Ask me anything in my name, I WILL DO IT. - Jesus

Oasis (our church) is still tiny, but the Lord is moving. He's allowing us to get lost in worshiping him. There is sweetness, rest and so much joy in his presence. We've been able to draw closer to God and one another, having the sweetest prayer times as a body. I have been blessed way more than I could ever deserve.

The prayer I had been passionately begging God for since January (to have a close friend during my time here) came to life when Beckah from Oklahoma arrived last week. This girl could not be anymore selfless, caring, fun, and a joy to be around! I just cannot get over God's goodness pouring out of my sister. I praise the Lamb for knowing exactly what we would both need and want in this season. Sharing our hearts in prayer, running to work, playing soccer in the rain, and building classrooms in our new community center together- Beckah is already so close to my heart and I could not be more thankful for her.

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I WILL DO IT." John 14:13-14

Jesus has promised us this. Don't waste your life asking for little things. Let's DREAM BIG and ask for huge things.

Even though we haven't gotten to interact or minister to many people yet, I know that His presence in us is enough. I have been getting a little worn down from the construction work at the center and teaching 9th grade physical science. It has been a challenge, but has made me come to the Father empty. He has led me to go on runs with him around the prison in our area. I pass tons of people on the sidewalks and long to tell them of the one who adores them with everlasting love. And although I don't stop them, HE DOES. His Holy Spirit is touching and ministering to each person I pass without me even saying a word. God is that powerful. He lives in us. He is able to set a person's heart on fire for him. I cannot do much here. But he can and I believe he is. I'm clinging to the unseen and trusting that the Spirit is accomplishing all of His works here.

He gave me a dream last week in which Jesus had written his name all over my arms in glow-in-the-dark ink. He is sending me into dark places, but I know who I belong to. With Jesus, I can do all things.

Please help us prayer for:

• unity in Oasis- we want our love for one another to abound more and more and draw people to Jesus.
• divine appointments- we long to share Christ with these people, but need him to lead us and give us the courage to take the opportunities he gives us.
• supernatural peace, rest, love and joy for the missionaries here. Their lives can get overwhelming with all they're trying to do for the kingdom. Pray for their marriage and family to be blessed more than ever before.
• knowledge- we want to hear the Holy Spirit and obey him in every situation. Pray for him to pour out himself onto us and for us to respond with humility, worship and obedience.

Your prayers > all of the jungles on earth+ every gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream ever made

In other words, MUCHISMAS GRACIAS!!!!!!!

Where flowers grow...

First of all, I want to thank everyone who sowed into God's harvest and gave. God used each of you to make this mission possible and I am so grateful for you.

Amazing how the three things God put on my heart several weeks ago to pray for: JOY, HEALING, and FREEDOM- are the things this new church needs the most. Carrying baggage and mistrust, each person here needs the Lord to work. A little while ago the missionaries got a vision of birds sitting in cages with the doors open. God has released us all to experience his healing and joy in freedom. Yet, many have a hard time using the wings that God has so lovingly given.

Today he gave a vision of beautiful parrots of many colors, flying up towards the light pouring through jungle vines. Jesus was on the ground looking up and marveling at his work and even showing others. We receive this.

Our new church, Oasis met for the second time today. With a congregation of just 11 people (8 on the worship team and 3 in the pews) we are few, but praying for God to send others to experience his love and rest in this refuge. Worship today was powerful and so sweet. The Holy Spirit is moving. All we want is to worship God and let him draw his children in off the streets, into his Oasis.

My days have been spent teaching science and outdoor games at the MK school, which has been a great experience so far. In May I told God if I could do anything, I'd want him to use my love for his creation to bring girls closer to him and his love. Well guess what. I'm teaching two 9th grade girls about his creation in science and I get to talk about him as much as I want. HA! God is so cool.

A few days ago, I woke up feeling weary and overwhelmed about planning my lessons. I had a headache too. I read a sign in the missionaries' house (where I'm living at the moment) which said:

"Where flowers grow, hope blossoms."

I then checked facebook to see that sweet Lacey Tomberline was praying for me. God heard her prayers and took away my headache and fatigue, so I went on a run. Running around the large prison in the neighborhood, I looked at the huge concrete walls and many barbwire fences. I thought it strange that so many wild, exotic flowers of all colors were growing high on these barriers. Flowers also covered the large fields, separating the prison from the road. Then the Lord reminded me, "Where flowers grow, hope blossoms." He gave me the privilege of praying for the men inside as I ran around the prison. God is always offering hope. He is extremely redemptive. Let's trust more in him and the unseen, instead of what we see.

Please continue praying for the Holy Spirit to set this place on fire for his name. That each of us would burn with a ravaging passion for him. Pray for people to recognize their thirst for him and be satisfied by Jesus alone.

I praise God for each of you. You are all in my heart and prayers.

I delight, I delight, I delight in you!

Amazing how God is always wanting to speak to us...even at 6am after you've only had 3 hours of sleep. The spunky 8 year old boy sitting next to me on my first flight wouldn't stop jabbering about the clouds, his ipod, the lightning, our pilot, Oregon, baseball, whatever was on his mind- he wanted to tell me all about it. I was tempted to sleep and ignore him more than once. But he was so excited about everything and his freckled face so enthusiastic, that I couldn't help but smile. I was actually enjoying myself, just listening and taking in his childlike wonder. I felt my heart growing warm. Then God spoke.

"This is how I feel about you. When you share all of your thoughts with me. I love the wonder in your eyes when your faith is like a child's and I can so easily amaze you. I even love it when you talk so much to me, that you forget to listen. I reeeeeeeally like seeing you excited. My heart grows warmer and warmer just being with you. I delight, I delight, I delight in you!"

He's pretty incredible. On Sunday I visited a new church in Birmingham. A girl came to me after the service and prayed for me. I had never met her, but God (like countless times) told her exactly what to pray. She saw him singing loudly over me and waving with all of his might, a banner of PEACE and LOVE. I had been asking him fervently for his peace to fill my family's home for several days. It made me realize, God has emotions. He gets excited. He sings LOUDLY. Ha! He kept saying to me,

"I delight, I delight, I delight in you!"

He is so glorified when we allow him to sing loudly over us and declare his crazy love to us. His heart grows warmer and warmer when we let him delight in us, and turn our hearts to him. He is crazy generous with his love. So let go of any guilt, feelings of inadequacy, or anything hindering you from accepting his love.

 LET HIM delight in you. Your heart will be so full that you cannot do anything but love him.