! Peace out Don.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Good night guys... pray for us tomorrow.

Why Go?

2009-07-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10: 14-15

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

"What are we here for, to have a good time with Christians or to save sinners?" Malla Moe

Please pray for us as we prepare to leave Wednesday!!! Ahh, it's so close. We still have dramas to tighten, the dance to finish and the children's presentation to practice. Pray for the team to be selfless servants of Christ who are flexible and united. Lastly, pray for the team members who still need their passports in the mail, and other team members who are raising their final support.

We love you!