On Mission with TIME International...

52 days ago by Guest Author

Julie Anne is baaaack!! We’ve all missed her sweet face but more than that, we missed her passion for Christ that spills out of her life. We all love to be around people like Julie. It’s always a breath of fresh air, I know. BUT God had a plan, she had to go away.

When we started talking about the possibility of going to the different places TIME International offered this year … (They usually have 3 – 5 different choices every year), I strongly suggested for her to go to either Colombia or Cuzco, being that she had not been on a mission trip like this before. BUT, being the intense and passionate person that she is, Julie wanted the one that sounded more extreme and available only to the older, college-age young people. Well, I knew that after much prayer God would totally direct her to the place He had prepared for her, and that even the team going with her would be hand picked by Him.

She’s now come back with such a beautiful disposition and intentionality to share His grace and love. Yes, it was true to her before, but only she could tell you what happened in her heart while away. God does amazing things when we are flexible enough to allow His hands to mold you. We may look the same on the outside, but the fire that He ignites will change you on the inside first!

Julie, we are happy God opened the doors for you to go. We are thankful that you put all the effort in raising the money. We are extremely grateful for those that stepped in and gave towards this trip. But most of all, that you were open enough to receive from His presence. As uncomfortable and challenging it may have been, I know you wouldn’t have it any other way!!!

Thanks for sharing a few glimpses of this awesome Amazon trip!

Katia

Hey all!

I’m home from Peru! What a trip! God is good.

Can I leave it at that? I mean, that’s all there really is. Oh, well, I suppose you want a few details! I will try to sort out my many thoughts! It might take me a few posts…But! Here goes.
I went with a local church called IBB. They sent out 3 teams: one team to Cuzco, Peru, one team to the Amazon River, Peru, and one to Colombia. Our teams practiced dramas to perform in the countries we were visiting. My team learned 4 dramas about the gospel – they were so impactful! Even before the trip, God was working on my heart through the dramas.

We flew into Iquitos, Peru – a city in the middle of the Amazon jungle! After a few days in the city, we got on a boat and spent 8 days traveling down the river. We performed dramas in 1-2 village churches a day. Our drama uniforms were black sweatpants, black t-shirts and black drama sneakers. After the first day, we realized that we were going to be very stinky and very hot in our drama clothes! The weather was in the 80′s and lower 90′s the whole time!

The neat thing about our trip was that we visited villages that rarely see outsiders, let alone Christians who perform dramas! For almost all, this was the first time they’d ever seen anything like us! It was so amazing to see the faces of the children. Their eyes were glued to us and their mouths hung open. In so many of the adults, I could see the wheels turning in their heads and I know God was working in hearts. So many accepted Christ! God worked powerfully in our group and in the lives of those we visited.

At times we did get tired and were uncomfortable, but God gave me the words “love them like I do”. I felt God’s urgency and love in my heart for others, and that was a powerful force to keep me going! At the beginning of the trip, I told God that I wanted to accomplish everything He asked of me and I didn’t want to walk away with any regrets. I wanted to spend myself completely on behalf of the Gospel. God was faithful to complete His work in me! I know He was smiling on me and our group.

When everything comfortable is stripped away, God speaks in a very unique way. My heart focused on the Lord, and He showed me that everything I hold dear is nothing compared to His purpose and His kingdom! Eternity is what matters! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33. God says seek me, and I will give you what you need and desire. How true that is in my life.
After this trip, I realize that I have a track record with Jesus. Though I’ve only lived 20 years, I KNOW Him and I’ve SEEN Him. He has been so faithful to me, and living for Him is so richly rewarding.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers and your emotional and financial support. God used each of you in a unique way to accomplish His purposes! May He continue to bless you as we seek to bless HIM in all we say and do.

Julie Anne