Transitioning

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

Joshua 1:9

        These past weeks have been amazing again. As the teams left, more teams came. The team from Indiana is our friends. They had 19 people. It was everyone on their church's mission board. And they brought their kids with them. It was a wonderful experience. Definitely exhausting but super fun serving them and serving God in being their friend and translator. We helped build a gazebo! We did a special dinner for Valentine's Day for the boys. We played Legos and helped with the swim classes for our new kids program at Hope Mountain. I had a fun time. There were some challenges but God was greater and He protected us.

    The next team was an answer to prayer!!!! It was a team from YWAM. We call it JOCUM here in Brazil. It was a team from JOCUM Carioca, which means their base was from Rio de Janeiro. It was a fun mix of people as they were so friendly. They reminded me of the team from Jessup University but they spoke Portuguese. There was a member of the team that was from Switzerland. It was interesting because I felt like some people on Hope Mountain and I have been praying for a team from YWAM to come. And it's interesting that God brought them here as I close my time at Hope Mountain. 

    Leaving Hope Mountain was not the easiest thing. I went through a whole emotional roller coaster. I knew God was leading me into a new phase in my life with Youth With a Mission. But there were lots of great outcomes at Hope Mountain that made me doubt and think that maybe I should stay. This whole process of leaving Hope Mountain has taken me half a year. And the last two months I was at Hope, I felt like I was finally fulfilling my calling. Not only was I doing many ministries with the girls and boys for the new church plant, but most importantly, I've developed a heart of a mother for the boys. This is what trusted sisters in Christ have been telling me to have. And many people have prayed for me. I finally know what it is like to be a mom. Not an aunt, not a friend, not a sister, but a true mom who loves them and has compassion for them. I've become well respected with the boys. And they don't see me as a girl whom they can date. I had a rough night last week. Just full of sorrow and feeling anxious and many other things. Because I didn't want to cause another trauma for the boys with me leaving. But a friend called me and prayed for me. And I felt a lot better. God also gave me wisdom, teaching me to live in the moment. He is greater. He has called these boys since the beginning. He will take care of them. It's been an honor working at Hope. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude towards everyone. I'll keep all the memories and the love people had for me. 

    The next step in my life now is JOCUM (Youth With a Mission). I believe in this next step God wants to bring me closer to Him, serve Him and His people as He continues to shape me into a woman of God. I will learn many skills as I help in different ministries. For example, the Bible translation track, the Discipleship Training School, the Extended Bible School, the two week School of Missions, and more. I'll be looking into doing seminary online and also looking forward to visiting the Taiwanese churches here in São Paulo. I look to God as I settle down once again in a new environment. 

    

Here are my updates:

1. Arrived in São Paulo at the YWAM base called JOCUM Casa.

2. My dog will stay at Hope Mountain.

3. Getting ready for EMF, the school of missions, which starts on July 2nd to the 20th.

4. Still fundraising for the short-term missions trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal.

Here are my prayer requests:

1. That my heart can be filled by the Word of God, that the Holy Spirit can calm my heart as I have left Hope Mountain and entering a new phase in my life. Pray that I can deepen my relationship with Jesus.

2. My dog will eat and be happy even though I'm not there with him.

3. Pray that EMF will go well as we have many new staff members. Pray for strength and wisdom for the leadership.

4. Fundraising for Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal. That God will provide as He always has.

Thank you all for your prayers and God bless each one of you.

This is the team that came from Indiana. They are like family.

These are the people from JOCUM Carioca. They are with Youth With a Mission.

I was able to advocate for the boys so we can take them to the beach. God is good.

These are just some of the friendships I've made. They are very precious to me.

This is the first ever women's tea time at church that I was able to organize. Glad that most people were on board for it and the girls from JOCUM came to participate and support. Thank God.

This is only a part of the dance we did. I was the leader of this dance ministry and now I've given the leadership to 2 other girls. May God continue to bless them and the ministry.