God's Purpose for Our Lives!

       Do you know that feeling when you know that you were chosen for a bigger and greater purpose? That feeling of knowing exactly what you were called to do? Well, this feeling is no coincidence, it's the Holy Spirit constantly reminding us of our calling and guiding us to what we are suppose to be doing. Whenever I hear the Holy Spirit talking to me, it brings me so much joy, because it reassures what I already know in my heart and it empowers me to keep going and doing more for the Lord. If you don't know yet what you were called to do, I suggest you start asking God to tell you what it is. He wants to use you, in ways that you can't even imagine. He is a true gentleman and will show up when you call by His name. Things start happening when we start moving. Of course, He might use people around us to point us to the right direction, but nothing is more special than God speaking to us directly.
         I've known what I was called to be doing since a very young age, walking in the streets of Fortaleza/Brazil with my two brothers and my mom preaching the Gospel to the people we encountered. We had pamphlets in our hands, and we were very excited to be there and talk to people about Jesus. Of course we didn't completely understand the Gospel, and every story in the Bible, far from that, but we knew we were doing something good. I don't remember a moment of us whining or complaining because we were walking under the hot sun of Fortaleza (boy it was hot). We always got extra excited when somebody invited us in their homes to talk under the shade, while drinking some soft drinks.
            How important was for my mom to bring us with her during evangelism, because she planted a little seed inside of us that would never die. But it would grow little by little, into what we are still doing until this day. Being used by God and still preaching the good news to those in need and just sharing the love of Jesus. I'm so privileged and blessed beyond words to be a disciple of Jesus and have this calling for my life. Everyday I ask Him for this passion never to die inside of me, but to grow and allow me to be his hands and feet in this earth each time more. I hope and pray with this short post you will pursue God for clarity in your ministry and if you are already engaged in a ministry, that you keep your calling alive and active and don't ever allow nothing to bring you down.

-Blessings!

 Carol

 ♡ ♡ ♡

          Sabe aquela sensação quando você sabe que você foi escolhido para um propósito maior em sua vida? Essa sensação de saber exatamente o que você foi chamado para fazer? Bem, esse sentimento não é coincidência, é o Espírito Santo constantemente lembrando-nos da nossa vocação e nos guiando para o que devemos estar fazendo. Sempre que ouço o Espírito Santo falando comigo, ele me traz tanta alegria, porque tranquiliza o que eu já sei em meu coração e me capacita a continuar e fazer mais para o Senhor. Se você ainda não sabe o que você foi chamado para fazer, eu sugiro que você comece pedir a Deus para lhe dizer o que é. Ele quer usá-lo, de forma que você não pode sequer imaginar. Ele é um verdadeiro cavalheiro e vai aparecer quando você chamar pelo Seu nome. As coisas começam a acontecer quando começamos a nos mover. Claro, ele pode usar as pessoas ao nosso redor para nos apontar para a direção certa, mas nada é mais especial do que Deus falando diretamente conosco.
         Eu sei para que fui chamada à fazer desde muito nova, andando nas ruas de Fortaleza com meus dois irmãos e minha mãe pregando o Evangelho às pessoas que encontrávamos. Tínhamos panfletos em nossas mãos, e ficávamos muito animados por estar lá e falar com as pessoas sobre Jesus. Claro que não entendíamos completamente o Evangelho, e cada história na Bíblia, longe disso, mas sabíamos que estávamos fazendo algo de bom. Não me lembro de um momento de nós estar reclamando porque estávamos andando sob o sol quente de Fortaleza (e como era quente). Sempre ficávamos animados quando alguém nos convidava para entrar em suas casas para descansar sob a sombra, enquanto bebíamos refrigerantes.
         Quão importante foi nossa mãe nos levar com ela durante a evangelização, porque ela plantou uma pequena semente dentro de nós que nunca iria morrer. Mas ele iria crescer pouco a pouco, para o que ainda estamos fazendo até hoje. Sendo usados por Deus e ainda pregando as boas novas para aqueles que precisam e apenas compartilhando o amor de Jesus. Sou tão privilegiada e abençoadas além do que as palavras possam expressar, ser um discípula de Cristo e ter este chamado para a minha vida. Todos os dias peço à Ele que essa paixão nunca morra dentro de mim, mas que cresça e me permita ser suas mãos e seus pés nesta terra cada vez mais. Espero e oro que com este breve texto você busque à Deus por direção em seu ministério e se já está em um ministério, que você permaneça  com seu chamdo vivo e ativo e não permita que nada te desanime.

Sua irmã em Cristo,

Carol

Mexico Adventures - DTS Outreach

When I came to Mexico, my plan was only to be a Mission Volunteer for the three month period in the YWAM Tijuana Base. Many of the people I met along the way started telling me about the upcoming DTS that was about to start and also I was able to meet many of the students who had just come back from their outreach trips. For me I had no plan at all to do DTS at first, but as time passed I started putting some thought into it and praying about it. God got me good, letting me think I was only staying in Mexico for three months. There I was after the three month period as a Mission Builder inside the classroom of the September 2015 Compassion in Action DTS alongside forty or so other students for another adventure, this time of five months. To be completely honest, I had nothing financially starting the school. I was so overwhelmed and thinking to myself what I was getting myself into. But I started the school with the burning desire to learn more about God and his kingdom and trusting He would provide everything I needed.

I did everything I could, sold illustrations & cookies, and even did a photoshoot for donations. Spent a lot of time in prayer and fasting, and also told people about the school I was starting, asking for prayer to people I encountered and friends and family online. It was completely overwhelming, and I had to learn to wait (literally) and put my trust in God completely. As time passed, God used people around me to support me in the most amazing ways I hadn't ever seen before. Day after day God was showing up and telling me He was with me in this season of my life. 

Lecture phase went by flying and outreach was around the corner but I still hadn't all the amount I needed. I kept seeing other students jumping with joy after their outreach was all paid and I was happy for them but was holding my tears in because it was something I also wanted for my life. I kept talking to God and saying if He wanted me to stay and do a local outreach I would still be grateful for bringing me this far and still would be happy if this was his plan for my life. But little did I know, He wanted me to go with my team to do our outreach in Chiapas & Oaxaca! He blessed the desire of my heart. 

It is crazy to think outreach is already over. So many amazing experiences my team and I lived for these past two months in Chiapas & Oaxaca. We started our journey with no ideia exactly how it would look like, where we would be staying or what we would be doing. The first week in Chiapas we stayed in the YWAM base directed by Marquinhos, where we got to serve in an orphanage called "Casa Hogar". It was a time to serve the orphanage, where we helped with cleaning bathrooms & walls, kitchen duties, got to lead worship and help look out after the sweetest boys ever. Along with whatever was asked of us during the week. It was a time where God reminded us once again of his love for the orphans, and how He is their father no matter what. and that He already has adopted them all in his family. We also got to tour the Canon del Sumidero and see the beauty of God's creation.

The second week of outreach we got to serve in a church called "Alas de Águila" in San Cristóbal de las Casas still in Chiapas. We got an awesome opportunity to work in their local radio station daily, giving sermons, playing worship and just sharing the love of Christ to whoever was listening. We also had kids ministry, where daily lessons and games were given to the kids according to the scriptures. All the girls (9 of us) shared one big room, where we all slept on the floor for the entire week and the guys (4 of them) slept by the radio station's little room. We had to cook and prepare most all of our meals, and we borrowed our neighbor's kitchen for this period of time. We performed evangelistic dramas at the church and also outside a hospital area for many people. We got to share our testemonies and sermons and God was glorified through our lives.

 

Third and fourth week we had the opportunity to do ministry in the indiginious tribes in the mountains of Chiapas. We traveled hours in back of trucks in the dirt roads and got to see first hand God's masterpiece: mountains covered in trees, the most beautiful landscape our eyes could ever contemplate. To get to some the tribes we had to hike up mountains. It was hours of intense hikes and we also had our hiking backpacks which made it a bit more difficult. But it was totally worth it, because as soon as we got to the church we would be staying at, we were received by the sweetest people ever. They were curious to know our names, where we were from and just be around us. They lived in simple houses, and were used to live simply but their meals were amazing and prepared with lots of love. We got to help in church sermons, giving testemonies, sermons, worship, kids ministry and just spending time with the families. 

Fifth and sixth week of outreach we flew to Oaxaca City where Pastor Jorge was waiting for us. He told us that a lot of our ministry would be helping in the construction of the church he's pastoring, "Mi Esperanza" in Cuicatlan. We stayed in a house where there was a bedroom for the girls and a separate one for the guys. Every meal either was in the Pastor's house or inside the construction site, where there is a temporary place for the services, and it was prepared by the ladies from the church or the pastor's wife. They have the most beautiful, sweet, servant hearts ever, always giving us the best they could. The ministry involved a lot of cement mixing and carrying many buckets of concrete up small hills to the place the walls were being built. It was a very different ministry for some us, since not all of us had worked with construction before, but for sure we did it with all of our hearts. We also worked with kids ministry, telling people about our testemonies and gving sermons. We also spent some time in an orphanage called "Casa Hogar". We painted the children's rooms, worked in the kitchen, cleanup and whatever was requested of us.

Final two weeks of outreach we spent in a small town called Cacalote. We were staying in a base called "Roca Blanca" where they offer bible school, music school and many other classes. The base is located in an amazing location, next to a beautiful beach. While we got to do ministry, we got to enjoy a beautiful view. Our rooms were pretty cool too, with a view to the ocean. We helped in many different things, got to clean the main street of the town & the school and worked in different ministries. We did a lot of kids ministry, doing dramas, giving sermons and our testemonies. A missionary couple that lived in the town, Matt & Crystal with their two children Mckensie & Elijah, who were partners with the base, were our hosts the whole time we were there. Driving us to our ministries and wherever we needed to go, letting us do our laundry at their house and even their internet to communicate with our families. They were a blessing the entire time we were there. Nine of eleven students from our team, myself included, decided to get baptized while we were there! We wanted to seal once again our walk with the Lord and everything we had experienced and learned with Him. And guess who baptized us all? Matt and Crystal! It was a special moment and we were glad they were part of this moment with us.

What I learned the most? God is way bigger than what we imagine! We think God is amazing and powerful? Multiply this thought by a million! God's faithfullness is everywhere! He is with those people in the mountains we visited, that men's eyes can't see from far away, but He can. May what we lived be carried everywhere we go. Missions is all around us! 

"THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES IN ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END OF AGE." -MATTHEW 28:19

↟embracing the new ↟

       

         For the last couple of weeks we have had morning devotionals at 6:45am in the prayer house and the students could sign up to share something if they wanted to. I knew I had and wanted to share something and I couldn't let the chance pass by. Not because I am an awesome speaker or something like that, but just because I knew I had to take up this challenge. For me personally that's how I grow personally and spiritually. Not allowing something that scares me, stop me from doing it, and of course things that I know are good and beneficial for me. Trust me, I usually get nervous at times like this, but I had prayed and asked God to remove all fear and He did!

        I knew I wanted to speak about one of the subjects a lot of us deal with, which is the fear of men. But what happens is that one of our speakers of the week would be talking on this subject the following week so I knew I had to choose something different to speak about. I know nothing happens just out of coincidence, but because God wants it to. Picking a different subject wasn't easy because I already knew what I wanted to speak about and already had planned what I wanted to say.

       It wasn't until the night before that God gave me a word: homesick. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) 

      Being in a new environment is always challenging. We are not where we are used to and everything is so different. But we have to keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, and for sure the new moment we are in won't be forever. God gives us new seasons, new challenges and we have to embrace it as much as we can, even when we are missing home the most. Living new and different things opens our eyes to things we would never think of, new cultures and new people. We never know who we're going to meet, who we're going to help and vice-versa. Even when it's being so hard to adapt, we have to ask God strength in this time and for Him to show us what we can do to totally be in the moment. 

Blessings! =)

Carolina

❤ ❤ ❤

       Nas últimas semanas, tivemos devoções matinais às 6h45 na casa de oração e os alunos puderam se inscrever para compartilhar algo se eles quisessem. Eu sabia que tinha e queria compartilhar algo e eu não podia deixar a oportunidade passar. Não porque eu sou uma grande pregadora, ou algo assim, mas só porque eu sabia que tinha que assumir este desafio. Para mim pessoalmente, é assim que eu cresço pessoalmente e espiritualmente. Não permitindo que algo que me desafie me impeça de fazê-lo. Claro,  coisas que eu sei que são boas e benéficas para mim. Confie em mim, eu costumo ficar nervoso e ansiosa em momentos como este, mas eu havia orado e pedido à Deus para remover todo o medo e Ele fez conforme minha oração!

       Eu sabia que eu queria falar sobre um dos temas que muitos de nós lidamos, que é o temor do homen. Mas o que acontece é que um dos nossos preletores da semana estarí falando sobre este assunto na semana seguinte, então eu sabia que tinha que escolher algo diferente para falar. Eu sei que nada acontece por simples coincidência, mas porque Deus quer que assim seja. Achar um assunto diferente não foi fácil porque eu já sabia o que eu queria falar e já tinha planejado tudo o que eu queria dizer.

      Não foi até a noite anterior que Deus me deu algo para falar: saudades de casa. "Não se conforme ao padrão deste mundo, mas transformem-se pela renovação da sua mente, para que sejam capazes de experimentar e comprovar a vontade de Deus - boa, agradável e perfeita" (Romanos 12: 2)

        Estar em um novo ambiente é sempre um desafio. Nós não estamos onde estamos acostumados e tudo é tão diferente. Mas temos que ter em mente que nada dura para sempre, e com certeza o novo momento que estamos não será para sempre. Deus nos dá novas estações, novos desafios e temos que abraçá-los tanto quanto pudermos, mesmo quando estamos com saudades de casa. Viver coisas novas e diferentes abre nossos olhos para coisas que nunca pensaríamos, novas culturas e novas pessoas. Nós nunca sabemos quem vamos encontrar, quem vamos ajudar e vice-versa. Mesmo quando está sendo tão difícil em se adaptar, temos que pedir à Deus força neste momento e pedir à Ele para que nos mostre o que podemos fazer para estar totalmente no momento.

Deus abençõe! =)

Carol

  

No Weapon Formed Against us Shall Prosper

So it's official! I'm going to Oaxaca & Chiapas for my DTS outreach phase with twelve other students led by two awesome leaders. We will be working with indiginous people, where we will be taking medical needs to them and also we will be doing street evangelism! What an awesome time will be! I can't put it into words my excitment. God is awesome and I know amazing things He will do there and I thank Him for giving me a special time such as this to spread his word and serve radically. 

Through every new journey God puts me in, I count with all the help I can from friends and family around me. This is how you can support:

PRAYER: We know the power prayer has. Pray that God will guide me in this new season and that I may learn  from everything He has to show me. Pray for understanding, wisdom and knowledge. Also pray that God may provide the financial support I need.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: 

Please consider financially supporting my outreach phase, any amount is highly appreciated. At the moment my goal is U$1,500.00.

You can donate directly in the student's section in the YWAM website through this link: https://ywamsdb.webconnex.com/Students (When selecting the course or seminar, choose Compassion in Action DTS)

Through PayPal. Click on "send" and enter my email carolinalais2010x@gmail.com

By mailing a check to (100 West 35th Street, Suite R National City, CA PO BOX 91950) Make a check payable to YWAM San Diego/Baja, not my name. Attach a note saying the support is for Carolina Silva.

God bless!

Carolina

Então é oficial! Eu estou indo para Oaxaca e Chiapas para minha fase prática da ETED, com doze outros estudantes liderados por dois líderes incríveis. Nós estaremos trabalhando com os povos indígenas, onde estaremos levando necessidades médicas para eles e também nós estaremos fazendo evangelismo nas ruas! Que tempo maravilhoso será! Eu não posso expressar em palavras a minha emoção. Deus é incrível e eu sei que coisas incríveis Ele vai fazer por lá e sou muito grata à Ele por me dar um momento tão especial como esse para espalhar sua palavra e servir radicalmente.

Através de cada nova jornada Deus me coloca em, eu conto com toda a ajuda que puder de amigos e familiares. Como você pode ajudar: 

ORAÇÃO: Nós sabemos como a oração tem poder. Ore para que Deus me guie nesta nova temporada e que eu possa aprender com tudo o que Ele tem para me mostrar. Ore para compreensão, sabedoria e conhecimento. Também ore para que Deus possa fornecer o apoio financeiro que eu necessito. 

"Por isso vos digo, tudo o que pedires em oração, crede que recebestes, e será assim convosco." Marcos 11:24

AJUDA FINANCEIRA: Por favor, considere me apoiar financeiramente nesta fase prática, qualquer quantidade é muito apreciada. No momento meu objetivo é de U $ 1.500,00. 

Você pode doar diretamente no site YWAM na sessão de estudantes através deste link  https://ywamsdb.webconnex.com/Students (ao selecionar o curso ou seminário, escolha "Compassion in Action DTS)

Você pode doar através do PayPal. Clique em "enviar" e insira meu e-mail carolinalais2010x@gmail.com. 

Ou enviando um cheque para (100 West 35th Street, Suite R National City, CA PO BOX 91950) Faça um cheque nominal à JOCUM San Diego / Baja, não em meu nome. Anexe uma nota dizendo que o apoio é para Carolina Silva.

Deus abençõe!

Carol

➼new season, new adventure➼

     After serving in the YWAM San Antonio del Mar base for the last three months, God has blessed me yet again with a new adventure. As I step into this new season of my life, I am overwhemed with how He is full of surprises for his children. I am beyond blessed to start this new chapter of my life with incredible people in the Compassion in Action DTS (Discipleship Training School) for this fall. I know this will be a season for me to grow more spiritually and build a stronger relationship with my Father. As one of the eighteen foundational values of YWAM says, we have to do first, then teach. "Firsthand experience gives authority to our words". Being a part of this school I know amazing things will be added to my walk the Lord and awesome things will happen.

     Through every new journey God puts me in, I count with all the help I can from friends and family around me. This is how you can support:

PRAYER: We know the power prayer has. Pray that God will guide me in this new season and that I may learn  from everything He has to show me. Pray for understanding, wisdom and knowledge. Also pray that God may provide the financial support I need.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: 

Please consider financially supporting this new season of my life, any amount is highly appreciated.
At the moment my goal is U$1,500.00.

You can donate through PayPal. Click on "send" and enter my email carolinalais2010x@gmail.com

Or by mailing a check to (100 West 35th Street, Suite R National City, CA PO BOX 91950) Make a check payable to YWAM San Diego/Baja, not my name. Attach a note saying the support is for Carolina Silva.

God bless!
Carolina

     Depois de servir na base da JOCUM de San Antonio del Mar nestes últimos três meses, Deus me abençoou mais uma vez com uma nova aventura. Ao começar esta nova temporada da minha vida, estou fascinada com a forma como Ele é cheio de surpresas para seus filhos. Eu sou abençoado de começar este novo capítulo da minha vida com pessoas incríveis na ETED  Campaixão e Ação DTS (Escola de Treinamento e Discipulado). Eu sei que esta será uma temporada para eu crescer mais espiritualmente e construir uma relação mais forte com o meu Pai. Como um dos dezoito valores fundamentais da JOCUM diz, nós temos que fazer primeiro, e depois ensinar. "Experimentar em primeira mão dá autoridade às nossas palavras". Fazer parte desta escola, eu sei que coisas surpreendentes serão acrescentadas à minha caminhada com o Senhor e coisas incríveis irão acontecer.

Através de cada nova jornada Deus me coloca em, eu conto com toda a ajuda que puder de amigos e familiares. Como você pode ajudar: 

ORAÇÃO: Nós sabemos como a oração tem poder. Ore para que Deus me guie nesta nova temporada e que eu possa aprender com tudo o que Ele tem para me mostrar. Ore para compreensão, sabedoria e conhecimento. Também ore para que Deus possa fornecer o apoio financeiro que eu necessito. 

"Por isso vos digo, tudo o que pedires em oração, crede que recebestes, e será assim convosco." Marcos 11:24

AJUDA FINANCEIRA: Por favor, considere me apoiar financeiramente nesta nova temporada da minha vida, qualquer quantidade é muito apreciada. No momento meu objetivo é de U $ 1.500,00. Você pode doar através do PayPal. Clique em "enviar" e insira meu e-mail carolinalais2010x@gmail.com. 

Ou enviando um cheque para (100 West 35th Street, Suite R National City, CA PO BOX 91950) Faça um cheque nominal à JOCUM San Diego / Baja, não em meu nome. Anexe uma nota dizendo que o apoio é para Carolina Silva.

Deus abençõe!

Carol

God is Humorous

   

                                            Texto em português logo abaixo :)

      As you may know, I've been serving for the past three months in the YWAM base in San Antonio del Mar, in Baja California/Mexico. In this new season God has shown me He is full of surprises. I came to the base with a purpose of serving for the three months volunteering program. In the midst of serving, I came to know about the DTS (Disciple Training School) Program. Some of the good friends I made here were encouraging me to do it. Even though my brother had already told me he was already going to be part of the school, I still wasn't sure this was my time to do it. Many people were telling me their testemonies of how the school changed their relationship with God for the better, and even their experiences on the outreach phase. So I began to pray and ask God if He wanted me to stay here in México and be a part of the school. Either I would stay or go back to Brazil. I was praying for the last month of my volunteering program asking for confirmation from God. It was not until the last week before the school started that the Lord answered me with great power and humor.
      My Mexican Visa was about to expire and I had heard it would take me fifteen minutes to get  a new one so I wasn't worried. One day someone took me to the airport so I could get this visa situation out of the way once and for all, but guess what? It wasn't approved. They informed me I had to go back to Brazil and do the process there. At this moment I'm freaking out (inside of course). Having many different thought: "No more DTS for me", "My time in Mexico ends here". I was devastated because at this point I was sure I wanted to do DTS. On the way back my heart was heavy, but I trusted God, and whatever He wanted for me, I would be happy. Back at the base one of our DTS leaders had asked one of the staff members to take me to the Mexican border and try to get a new tourist visa there. Having my visa renewed at the border for me seemed even more impossible.
      As I walk up to the security booth to get a pass, this huge man approaches me and I'm thinking it's already over for me. But instead he asks me one question only and gives me a pass. Walking up to where I was suppose to get a new visa, I pass by this soldier where he is holding a huge machine gun and gives me a nice smile. At this moment I feel God's presence and I am sure I am not walking there alone, and smile too. I get in line where some other people were getting their visas and wait for my turn. The lady calls me, asks how long I want my visa for and tells me to pay at a different booth. Done that, I go back to her and she jokes about Brazil and gives me a new six months visa for Mexico!!! At this point I am exploding inside with joy and laughing with God, but of course I couldn't show it too much or else she would suspect something and probably wouldn't uderstand why I was so happy. As I walk back to give my pass, the same soldier I had seen on the way in asks me if everything had turned out ok, and I say yes, and keep walking, trying not to grin too much. I give my pass to the huge security guard and go back to the car.
       What do I see in all of this? God's sense of humor! One time I'm freaking out and not even one hour later I am laughing with joy. Sometimes God will make one thing go wrong just to see how we react to it. Will we trust God and know He has a greater plan and be thankful for something not turning out how we expected or will we complain? I chose to trust him at that time of trouble and when I least expected He made things work out again and bless the desire of my heart which was to stay in Mexico and go in this new season for DTS. Choose to rest on God and not be so worried and overthink too much and He will surprise you and show He is always with you. (1 Samuel 17:45-50)

     Como vocês devem saber, nos últimos três meses eu tenho servido na base da JOCUM em San Antonio del Mar, em Baja California/México. Nesta nova temporada Deus me mostrou que Ele é cheio de surpresas. Eu vim para a base com um propósito de servir os três meses do programa de voluntariado. Estando aqui, eu vim a saber mais sobre a ETED (Escola de Formação Discípulo). Alguns dos bons amigos que fiz aqui foram incentivando-me a fazê-lo. Mesmo que meu irmão já tinha me dito que ia ser parte da escola, eu ainda não tinha certeza se este seria meu momento certo de fazê-lo. Muitas pessoas estavam me contando seus testemunhos de como a escola mudou seu relacionamento com Deus para melhor, e até mesmo as suas experiências na fase prática que é um momento único. Então comecei a orar e pedir a Deus se Ele queria que eu ficasse aqui no México e fazer parte da escola. Ou eu iria ficar ou voltaria para o Brasil. Eu estava orando no último mês do meu programa de voluntariado pedindo a confirmação de Deus. Não foi até a última semana antes do início das aulas que o Senhor me respondeu com grande poder e humor.
      Meu Visa de permanência no México estava prestes a expirar e eu tinha ouvido falar que me levaria quinze minutos para tirar um novo, então eu não estava preocupada. Um dia alguém me levou para o aeroporto para que eu pudesse resolver esta situação e ficar despreocupada de vez, mas adivinhem? Ele não foi aprovado. Informaram-me que eu tinha que voltar para o Brasil e fazer o processo de lá. Neste momento eu já estava bem preocupada. Tendo muitos pensamentos diferentes: "Sem ETED para mim dessa vez", "Meu tempo no México termina aqui". Fiquei arrasada porque neste momento eu tinha certeza que eu queria fazer a ETED. No caminho de volta meu coração estava pesado, mas eu confiei em Deus, e tudo o que Ele quizesse para mim, eu ficaria feliz. De volta à base uma de nossas líderes da ETED pediu para um dos funcionários da JOCUM para me levar `a fronteira do México e tentar obter um novo visto de turista lá. Ter o meu visto renovado na fronteira para mim parecia ainda mais impossível.
       Chegando na fronteira, eu caminho até a cabine de segurança para obter uma autorização para entrar, e um segarança enorme se aproxima de mim e já eu estou pensando que tudo ia acabar alí mesmo (rs). Mas ao invés disso, ele me faz uma só pergunta e me dá um passe para entrar. Andando até onde eu deveria obter um novo visto, eu passo por esse soldado, onde ele está segurando uma metralhadora enorme e me dá um belo sorriso. Neste momento eu sinto a presença de Deus e estou certa de que não estou andando lá sozinha, e sorrio também. Entro na fila, onde algumas outras pessoas estavam recebendo seus vistos e espero pela minha vez. A senhora me chama, pergunta quanto tempo eu vou ficar e me diz para pagar em uma cabine diferente. Feito isso, volto à falar com a mesma senhora e ela brinca sobre o Brasil e me dá um novo visto de seis meses para o México!!! Neste momento eu estou explodindo de alegria por dentro e rindo com Deus, mas é claro que eu não poderia demostrar demais ou então ela iria desconfiar de alguma coisa e provavelmente não iria entender por que eu estava tão feliz. Caminhando de volta para devolver o meu passe, o mesmo soldado que eu tinha visto ao entrar me pergunta se tudo tinha dado certo, e eu digo que sim, e continuo caminhando tentando não sorrir demais. Eu entrego o meu passe para o enorme guarda e volto para o carro.
      O que eu vejo em tudo isto? O senso de humor de Deus! Uma vez eu estou preocupada e nem mesmo uma hora mais tarde, eu estou rindo de alegria. Às vezes, Deus vai fazer uma coisa dar errado só para ver como reagimos à esse problema. Será que nós confiamos em Deus e sabemos que Ele tem um plano maior e somos grato por algo não ter saído como esperávamos ou reclamamos? Eu escolhí confiar nEle e quando eu menos esperava Ele fez as coisas darem certo novamente e abençoou o desejo do meu coração, que era para ficar no México e entrar nesta nova temporada para dazer a ETED. Escolha descansar em Deus e não esteja tão preocupado e Ele irá te surpreender e mostrar que Ele está sempre ao seu lado . (1 Samuel 17:45-50)

Go and Serve

Texto em português logo abaixo :)

        God once again has placed me in a different nation. I love how God works in mysterious ways and we never know what to expect or where we'll be. Specially when you have decided to let go and let God guide you and choose what's best for you. (And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing." -Matthew 6:28). And wow, what a great journey it has been. I have currently been serving in the YWAM San Diego/Baja base for the last (almost) three months. In the beginning I was just planning and seeing how much plane tickets would cost and all of that but deep down for me I would never be here so soon. I had my life back home (Brazil) planned out, knowing I would soon get myself involved in another amazing journey with God, and making future plans. But that's exactly it. I was making future plans, God was making them for now. He may seem silent in all his glory, but man we have no idea what He has in store for us. From that moment we gave our life over to Jesus, He took us by the hand and would never let go.

     You see, we may think we have everthing under control, but the thing is we don't. We can make future plans, but God has the last saying. He knows whats best for us. (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosperyou and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11). These last few months have shown me more the glory of God. He has shown me how to love his people more. Unconditionally. (Love your neighbor as yourself. -Marcus 12:31) I could stay here telling you in many paragraps (maybe I will) all the amazing experiences I had and still am having. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is a privilege. We no long live for ourselves, we live for Him. (I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20) I want to give Him the glory for allowing me to be here and being at this campus serving alongside amazing people who hunger for the same thing as I. Sharing God's love, loving people radically, learning, teaching and sharing new experiences. Just remember, put God first and you'll never be last. I'm excited and curious to see what God has in store for my time here in Mexico. Counting you will keep me in your prayers! :)

Deus, mais uma vez me colocou em uma nação diferente. Eu amo como Deus trabalha de formas misteriosas e nunca sabemos o que esperar ou onde estaremos. Especialmente quando você decidi deixar Deus guiá-lo e escolher o que é melhor para você. (E por que se preocupar com sua roupa? Olhe para os lírios do campo e como eles crescem. Eles não trabalham ou fazem suas roupas. -Mateus 6:28). E que viagem que tem sido. Atualmente estou servindo na base da JOCUM San Diego / Baja pelos últimos (quase) três meses. No começo eu só estava planejando e vendo as passagens de avião, mas, no fundo, para mim eu nunca estaria aqui tão cedo. Eu estava com meus planos em São Paulo, sabendo que eu iria logo me envolver em mais uma jornada incrível com Deus, e fazendo planos para o futuro. Mas é exatamente isso. Eu estava fazendo planos para o futuro, Deus estava fazendo-os para agora. Ele pode parecer estar em silêncio em toda a sua glória, mas não temos idéia do que Ele tem reservado para nós. A partir do momento que damos nossa vida à Jesus, Ele nos toma pela mão e nunca nos deixar ir.

     Podemos pensar que temos tudo sob controle, mas nós não temos. Nós podemos fazer planos para o futuro, mas Deus tem a última palavra. Ele sabe o que é melhor para nós. (Pois eu bem sei os planos que tenho para você ", diz o Senhor," planos para prosperar e não para prejudicá-lo, planos para dar-lhes esperança e um futuro. Jeremias 29:11). Estes últimos meses têm me mostrado mais a glória de Deus. Ele me mostra como amar seu povo ainda mais. Incondicionalmente. (Ame o seu próximo como a ti mesmo. -Marcos 12:31) Eu poderia ficar aqui dizendo que em muitos parágrafos (talvez sim) todas as experiências incríveis que eu tive e ainda estou tendo. Sendo as mãos e os pés de Jesus é um privilégio. Nós não viemos para nós, vivemos para Ele. (Já estou crucificado com Cristo e já não vivo, mas Cristo vive em mim. A vida que agora vivo na carne, vivo-a na fé do Filho de Deus, que me amou e se entregou por mim Gálatas 2. 20) Eu quero dar-Lhe glória por me permitir estar aqui e estar neste lugar servindo ao lado de pessoas maravilhosas que têm fome pelas mesmas coisa que eu. Compartilhar o amor de Deus, amar as pessoas radicalmente, aprendendo, ensinando e compartilhando novas experiências. Não esqueça de colocar Deus em primeiro lugar e você nunca será o último. Estou animada e curiosa para ver o que Deus tem reservado para este meu tempo aqui no México. Conto com suas orações! :)