NIKO Survival Camp
Bucaramanga, Colombia

George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, who has gone to be with the Lord, said: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross; but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory.”

Every week I must write a summary for the school of what I learned along with roses (pleasures) and thorns (challenges). I learn from both, but the thorns definitely prove and form my character.

Notes for Mercy School, April 1-5:

Roses:
I SURVIVED!!
Finding myself in better health than I had expected
Enjoying nature and singing praises as I hiked
When it was really hot, I prayed and it rained lightly
Working well with my team
Making friends with one of my Latina teammates
Learning that I need to respond better under stress or conflicts, taking special care when I’m tired or sick
Having my team support me when I was in pain
Being able to do more than I had thought

Thorns:
Getting really annoyed with some poor choices of other team members that affected me
Getting hurt
Knowing that my attitude at one time of frustration affected my team
Not being sufficiently prepared for NIKO

Personal Application:
Every decision made brings consequences—good decisions bring good consequences always, and bad decisions bring bad consequences always. In God’s world, I can’t make a bad decision and expect a good consequence. With God’s help, I will make good decisions that bless others, please God, and bring good consequences.
I want to improve in my responses in the midst of conflicts—when someone interrupts or questions me, I want to learn to explain calmly and listen, not get defensive, angry, or sullen (withdraw).
I want to continue to work out (stretch and walk) so that I can get into good shape.
I can go further than I think, so with God’s help and strength, I will stretch my limits.

Ministerial Application:
Team work is vital. I cannot survive real life with its stresses, pleasures, sadnesses, and needs independently. I must trust in God, leaders, and others to help me. I must ask when I need help to lighten my load, before it’s an emergency. I want to be aware of others’ needs and willing to help lighten their loads.
Helping others who need help, hard work, sacrifice is rewarding—I might not even receive thanks, but the satisfaction and joy that I feel is reward enough. I want to always be focused on loving and serving others.

Bogota, Colombia
Week 2

Schedule:
6 am wake up
6:30 devotional
7:30 chores
8 am breakfast
8:30 group devotion (by a student)
9-1:15 lesson 1:30 lunch
2:30-4 pm lesson
4-7 time to walk, do homework, read, memorize Bible verse, prepare dinner (we take turns)
7 pm dinner
10 in rooms

Book reports--every 2 weeks, I´m on book 4 of required 8
Creative book--summary of week, what we learned

The lessons have been on the Bill Gothard Seminary character qualities, the psyche of the child from conception, and information on children´s needs and minstries. (I´ve been translating most of the teachings; another student takes notes for me.)

I have very little free time. Today we spent the day at a farm a couple hours from the base, a ministry with boys who have been rescued from heading to the streets, because of family problems. It´s an institution and I really see God putting it in my heart to encourage family not institution. It was a long day and I have the creative book to work on. I hope to visit Cecy and David on Sunday. There is a lot to talk about.

I am glad I am here, and my team of 10 is united. 9 girls sleep in one big room, and the boy shares a room with a staff. I am glad there are veggetables at some meals and I buy fruits. But there is still a lot of carbs (rice and potatoes) served. I am trying to exercise, to get back in shape from the surgery. In a couple weeks we are going to do a 5-day survival ropes course, and as much as I want to do it, and it´s required, I´m not in good shape right now.

So I ask for prayers for sleep, rest, strength, energy, motivation to work out and do my work, the ability to prioritize my time well, and the heart to hear God´s direction for my life. I will be faced with some decisions soon and really need prayers. Thanks. Many blessings on you all.

I encourage you to read more about the ministry where I am presently going to be studying for the next four months: www.colombiastreetkids.org/

It's an amazing ministry and I pray the Lord leads me into ministering to children in a way that 1) brings Him glory, 2) reaches many needy children, and 3) uses my strengthes and perhaps even more my weaknesses.

Nightmare

I wake up drenched in sweat
In the middle of the night
I can hardly breathe
And long to see the light

Why am I so sad?
How long will the darkness last?
I can’t endure the pain
From a haunted past

Paralyzed on my bed
I wallow in hot tears
Oh God rescue me
Save me from my fears

Ah, I see the Light
Come to bring the day
I choose to rejoice in the One
Who takes the night away

Morning has arrived
Making me rise up and sing
In the sunshine I know
The joy of the Lord is my strength


Pesadilla

Me despierto sudando
En la medianoche
No puedo respirar
Anhelo ver la luz

¿Porque estoy tan triste?
¿Cuanto durará la oscuridad?
No aguanto el dolor
De un pasado angustiado

Paralizada en la cama
Me ahogo en mis lágrimas
Dios mió, rescátame
Sálvame de mis temores

Ah, veo la Luz
Trayéndome el día
Elijo regocijarme en El
Que quitó la noche

La mañana ha llegado
Haciendo levantarme y cantar
En el sol, yo sé
Que el gozo del Señor es mi fortaleza


By Rachel C. Deal

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.

Peru

It was a busy last week, but I am packed and ready to go to the airport. I'll be in Lima early tomorrow morning and will write soon to let you know of my arrival. I am excited and blessed to be sent to work in the Amazon. I ask for prayers for protection, wisdom, and peace--that I will rest in the plans God has for me, "plans to give me a future and a hope." Thanks for supporting me during this "emergency" trip home. It's been great to see everyone and receive a clearer vision of God's heart for the street kids of Iquitos.

To South America...And Beyond!!
The countdown has begun. I leave next Monday. I am spending the last week getting everything in order for this trip and the next several months of living overseas. I appreciate your prayers for tranquility and protection. Thanks!

A Gift from God: Being a Street Child
By Webster Nhlanhla Nxele
Johannesburg, South Africa

What is this gift doing on the street?
Where does this gift sleep?
He sleeps on the street or on the bed like you?
What does this child eat?

This child has a dream but because he is on the street,
He cannot make his dream come true.
He is now using drugs to forget who he is.
What is he doing with his life?
What future does his life on the street have for him?

When the nights come,
He has to see where he is going to sleep.
He must drug himself so that he can pretend
He is inside the house like you,
Going to sleep on his bed with his warm blankets.

That’s only imagination
In truth he is going to sleep on the street
And all that strong wind and rain will end up on him.

When he suffers from all these pains,
Who is looking after him?
Who is taking care of him or to the doctor?
He has to wait until he gets better on his own.

These children are people like us.
Let us help them.
They are a gift from God.
Put them first.

~from No Turning Back: a novel of South Africa by Beverly Naidoo

Dear Iquitos, Hidden Jewel

Dear Iquitos, beautiful city
You have welcomed me with open arms
Never have I known such intensity
You, who lie alongside the world’s longest river, have shown me true love and great need
A maze of streets, with fruit-sellers and sleeping children
You, with your glorious sunsets, hospitality, and sloths and snakes, captivate my heart
You, with your abandoned children, begging for food, searching through the dump, walking barefooted, make my heart cry

Dear Iquitos, hidden jewel
I will search for and find the precious children if it takes a life-time
Together we can give them a better future, free from the need of begging, working for nothing, prostitution, abuse, drugs, and fighting
Dear Iquitos, who has given me a place to call home
Take care of my babies, those who are old too soon, even those not yet born
Let’s give them a chance at life, hope, peace, and joy
Let’s give them a chance of safety, education, and self-worth
Let’s give them a chance to know Jesus’ love

According to the UN, children are supposed to be: “innocent, vulnerable and dependent, curious, active and full of hope, lives of joy, peace, playing, learning, and growing, with a future of harmony and cooperation, maturing as they broaden their perspectives and gain new experiences.”

Dear children of Iquitos
You who are made in God’s image and tenderly loved by Him
That is what I desire for you

Prayers for Children
By Amy Carmichael

Father, hear us, we are praying
Hear the words of our hearts saying
We are praying for our children

Keep them from the powers of evil
From the secret, hidden peril
Father, hear us for our children

From the whirlpool that would suck them
From the treacherous quicksand pluck them
Father, hear us for our children

From the worldling’s hollow gladness
From the sting of faithless sadness
Father, Father, keep our children

Through life’s troubled waters steer them
Through life’s’ bitter battles cheer them
Father, Father, be Thou near them

Read the language of our longing
Read the wordless pleadings thronging
Holy Father, for our children

And wherever they may bide
Lead them home at eventide.

I am endangered
I am voiceless
I am invisible
I am of low esteem
I am a waste of time
I am hidden under poverty
I am hungry
I am alone
I am a silent emergency
My name does not matter
I am every child

Did you know?? *

•there are 2.2. billion children in the world, one billion of whom live in poverty?
•more than 11 million of us children die each year before reaching the age of five—that’s 210,000 every week?
•8 million of us die yearly from one or more of five diseases that move in on our bodies that have been weakened by hunger: pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria, and malnutrition, most of which are preventable or treatable?
•we kids lose 443 million school days each year from water-related illness, a lack of water or a lack of sanitation and 1.8 million of our deaths result from diarrhea—that’s 3 children per minute?
•3000 of us die every day—that’s one kid every 30 seconds—from malaria in Africa alone due to a lack of programs to prevent and antimalarial to treat malaria?
•30,000 of us children die each day due to poverty? According to UNICEF, we “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”
•16,000 of us die from hunger-related causes every day—that’s one kid every five seconds?
•15 million of us were orphaned this year due to our parents’ dying from AIDS?
•200 of us are dying every day in Iraq, a number that has been increasing since the war started in 2003, from malnutrition, a lack of clean water, and a lack of medical equipment and drugs to cure easily treatable diseases?
•most of us are illiterate because we are fighting to survive (mostly working for a pittance in deplorable situations)—121 million of us have never been to school?
•more money is spent on ice cream every year than education and water sanitation together?
•in Brasil, killing children is a pastime for police: 4 to 5 adolescents are murdered daily, a child is beaten every 12 minutes, 4.5 million children under 12 are working, and 500,000 children are engaged in domestic labor?
•there are 150 million street kids, most of whom do not have a home to go to at night?
•in the United States, a million of us are abused yearly and four die daily?
•we are often sold into slavery or prostitution to pay off a family debt or because our family can’t afford to feed us?
•we are often forced to beg on the streets to buy drugs for our parents?
•most of us have never heard about Jesus’ love?

*Due to a lack of available information, not all stats are up-to-date.

Only
By Rachel C. Deal

I only love God 7 days of the week
I only serve Him 24 hours a day
I only enjoy His beauty 60 seconds per hour
And only all the time do I—in the Spirit—pray

I’m only fully given to my Father in heaven
I only am His child 100%
I only know I’ll be with Him always and forever
And only do I trust in a love that’s permanent

I only find God’s grace a gift that never ceases
I only put my faith in a salvation that endures
I only worship Him the moments I am breathing
And only when my heart beats do I obey His Word


Solo

Solo amo a Dios 7 días de la semana
Solo le sirvo 24 horas por día
Solo disfruto su belleza 60 segundos por hora
Y solo siempre—en el Espíritu—oro

Solo completamente soy de mi Padre en el cielo
Solo soy su hija 100%
Solo sé que estaré con El para la eternidad
Y solo confío en un amor permanente

Solo encuentro la gracia de Dios un regalo que nunca cesa
Solo pongo mi fe en una salvación que endura
Solo le adoro los momentos que respiro
Y solo cuando late el corazón obedezco la Palabra

the get together went well. thanks to bob for opening his house and to all who came and donated money toward my ministry in the amazon--to make the voice of the invisible children heard--to teach them the Truth. it's great to know i have a team behind me, supporting and praying for me. don't forget to consider being part of a building fund raiser in the fall (so we can begin to construct the children's home) and upcoming mission trips (construction/ medical/ service) starting summer 2008. many blessings.

WRITTEN IN FLESH
By Rachel C. Deal

The Word of God, Jesus Himself
Written on my heart
Etched in flesh, His revelations
From me will never depart

Meditating day and night
I delight to have Him close
The Great I AM, the sacrificial Lamb
He's what I want the most

The Word of God signed His Name in blood
The Life, the Truth, the Way
Hidden within so I might not sin
He lives on in my heart today

John 1:1-4, 14:6
Psalm 1:1-2, 119:11

Get Together at Bob's
This Friday evening, January 12, from 7-8:30, is the get-together, an opportunity for us to hang out, chat, and pray before I go back to the Amazon early February. I hope you come--it will really bless me. This is not per se a fund raiser, but there will be a basket available for any offerings you choose to give toward the street children ministry the Lord is building up in Iquitos. Directions are at the bottom of this page.

Thanks for viewing this blog. I hope you will continue to check in regularly and also leave comments, which is also a blessing to me.

Happy New Year 2007! The Lord has been healing me and showing me His will for me. I can't wait to share with you the new developments for my ministry in Iquitos, Peru, with the street children. Please come on January 12 to hear all about it, join with me in prayer. See you then!

"He comes to make His blessing flow, Far as the curse is found."

Powerful line of Joy to the World. We have joy because where there is sign of the curse, sin, Emmanuel comes full of blessing and covers us!

May this be a truly merry Christmas!

A Kentucky Christmas
By Rachel C. Deal
November 13, 2004

Ghostly hills
Ghastly sight
Starry sky
Silent night
Bitter cold
Blinking lights

Snowing softly
Sleigh bells ring
Good St. Nick
Gifts he brings
“Christ is born”
Carolers sing

Family gathered
Fire’s glow
Pumpkin pie
Prayer for shalom
Christmas time
Kentucky home

Directions to Bob's House
2103 Bainbridge Row Drive
Louisville, Kentucky, 40207

From 64 West or East TO 264 East OR 264 East (Watterson Express Way):
Go to Brownsboro Road (Hwy 42) Exit. Turn Left at Light. Turn Right at next Light onto Rudy Lane (Next to Hotel). Follow around to the Three Way Stop Sign (turns into Bainbridge Row Drive). Third House on the left. Park on right side of street only please.

From I-71 South or North TO 264 West (Watterson Express Way):
Go to Brownsboro Road (Hwy 42) Exit. Turn right at Light. Turn Right at next Light onto Rudy Lane (Next to Hotel). Follow around to the Three Way Stop Sign (turns into Bainbridge Row Drive). Third House on the left. Park on right side of street only please.

You may park at Dunn’s Elementary School yard. Take last drive ("deliveries only")- it will take you back to the walkway. Take walkway, (house next to Bob’s). Turn right to Bob’s House.

Louisville, KY, USA

It has been a month since I've written. I spent a few weeks in Buenaventura, teaching English and helping with some low-income families (including buying an outfit for a little girlfriend of mine); I also provided $250 to help a poor family start a business, selling a delicious oatmeal drink in the streets. This will enable them to survive. I love lending or giving money to hard-working people to start small businesses, endowing them with a sense of honest respect.

After my time there, a Colombian friend and I I traveled six hours to Armenia, the hometown of my pastor Daniel Ramirez, staying with friends and visiting with Daniel's uncle. The following day, we took an 18-hour bus ride to Bucaramanga for a missions conference, which lasted a week. I spent time with the Leticia team and met with Jaime Useche to discuss future plans. He has asked me to join a team who goes into the Amazon communities working with disadvantaged and disabled children, helping with their spiritual, educational, and physical needs. I will begin that work after the four-month YWAM training school in Bogota, called Children At Risk (March-June).

After the week in Bucaramanga (where I suffered from some intense stomach pains), I went to Bogota with my friend; we stayed with a Christian family, the same we had stayed with the month before. Two nights later, the day before I was scheduled to leave for the Amazon, I had such intense stomach pains, throwing up, screaming with pain, that I went to the hospital, actually a private clinic. The doctor, who I later found out was the "best surgeon in Colombia," said he needed to operate immediately, that I had appendicitis. So he began with a laparoscopy, and saw that part of my colon was twisted around my appendix and had to cut me open. Next Tuesday I get my stitches out, so I'll know better how I am healing. I feel a lot better. The first week after the surgery I could barely move, and my friend helped me a lot, caring for me in the clinic and at home. The doctor suggested I go home to recover. So I worked out my visa (it had expired--but I had no problem getting it extended) and plane ticket (it's stand-by, but Delta provided a wheelchair and much help all the way, because I could barely walk and could not carry or lift anything).

I came home December 20. I spend a short time with my family, but have been at home resting a lot. I get tired quickly, but am not in as much pain as before. I can walk and sit up without help, although sometimes it hurts more than others--the stomach muscles get used for everything! I am happy to be home for Christmas, with family and friends, volunteering and resting. I have many doctor's appointments in the next couple weeks, plus will go see my grandma before leaving the States. I love the Christmas lights and festivities and music--I miss that in Latin America. But at the same time, I am eager to return to work.

I plan to be here until January 17, when I go back to Colombia. There is a mission trip coming in and I have been asked by a pastor friend to help translate. Then there is a week retreat in Leticia with Jaime's team. Then I'll be a couple weeks in Iquitos helping Cecy prepare for her wedding, which I am a part of. Speaking of Cecy, I was supposed to help her with Christmas for the kids, and although I was not there, I sent her $300, which she used in buying gifts for needy children, giving them a special Christmas.

I have been spending my free time researching street children, reading When Invisible Children Sing by Dr. Chi Huang (he spent about a year in the streets of Bolivia, helping and studying the kids and later started an orphanage of respect not rehibilitation). I cried over the movie Hotel Rwanda, thinking about my newly adopted brothers and sisters (by the Ahlers family) from Liberia. How much I want to go and help. I see myself in the near future spending time in Liberia and eventually adopting kids myself. I am "adopting" a Liberian boy and a girl, becoming a "mother of love" to them, writing them letters and sending them gifts (kind of like Compassion Int'l). I really want to eventually write children's stories about these kids who have suffered--the world needs to hear the "invisible children singing."

Next week, I'll include an invitation with directions in my newsletter that I will mail out, but I will invite you now to a "Travelin' Shoes Ministry Get-together" at Bob Richman's (see directions) on Friday, January 12, from 7-8:30 PM. It is NOT an open house or a fund raiser. Just come to hear updates of my ministry see, pictures, ask questions, and pray for me. There will be snacks and drinks. This is a good way for me to see everyone, as I can't personally visit you all, due to my health situation and shortness of time here in the States. My plan is to return to the States late fall 2007 to spend more time with friends and family and to have a fund raiser for 2008's mission.

Concerning funds--many people generously raised money to help me with my hospital stay. I am using stand-by tickets, so flying is relatively inexpensive. I have insurance which should cover about 2/3 of my hospital bill, which was more than $1500 (but might have cost many thousands if I'd had the operation here in the States). I had to replace my laptop, which was another unexpected cost. But God is always faithful! I am appreciative of faithful monthly supporters, as well as the one-time gifts. Due to the extra expenses incurred, I lack $600 for the YWAM Bogota school, plus $200 for a plane ticket to return to Colombia. Those are my only imminent financial needs right now. I appreciate everyone who has been praying for me and giving--the Lord will richly repay you in many ways--watch and see that He is GOOD!!

Have a Merry Christmas! For the Invisible Children, Rachel