We're Back, It's Story Time!!

It's taken me way too long to post these stories, and I apologize.  But I'm doing it now!

So, Wednesday and Thursday (6/8-6/9) were traveling days.  I had tried to write my testimony on the plane, just in case I needed it while in Uruguay, but nothing was making sense and in the end I just gave up.  I thought that God would give me one later if necessary, and I'm not sure if that was God or procrastination talking.  After we landed in Chile, I enjoyed the weirdest birthday I have ever experienced (the "enjoyment" cutesy of our amazing missions team, you guys blessed me tremendously that day :D), we got a good nights rest in a safe hotel, thank God, and then spent the next 24 hours (Friday 6/10-Saturday morning) in the Santiago airport.  I had really believed that God was telling me we would leave sometime Friday, but I was mistaken and rather discouraged.  After a rough night's sleep, we finally flew out of Santiago and were on our way to Montevideo.  God gave me my testimony on that flight, about how faith is important, but if what you believe is not a part of God's plan (i.e., getting out of the airport Friday), it wont' happen.  It turns out, a very dear member of Sinai (the church in Montevideo) had passed away, and having us there would have been an added stress and inconvenience.  God always has a plan!

Saturday afternoon went by very quickly.  When we arrived in Montevideo, we learned that the kids attending our VBS/Kid's Carnival had been waiting for us for a few hours.  We shoveled down some (very delicious!) lunch and got started right away, and the kids loved it.  I hope that God used our lesson (no matter how unrehearsed and improvised it may have been :D) to bless those kids!

The youth service Saturday night was amazing.  I met some wonderful friends that night!!  I shared my testimony along with Rhonda, and Niki gave the message.  What impacted me the most, however, was the worship.  It's so energetic, real, and free!  One way they worship is with dance (awesome.), whether choreographed or just jumping up and down like a maniac.  I was able to join them in the dancing-like-a-maniac-for-the-Lord part.  Megan also performed her dance to "Come As You Are", and I can't stop telling her... Megan- you have never been so beautiful as when you were dancing for the Lord. <3 One of my new friends, Kelsey, asked for our team to pray over her (which came as a surprise to me!), which lead to many people laying their  worries out before the Lord.  The Holy Spirit was there, at a youth service!  I guess we just have to welcome in.  One thing is for sure though, I will make sure that our youth group gets out of our routine when it comes to worship.  Now that I've experienced such freedom and passion in worship, I will not go back! :)

Sunday (6/12) was a nice day of rest.  Our wonderful translator Daniela (whom I love very much! <3) took us to the market and to Villa Camila (pronounced Visha Camila), the satalite church we were to paint the next few days.  The area we were in is vastly different from the US, but I instantly fell in love with it.  The beauty comes from the simplicity, I think.  For the Sunday service, Pastor Charlie preached a message about the Holy Spirit lifting us up to the line God sets for us, and it was very powerful.  Again, the Holy Spirit showed up, more than I had ever seen before.  Practically the whole congregation of about 150 was in front of the stage, worshiping God, shouting prayers, falling down..  it was truly amazing.  We had to keep moving the chairs back so there was enough room!  Later that night, we were all relaxing in the kitchen after yet another wonderful meal, all singing Revelation Song with Esteban playing.. it was fun!  Daniel scratched our previous plan of Annie, Niki, Mom and I singing that with Niki leading, and there was a new plan.. everyone sings it!  Bad news: I was leading, Niki was harmonizing (this goes against every fiber of my being since NIKI HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND SHOULD LEAD!)  When the time came to sing it for the pastor's dinner the next night, though, God taught me that it didn't matter who was leading, if my voice sounded good or not, if I was even on pitch.. as long as we were worshiping him, he would make it beautiful.  And I am so glad I got the chance to learn that.

Monday (6/13) was a long day of painting.  I was miserably cold, but whenever I felt like complaining, God would remind me that I was in a foreign country with amazing people, painting HIS house of worship.  I was blessed!  The pastor's dinner was a success, and many pastors and leaders from the district attended.  I also learned that night that I am NOT cut out to be a waitress (I must have spilled 7 or 8 times!).

Tuesday morning was more painting, and I started talking a lot to my new awesome friend Vivian!  Now we talk everyday on facebook, and I love her!  Rhonda and Daniel had been working very hard on the door to Villa Camila, and it looks WONDERFUL!  Pics coming later, or just look on facebook.  That night we went to seminary in Montevideo (after a rather bumpy car ride:D), and that was very interesting.  Pastor Charlie, Mrs. Gina, and Pastor Ramon (husband of Pastor Elba, the pastor of Sinai) were running a little late, so this one lady requested to lead everyone in worship.  Everyone started singing and clapping, and it was so high energy!  I was amazed yet again at the freedom they have in their worship.

Wednesday was MORE painting, this time at La Mission, a discipleship program.  We made a lot of new friends there, and I will be looking into participating after college.  That night was our last church service before we left Sinai, and it was amazing yet again.  Mrs. Gina taught about turning fear into faith, and Mrs. Alisha and Mom shared their testimonies.  It was powerful.  People were laying hands on her, and everyone was praying for her healing, and she was even anointed with oil!  The two of us were bawling.  Pastor Elba held up 20 slips of paper for mom to write her name on, so the congregation could pray for her.  There was an immediate race to get a slip, then they stampeded towards mom, talking to us in spanish, hugging us and kissing us.  Mom started crying all over again.  It was amazing that so many people were so excited about praying for Mom.  I am proud to report that she is home, after a successful surgery, and she continues to get better everyday <3

Saying goodbye to everyone was so hard, Wednesday night and Thursday.  God placed a love for these people in my heart, and I WILL be back!  Thanks to everyone who walked this journey with me.  God blessed me through it, and through you. <3