Bogota, Colombia

It has been three weeks since I left the States. Upon arriving in Iquitos, I was very occupied with the preparations of the wedding as well as buying materials for the fence we have now put around the property in Iquitos. The cost to fence the 5 acres and hire workers (at $5 a day) was $650. This will keep people out and help people know that we will be building on the property soon. It is a big job to clean the brush and trees and maintain the property, as everything grows fast in the jungle. We want to build a large hut (“maloca”) of about 20 meters square. This will probably cost $2000 if we hire local workers. If we brought in a volunteer construction team, we would only need to hire a master who could teach the workers how to build the maloca and buy the materials. Please pray with me that God’s will be done. We want to build things that last and not cut corners, but at the same time get the best deal so as to not waste money.

The wedding was beautiful and sweet. David and Cecy are here in Bogotá, and will be settling down for a few months here, before returning to live in Iquitos. There are some big prayer requests concerning our beginning the ministry—a lot of questions and details to work out. God is in control and completely trustworthy. We just need to pray that we make the right decisions and make them as a team. There have been a lot of changes in my life in the last year, and I hope that these 4 months in Bogota help me clarify things in my heart. I want to be in Iquitos—I am excited and happy about the work to be done there. But right now, I need to focus on learning how to work with street kids and being open to what God has for me. This will be a great school for me.

I came a week early to Bogota with David, Cecy, and Cecy’s sister, Juliana, for a second “wedding” with David’s family; and I am staying at the YWAM base where I will be attending the school that starts March 4. I am living in the middle of the office space temporarily while the dorms are being constructed, However, I trust God and His plan for me. I want to use this extra time to rest, pray, write, read, and get to know the people at the base.

I am a little tired today because of the busyness before the wedding, being in the wedding, packing for Bogota, the 2 day boat ride to Leticia, conversations about future plans, a meeting with Pastor Jaime Useche to agree that I will be working in Iquitos not Leticia, but it is all working out fine. I am safe in the YWAM base. Change is always in front of me and I am content that I am in a good place spiritually and physically. Phil. 4:11

Prayer Requests:
Concentration, clarity, and organization
Confidence in what God is doing in and through me
During my time in Bogotá these next four months: safety, health, wisdom, rest, friendships, an open mind to God’s voice, and submission to authority
The team God is preparing for the street children ministry in Iquitos, Perú
Funds and wisdom in continued building plans

Praises:
The fence has been completed around our property in Iquitos
I am healing well from the operation and seem to have better health J
A good time in the 2 weeks I was in Iquitos—the wedding was beautiful, I hung out with my friends, and all my things I’d stored in my rented room are fine
An opportunity on the ship (“lancha”) to witness to a young Peruvian who accepted the Lord as Savior and Father!
A warm welcome here at the YWAM Bogotá base

Love in Christ, Rachel
February 23, 2007


I wrote the Nightmare today, not because I had a nightmare, but because I realized that living in the joy of the morning or the sorrow of night is my choice. I actually slept well, and have felt very welcomed here, the director talked to me for a long time about his vision of making the children part of the family not an institution. I am very happy that I will be here to learn more about how to work well with needy kids. Thanks for continued prayers and support.