Redefining Strength

I use to be strong
A stable, confident person
Sure of my beliefs.
Comfortable.

Then God came along.
He showed me a new reality.
My eyes were open to new ways.
Different customs.

I´m not sure what I believe anymore.
Now I don´t feel that strong.
Insecurities flood my thoughts.
Uncomfortable.

But there is comfort in the unknown
A relief that control is not with me.
No, I have intrusted my life in someone greater.
Someone who is so much wiser that I.

In Him I am strong
I recieve stability and confidence
And an assurance from Him.
In God I find rest.


¨That is why, for Christ´s sake, I delight in weakness... in difficulties. For when I am weak, I am strong.¨ -2 Corinthians 12:10

A Service to Remember

At the young adults retreat there was a certian worship service that I will not easily forget. A service filled with a new light on worship that I had not experinced before.

It started with praise and worship, like the others that week had. Clapping, jumping and loud chanting at times created a lively atmosphere. During one of the slower more moving songs, the speaker of the day took the mike and began speaking about possibly what the song inspired him to tell us- I am not sure really because his spanish was hard for me to understand. But before I knew it, youth were bawlling around me. Youth started heading up to the front starting an alter call of sorts. They were kneeling, weeping and crying out to God while at the same time sharing testimonies at the mike. As more time passed, even more youth headed to the front. By now there was loud wailing and crying from all around. People I knew from my youth group were up. They reconized how undeserving we are of His love and were litterally falling to their knees in repentance.

While everything was unfolding around me, I felt like a silent observer among the group. I had been introduced to this style of worship before in Asuncion , but nothing of this intensity. Watching everyone, I could feel the importance of this moment for some present. But I personally was unable to connect the same way. Maybe it was the language barrier or maybe the newness of the style of worship.

Even though I was unable to connect, this moment gave me appreciation for different styles of worship. There is something valuable to be taken out of any style of worship, weather it be a new way of connecting to God or a deeper understanding of the global church. By seeing worship in a different context, I was reminded of how complex and indiscribable God is.

The Art of Play

Life has been busy recently! Over the holidays there has been a LOT of traveling...

1. Going with the team to Argentina to renew our visas
2. Visiting the Chaco with my host family for the holidays
3. Going to Casaapa to visit Rosanna, a friend at church
4. Attending the Youth Retreat for the Mennonite Conference in Paraguay

What do all four of this trips have in common? Learning the Art of Play. What exactly does that mean you may say? Well for me- it means learning to live life to the fullest. When life throws you a curve, as South American travel usually does, learning to take it with a smile. When you do not understand what is going on, which is a common occurance when learning a new language, learning to ask questions and laugh at your self along the way. When God blesses you with beautiful moments, like visiting Iguazu Falls, learning to thank him constantly.

During my time in the Chaco, I had the opportunity to see what genunie play looks like. My host moms father was the source of this moment. Over my stay in their house, it was not unusual to see him running right along side his grandchildren. This served as a great reminder for me. I too want to keep the art of play in my life. God desires for us to have a child like faith. He wants us to come running to him with our arms wide open, ready for his warm embrace.

Today I challenge all of us to redefine what it play looks like in our life. There is nothing to loose... and I am finding it to be a lot of fun :)