Mary’s Adventure

3/20/2010

Holy Ghost and thirty hours of no sleep

Preaching the life of God

My favorite. Praying for hungry hearts. An amazing night.

The people blessed me so much with their love. The children were so much fun.

When the church prayed for us it was overwhelming.

Hahahaha. love this.

Pasting posters for the festival.

A fun night.

Right now I am sitting with good friends, we are are enjoying a wonderful Colombian breakfast..eggs, and platino....which is amazing, banana basically in a waffle maker. Very good. Its not even 9.30am we are in air conditioning. Thank Jesus!!!!!
I arrived safe and sound yesterday 3.30pm. My awesome cousin Andrew picked me up from the airport and even as we were waiting for our luggage you could feel the heat. After 25 and a half hours of flights and airports I was ready to breath some clean air....spend time with people I love and sleep....lying down!!!
However....when Andrew first invited me to come and visit and be apart of the festival I knew it would be something I could not fully prepare for. I thought I was prepared....little did I know.......
It was so good to see Andrew and BE IN COLOMBIA!!!! It is a beautiful place. A minute later we got a taxi and began a little ride to the bus station where we were going to take an hour long bus ride....and then a 20 min. bc ride........its a man who petals a bike and you sit behind him in a 2 wheeled cart. I was so excited.....but I was so tired too. Andrew began right away telling me about the latest details in prep for the festival. ...and then he casually said...and tonight at church you are the guest preacher! I thought he was joking at first.....but no....hahahaha. God is so funny!!!!!!! Good thing I was journaling like mad on the plane....He was preparing me for being ready to jump in head first as soon as I got there. The drivers are crazy here....nothing like Thailand though, so Im ok...not like I am planning on driving here.....but I will not ever say never.
We took a gorgeous bus ride along the ocean and on our way to Cienega where we will stay for a few days and I would finally meet my new cousin Rocio....who married my cousin a year and a half ago. After piling my backpack, carry on, Andrews suitcase for the festival and few other things he picked up for it....plus him and I in the bc ride......I felt so tired for that poor guy who now had to get on his bike and take us to the hotel!!! 
Meeting Rocio has changed my life...she is amazing!!!! I knew she was, but meeting her in person excites me that we are family. I know its the begining of a very special friendship! 
I was happy to finally be at the hotel.....however though I had 1 hour to clean up, unpack, clarify the message I was preaching tonight and try to rest....since I had been up for almost 30 hours.
Needless to say, showers are overated, cause we will just sweat anyway......I knew God was going to do great things....and He moved incredibly. After I preached people were touched and many fell under the presence and there were words spoken. I had an incredible time the children......it was the first time that I was surrounded by the real people of Colombia........their church was an open roofed concrete building......it was beautiful...I have never preached under the stars, when there is a warm breeze blowing. I told Andrew after that I feel like IM exactly where God has destined me to be for this time in my life. So often we are where He wants us to be....but we dont feel it........I havent been here 24 hours yet and I know it and feel it.
After a night of friendship making, preaching and praying......we went out and put up flyers all over the city till about midnight........I have met so many good friends already!!!! 
Right before we left Rocio and Andrew told me that at 8am this morning I would be speaking for half an hour to a school. And then they told me I would be speaking from 12.30 to 4.30pm at the university here. .....and everyday till Saturday!!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!! Ok. 
I went to bed last night about 12.30pm and I woke up at 5.30pm, since I needed to wash my hair and prep for teaching this morning and David was picking me up at 7.40am. It tunred out that the school was not in session today, so I didnt to speak this morning......but this afternoon I am speaking to different classes at the university. Please pray that God would draw each heart to himself.
I am so enjoying my time here...hoping I might take a nap yet this morning, I am very tired......before I have to speak. Thank you for your prayer. I can not thank you enough. I know the reason I have been able to have the energy and the right words....is because God is doing things. He is good.
May you know also in your life...through those jumping off the cliff moments...the evident power of God that takes you through situations and gives you what you need to live fully, every moment.  -Mary