Today was our last full day in Duitama. Thank you for your prayers – we have seen God work in so many personal ways.
Today was a unique opportunity for our students. Our leadership team has operated all along on the belief that students grow most when they are given real leadership opportunities in real life situations. During our planning time before the trip, we let the students decide what kind of housing they thought we should go with. Rather than paying for a hostel or hotel, they unanimously voted to sleep on the floor of the church we were going to support to save money. We weren’t sure how God would use these extra funds but we were stepping out in faith knowing He could do something more than we imagined with it. God did exactly that when He connected us with the displaced family from Venezuela.
Mr. Becker and I looked at the funds we had left in our budget after a week of ministry, and handed it over to the students, who took the time to strategize in what ways we could best serve the community with what we had left. We had found the family a place to stay for the month but it was completely unfurnished. Though our leadership team offered perspectives our students might overlook as they vision cast, the high schoolers designed a plan all on their own, balancing the family’s needs with a desire to let them take ownership of their living situation. They spent the afternoon in different teams, purchasing the food and necessities they’d organized and delivering it to our friends. They were able to save enough money to help with a month of rent, as well as donate to the church and rehabilitation center where we spent so much time this week.
It was amazing to watch students step up to the challenge and wrestle with what day-to-day missions is like on a practical level. We may make some mistakes in ministry, but we can learn from those. If we are never willing to take risks for Christ, then we will never make any kind of impact.
We are finishing our last night together in musical worship and thanksgiving for what the Lord has done. Please pray that God would seal up the things we’ve learned this week and show us what steps to take to continue pursuing Him and His will intentionally at home as we have here. This week, we all get a special opportunity to reflect on what Christ has done for us and the total authority that is His through His resurrection. May we be able to live our lives in light of that ultimate reality.
Reflection verse of the day:
“In the same way, those of you who do not
give up everything you have cannot be My disciples.“
Luke 14:33
Happy Birthday, Juli! You spent your special day taking leadership over planning and executing the ministry opportunity that the Lord invited us into with this Venezuelan family. God is going to use your faithfulness and compassion to do great things for His kingdom!
In Christ, Bethany Litteral
Thank you for the daily updates. I felt a part of your trip. I praise God for the many ways you are learning to serve, coming alongside brothers and sisters in Christ and just allowing God to use you. Praise God for team Duitama! Welcome home.