Having A Heart Like Jesus [[Saturday, November 26]]

"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'"

-Revelation 19:6

God really has a way of taking our insecurities and equipping us with His courage to BE and to HAVE the heart of Jesus.

By the end of this week, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher with a special education endorsement. God gave me His vision, the vision to see children not for their disabilities, but as children that have many abilities.

They're God's children 

            &

 the fingerprints of God all over them...

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It is my prayer that maybe through this blog, some of you would come to realize what this life is all about; that it is all about Jesus, his birth, his death, and his resurrection, that He came to save us from our sin, and when we put our trust in Him....then we have the hope of eternal life with Him.

Yes... it's not about us. It never has been about any of us;

IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS

<3 kaycia

Our God is an AWESOME God! [[Friday, November 25]]

"'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; the whole earth is filled with his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of Him who called and the house was filled with smoke." -Is. 6:3-4

I cried; my heart was breaking to see these precious children go. I don't know what God's will is for me next year, but I will follow where ever He leads me. We loaded up the kids and said our goodbyes. They're in God's hands...and He will always take care of them.

Our adventure for today: climbing to an altitude of 8, 350 feet on Volcan Pacaya. :) ohh yeah, that was something I got to cross off my bucket list. Seriously, it was thee hardest climb in my life. After fifteen minutes I felt like I was going to die. It was completely straight up the entire way to the top. Once we got closer to the top, we were hiking in volcanic sand, and it was so slippery that I had to crawl a couple times. All I kept thinking was that I wanted to get to the top, and I did! After an intense 3 hour hike, I made it, looked inside the crater as steam was rising from it. Across from me was Volcan Agua, and I could see so far beyond that the mountainous terrain of Guatemala. I was at a loss for words, worshipping my awesome God.

Our God is an awesome God
 He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

peaks beyond peaks, and green fields of different shades reminded me of a patchwork quilt. The sun warmed my skin and I lifted my hands and sang, "I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered. All I am is Yours!"

All I am is Yours...

Whether it is at home in Minnesota
Whether it is at Northwestern College in my studies
Whether it is on the mission field
Whether it is in an Elementary school
Whether it is in my church
Whether I return to Guatemala
Whether it is going somewhere that I don't know where the Lord is taking me

All I am is Yours...

<3 Kaycia

 Praise be to God for everything He has done in my life

God is so good!

God is good [[Thursday, November 24]]

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." -Colossians 1:9-13

Se Libre...
Today was bittersweet, knowing that it was the last full day that I had with the children. It was pretty much routine: breakfast, chapel, crafts, chapel, and then for the last day there would be a talent show and then an award ceremony.

In chapel, the speaker had some of the leaders acting out "se murio chicho" (Chicho died) while crying and then laughing. Kim and I were relieved that he had picked a couple of the other girls to do it, but as soon as they were done we had to act this out too. It was quite funny.

There was a talent show at the end of the day. God has gifted these kids in some pretty amazing ways. Some danced in their wheelchairs and others sang. One boy imparticular, got up and sang Open the Eyes of my Heart in Spanish. That was a blessing to hear. In one of my classes, I heard a man that was blind say that God has granted him the ability to understand what living by faith and not sight truly means. There's more to life than what the eyes see, and that's Jesus.

At the reward ceremony that night, a slide show of the week played and along with those pictures the song I Can Only Imagine played. "I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side...will I dance for You, Jesus? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? <= This week was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever experience. Those children showed me what it really means to DEPEND on Jesus and to live for a greater day, the day when I will see Jesus.

After the ceremony I helped get the girls ready for bed. Some of the girls began to cry, knowing that they had to go back to the orphanage the next day. This is what it means to love the orphaned. Seeing their tears was breaking my heart and all I could do was hold them. To love like Jesus means to care for children like these.

After tucking the girls in, I was walking outside and met up with a few of my new Guatemalan friends. I was able to practice my Spanish because the one knew English and Spanish, so he helped me when I did not know the word. I was surprised at how much Spanish came back to me after all the years of studying. I even got to practice my commands which I currently am studying at NWC :) I told my friends that I was going to bed and began to pack up. I think my heart strings are attached to this place and these beautiful people who teach me that the love of Christ has no limits.

gracias, Señor por todo

"Confía en Jehová con todo tu corazón y no te apoyes en tu propia prudencia." -Prov. 3:5

<3 Kay

Be Still & Know That I AM... [[Wednesday, November 23]]

"Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall their be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away...BEHOLD, [THE LAMB OF GOD] IS MAKING ALL THINGS NEW."
                                                                                                  -Revelation 21:3-5

Donde fluye adoración/ Y las calles de oro son/Levantamos alabanza a ti Señor/No hay llanto/No hay más dolor/No hay muerte/Conmigo estás/Conmigo estás/No hay noche/No hay aflicción/No hay culpa/
 Conmigo estás/Conmigo estás...

Por la eternidad, Mi alma ofrecerá Toda gloria a ti Señor

Where the streets are made of gold/In Your presence healed and whole/Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone/No weeping, no hurt or pain/No suffering/ You hold me now/You hold me now/No darkness no sick or lame/No hiding/You hold me now/You hold me now

For eternity, my heart will give all the glory to Your name, Jesus

This is one of my favorite songs by Hillsong, because it reminds me what I am living for. Each one of us was put on earth for a purpose=>to glorify God with our bodies and to extend His kingdom, yet knowing that earth is not our home. This song reminds me that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11), and on that day Jesus will make eveything new. There won't be any pain or suffering, but only the sounds of the children of God rejoicing in their Savior. In Christ there is FREEDOM. Se Libre...

Today I woke up at 5am, just as the sun was beginning to rise over the many volcanoes. The air was crisp and the blue sky gave me hope that today was going to be beautiful. I helped get the girls dressed into their swimsuits for a day away at la playa (the beach!). It was hard work getting those girls dressed, lifting their twisted bodies, and gently putting their swimsuits on. After an early breakfast we loaded the kids up in a bus. I sat by Lusbin and his sister.

School buses are not good for kids who have no muscle control to hold themselves up. I ended up holding Lusbin up because I was afraid that he would hit his head on something. He ended up falling asleep in my arms. Honestly, I started to think that I would love to have an adopted child someday from here, but I don't know what God's plan is for my life.

We arrived to the beach where it was at least 90-100 degrees. Yeah, sunscreen was a must...especially when I stood next to the Guatemalans and I looked sickly white. First we went swimming in a pool at a place that was along the beach. I carried Sonia and Lusbin for awhile. And after lunch we went to the ocean. The beautiful black volcanic sand stretched for miles and the waves of the ocean swept over it. It was so refreshing to hear the sound of the waves. I ran into the waves, letting the salty water wash over me, and all I could think of was that this is the way God's grace is...it washes over us like the waves of the ocean, refreshing us and cleansing us. "Hallelujah, Your grace like rain, washes over me." And in those moments I praise God for being a God of great order, majesty, protection, and everything that I cannot be.

I took Cece and held her in my lap so that when the waves came in from sea, they would wash over her legs. Everytime a wave came in she would giggle. She has the greatest giggle and I couldn't help but laugh along with her. She also enjoyed burrying me in the sand. As I sat there for an hour, letting the warm sun fall on us, and the cool ocean waves wash over us, and hearing Cece giggle, I couldn't help but think of Cece in heaven...completely healed. I know that God has a purpose for her on earth and I know He has plans for her even in her condition...God uses us in our weakness, and it's in our weaknesses when we are strongest. God's going to use her in ways to bring glory to his name, and I think it is children like her that show me more of the heart of Jesus...life isn't about looks or anything that this world can offer=>our lives are meant to be all about Jesus!

The best part of this is that here there are palm trees and the weather is warm. Back in Iowa it's freezing cold and snowing. I'm so glad I am not there!

The bus ride back felt long. I was ready to crash. We had an interesting dish for supper. It was corn and beef boiled inside of some type of leaf. It was actually pretty good. After dinner we got the girls ready for bed and then had a team meeting. It wasn't long because we all were so tired.

"I love you, O Lord, my strength." -Psalm 18:1

God is good, so very good

<3 Kay

loving like Jesus [[Tuesday, November 22]]

"Entonces dijo:
—Les aseguro que a menos que ustedes cambien y se vuelvan como niños, no entrarán en el reino de los cielos. Por tanto, el que se humilla como este niño será el más grande en el reino de los cielos.
Y el que recibe en mi nombre a un niño como éste, me recibe a mí." -Mateo 18:3-5

"Then Jesus said, 'truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.'" -Matthew 18:3-5


Today I thought would never end. Trying to care for children with special needs is exhausting, and I couldn't wait for the week to end...and it was only Tuesday. I began to wonder why I even chose to come, it was hard labor lifting those children and getting them changed and fed...I felt like I was not good at this kind of work at all. So, why Lord, why am I here? That's when I began to feel peace that God would change my mindset and that He would give me more of a heart like His.

I had one camper in particular that I fed quite a bit. Julio. His face lit up everytime I talked to him, and he always needed a hug in the morning. He has the greatest smile too. After our morning breakfast of eggs, tortillas, beans, and fried bananas, we went to the chapel for a Bible story. I'm hearing so much Spanish that I'm beginning to think in it. Not that I'm complaining :) I love the language. We played games with the kids in the gym and it was fun being able to be legs for these children who couldn't walk. I opted out of one of the games because we had to run sucking on a funnel to keep a balloon attached to the funnel; however, everyone had to suck on the funnel and pass it on to the next person. I was a little grossed out by that. At lunch time I fed David. The poor boy is in so much pain from his condition that he always holds his legs up to his chest. I began to feel like a mom probably does...I wish I could take away the pain. But many of these children can testify to God's faithfulness in their lives.

We had craft time and I helped Julio put stickers on his wheelchair bag. It's funny the things these children are happy to receive--wheelchair bags. hmm, it really made me think of all the things that I have that I'm not even thankful for. How many times have I thanked God that I had a bed to sleep in?

After crafts we went back to the chapel for another message and then had free time. Andrea, a girl with autism and down syndrome, came and sat in my lap with a pair of scissors and some paper and began cutting the paper into millions of tiny pieces. She was happy doing that for 45 mintues until we had game stations.

At dinner we had coffee (it's Guatemala's specialty and I don't think that there could be any better coffee than this). We had a bonfire that night as well and the sky above looked like someone had spilled diamonds across the sky. I couldn't ask for anything better. :) After, I took one of the girls back to the girls' room and helped some of the other women get the girls ready for bed. After today, I just kept asking God for strength to get me through the week.

Holy are You, God
Holy is Your name
With everything I've got
My heart will sing
How I love You

                                                                                                                           
Santo eres Dios
Tu nombre santo es
Con todo lo que soy
Te cantaré
Cuánto te amo


<3 Kay

You Make Everything Glorious [[Monday, November 21]]

"Moses said, 'Oh, my LORD, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the LORD said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute , or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.'" -Ex. 4:10-12

At 6:30 this morning, I awoke to the sound of exotic birds singing outside my window. It is a cloudy, misty morning. We began our morning by praying over each other. At 8, the camp leaders arrived. They were a group of Guatemalans who are in charge of running the camp and the lessons. Our job as volunteers is to provide care for the orphans that are attending the camp. The kids began arriving for the camp, some with cerebral palsy and some had Down Syndrome, and a few had autism. The day was going slowly because of being registration day. So I just played with a few of the kids. I met the beautiful orphan kids for the first time. Some girls and I put the kids in a circle and we tossed a beach ball around.

When I see these children, precious children, and I look into their eyes and I see their smiles, I no longer see them as children with disabilities, but as a child of God. Loving these children is exactly what Jesus called us to do.

I met a teenage girl who had come to the camp with her brother Lusbin. Lusbin was the sweetest little boy ever. I practiced my Spanish with them :) I love the Spanish language so much! All I can say is that it really pays off knowing Spanish and if you wan to know the entire story behind this just ask me =)

"De este modo todos sabrán que son mis discípulos, si se aman los unos a los otros." -Juan 13:35

We took the children to la capilla (the chapel) for a Bible story and songs which the Guatemalan team led. The theme for the camp was Se Libre (be free) about "where the Spirit of the LORD is there is freedom!" -2 Cor. 3:17
After we split into teams. I was on team Verde (green). We had to make a team name, a team song, team mascot, and a team cheer. We decided on being los conejos (the rabbits) and we made up a song, cheer, and mascot. We played games and sang songs, and everytime the smile of the kids brightened my day. I had a child to feed at supper. His name was Julio. I got to know Julio pretty well. He was known as the kid who loved to hug. And I love hugs. =) We brought the kids to the rooms for the night. A lot of these children got up very early to travel to camp. It made me realize and ask myself what are things that I prioritize that I could actually live without.

Some of these kids chose a long day of travelling so that they could come to a Christian camp. Just think about it....

"Ahora bien, el Señor es el Espíritu; y donde está el Espíritu del Señor, allí hay libertad." -2 Cor. 3:17

<3Kay

The love of Christ has no boundaries [[Sunday, November 20, 2011]]

Romans 8:38-39

I awoke to the sound of voices outside my window. It was early, the sun just beginning to rise. Life here in Guatemala begins very early. The time was 5:30am. A rooster crowed beckoning for me to crawl out of my warm bed. The sun began to bask the room in a golden glow as I stepped out of my warm bed into the chilly air. I was once again aware of the different culture when I went to use the bathroom (don't throw the toilet paper in the toilet, put it in the trash can!). Breakfast was at 8, and we were going to walk to Pollo Campero. I began the day with God, and this is what I read: "This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go." -Josh. 1:8 This week will hold adventure, fears, and joys, but God's promise is that He will be with me ALWAYS. I just have to stay faithful to Him, meditate on His words, and do as He has commanded me.

I walked outside, the air was still cool, but it smelled like spring. The sky was a rosy color and the volcano loomed in the background. I was at a loss for words, all I could say was, "God you're awesome! I am filled with awe of You, and am simply at a loss for words." So this is what Moses must have felt like, rising early in the morning to meet with God, to experience the glory and wonder of God, and falling to his knees in utter amazement. I can only imagine... and someday i will see God face to face.

My group attended a Guatemalan church service. I loved hearing the Word of God being spoken in a different language. It made me realize that whether we speak English and they speak Spanish, we are together glorifying and worshipping our risen Savior. What a beautiful picture! This is what the love of Christ does, it unifies two different cultures...and we are all one in the body of Christ. :) It gave me a little glimpse of what heaven will be like. From experiencing this church service, I began to wish that church in America was more like this: people unafraid to completely worship their God. Hello, people, God saved you from death! please dance, raise your hands, shout hallelujah! you have eternal life! Greet one another with hugs and kisses, and stay for hours because you're thankful for this gift. The church down there, people came when they felt like it and stayed at late as they wanted. Just remember, that we should not be governed so much by time, but should love to be in the presence of Jesus.

We made our way to the city of Antigua. The beautiful ancient city with the volcano looming above. The city for a picture perfect picture...punny ;) We ate at the most delicious restaurant. We ate on a balcony overlooking the city. Again I was in awe of God's majesty. He created such a beautiful volcano, thousands of feet above us, but God is so much bigger than that, and so much more majestic.

We made our way to an orphanage for the disabled.

It was a solemn sight walking through the halls. The stench was horrible, and smelled like urine. Cribs were lined up along the wall, and inside each one there was a child. The children I walked past were lying on their backs, their big brown eyes gazing longingly at me, and their bodies a twisted wreck. I walked past, tears coming to my eyes. I was unable to accept that those children had to live in these cribs like animals because of limited medical treatments available. I walked over to one of the cribs, and gently picked up little Brenda. She was eight years, old but was the size of a five or six year old. She had cerebral palsy and had to spend her days lying in the crib. I took her out, held her and talked to her. When I talked to her, she looked into my eyes and smiled. I wondered why God would allow people to be born this way, but then I wondered if it was me who really had the disadvantage. Maybe because of their disabilities they understand the heart of Jesus more and understand what it means to trust in the Lord. This place was so far out of my comfort zone. I always hated being in hospitals or nursing home where the stench was overpowering and the crippled scared me. I never knew how to act, because even in they understood me, they would not be able to speak back. I knew that I was truly being Christ’s servant and loving those who may not always be the most lovable according to society’s standards. This is what it meant to humble myself and carry the cross.

We did some shopping and bargaining in the market place. I love all the colors!

Our meeting in the evening frightened me. We would be working with children with disabilities, but not just working, providing care for them. What will I do? "Lord, give me strength!" Was all I could say.














"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we he opportunity, let us do good to all." -Gal. 6:9-10



<3kaycia