feliz cinco de mayo!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! I currently hear live ranchera music outside my window at the house, our neighbors know how to celebrate. This year has been a whirlwind, but I have certainly learned a tremendous amount (and also learned to be a learner). There are two things that seem clear to me that I have learned from our students, their families, our neighbors, and the greater Latino community in Denver: celebration and loyalty. I will never be the same for how I have learned from them. I could write for hours on how these things have been shared and communicated to me personally, but I will sit on two things:

1. It may seem uncomfortable, and of course, there is a time and a place for space and separation, but loyalty is valuable, lovely, and Godly. God is invites us into deep intimacy and steadfast love. I believe we have something to learn and see of this in our Latino friends. Let's move past wanting to call them co-dependent (a personal confession, and my biggest fear for those of you who know my past) for a minute, and CELEBRATE the good things. Let's value and learn from our Latino family in being loyal to one another; bringing sacrificial relationship. 

2. We need to dance, sit around, linger, sit around the table sharing stories, eat great food, drink good things, and remember why walking through sorrow is worth the joy. Celebrar!

On a lighter note, Stromboli! 

At familia dinner, our bi-weekly Destino gathering, this week we had everyone make a dish they regularly had growing up. This is how the conversation went with Austin and I as we discussed compromising on a dish:

"My mom always made stromboli when we went to the lake!" -kayla

"I'm ITALIAN!" - austin

It was an easier decision than expected. The stromboli ended up being a hit at the dinner. Thanks, Mom. 

Here are some other photos from the dinner. Enjoy, and Feliz Cinco de Mayo! 

From flautas to swedish bread, mac & cheese to shrimp cocktail...we have a diverse group.

Where do we even begin...??

6 weeks. Not that long, right? Well, to us it seems it has been a year! So much has happened. We have been floored and surprised by God's mercy, faithfulness, and well, that He is just fun! 

Drum roll please....WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE!! Among other things that have happened in the past few weeks, this is at the forefront. We want God to receive all the glory, for He has provided all of it. We are so excited to be settling into this city, investing in a neighborhood and the good of the community.

Here she is:

In the midst of signing, appraisals, inspections, and all the other house-buying activities, we have also had a great time on campus. Our last familia dinner, this time with a venezuelan theme, was a huge success. Our students continue to impress me as they discuss topics like trust & friendship. God is really working in their lives. We love hosting them, where ever we may be.

This is their hilarious attempt to invite students to dinner, in spanish! We are so thankful for all of you laboring alongside us in prayer for people to trust and live in Christ in Denver.

"their life didn't begin when I walked in the picture..."

With all the people we spend time with in conversation on campus, most of them being through initiating randomly, it can be easy to believe that their thoughts of God began when I entered their life. You might think this may seem really selfish (it is) and silly to fall to. Yet, we often hear "I have never heard that before" or "wow, I grew up in church but no one has ever told me what the Bible actually says". This is both disheartening and common. It may be true that we have the opportunity to introduce students to the real Jesus for the first time, but God has not been absent from their story. 

God is still the main character in this life.

Sure, unless they know Jesus, they do not know God personally- and that is what we talk about all day long. But God has been working in their life long before we showed up. He is sovereign. He knows them better than they know themselves. And has written their story from start to....eternity. I would love to share 2 stories about 2 different stories, both with God as the author.

A sweet girl, Lina, has had a story filled with disappointment, pain, lack, beauty, art, and longing. When we met, she quickly shared with me her story. She is special. God has created a beautiful soul in Lina. Lina longs for a daddy. Though, she did not know that Jesus came to freely & graciously redeem her relationship with the Father. Last week, Lina shared with me a beautiful letter she had written from the perspective of God to her as a father. The Spirit, who has been long knocking on the door of her heart, opened her eyes to see Jesus as the One who walks her to a Dad who takes her into his arms, holds her, and will never leave. She trusted Him for everything. God is the Main Character and Author.

Another sweet girl, Ary, has had a similar story of pain, abandonment, lack, beauty, striving, hoping. We met today and talked through the Gospel. Again, she responded with "I have never heard this before, as you described it in the Bible." At the end of our discussion, she rejected Jesus verbally. It broke my heart. In reality, we are all like this- rejecting Jesus in our hearts, until He comes in and gives us a new one. I was no different than her before Jesus. Yet, was I to think that this was the first time God has stepped in to her story? No. God is yet again the Main Character and the Author. 

Whether they believe or reject, God is sovereign. He is the Author. He is good. This is difficult for me as we have hard conversations daily, but I am compelled (and delighted) to trust Him. I also have the hope that God desires all to know Him. I will step back into His story, looking to Him as the Author, and the Main Character- and trust Him for another day.

Republica Dominicana

We are heading to the DR this coming Tuesday, joining with students from across the country to serve the people of Santo Domingo. We are humbled that God would call us to this country, with these students & staff, to reach students with the hope of Jesus.

We wanted you all to come to know and love our team as we do. We have listed prayer requests from students & staff as we think about leaving this coming week. Please join with us!

 

Thank you all for praying for our team! We look forward to updating you throughout the trip, and anticipating God's faithfulness in amazing ways!