So Much Love

Every day around 3:30 all the kids ranging from 2 years old to 5 years have movie time.
As we all know, this age group has the attention span of a 2 month puppy (a.k.a. non existant). Well yesterday, like every day, my lap was filled with two kids and another on top of my back, hanging around my neck. I'm not supposed to encourage play at this time, but yesterday I just couldn't resist. Jenny, Judith and I broke out in cosquillas (tickles). After several minutes of laughing and tickling, Judith yelled, "Bolitas a Mackenzy!" Up until this moment I had no idea what this ment, but I soon found out! All EIGHT kids who had previously been watching the movie quickly ran towards me and began attacking me with tickles. We were soon tangled in a giant ball and the end was far from sight until Luz, my co-worker, rescued me.



The two little angels who got me in trouble!
Jenny (left) & Judith (right)

Truthfully, I didn't want this violent ball of love to ever end. These children have imprinted their names on my heart and each one has made me fall in love with them in some special way. I take every opportunity I get to hug 'em and love 'em. These little ones are giving me a deeper understanding of God's love. You see, I struggle with the fact that the Lord loves me no matter what I do, no matter what I think, or no matter what I say. But my struggle to perceive this concept does not alter the fact that He does!  The creator of the universe loves me no matter how many times I deserve to be put in timeout. He wants to scoop me up into a big ball and give me a giant peck on the cheek. He wants me to pile into His lap and demand His already given attention.

Romans 8:39 says "Neither height now depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." It's right there! NOTHING can seperate us from His love. It doesn't seem possible, but that's the awesome part about our Savior, His love surpasses all knowledge! (Ephesians 3:19)

1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God."

God LAVISHES us with love. As humans we want to look for love in something that is tangible, in someone we can see and feel; but the truth is that God's love is so powerful and readily available to everyone. When we come to His word and listen to His still, small, voice, He will lavish us with His love. You are His child and His desire is for you to draw near to Him, He wants you to yell, "Bolitos a Dios!"

Alto Voltage

Alto Voltage is an awesome youth group that takes place at the Open Arms Campus every Friday night. Now this isn't just any youth group, this youth group is GIGANTIC and welcomes kids from miles around. Daniel (married to Heidi, the couple who founded Open Arms) and the High Voltage leadership team drive to 5-6 different stops to pick up and drop off teenagers from destinations that surround La Mision. On the average night, 100 teenagers will attend high Voltage...100!!! The Open Arms campus takes on an entirely different atmosphere compared to it's usual "orderly" environment. With 100 teenagers roaming the grounds it's quite lively and always entertaining. The usual activities consist of teatherball, basketball, foosball, pool and air hockey. The night begins with hanging out outside, continues with worship and a 20 min message and then ends with the "House Sandwich". Every night they serve the classic ham sandwich on white bread and a warm cup up hot co co!


My BFF Jessica came to visit for the weekend and
got to help make the famous house sandwiches!


When I first volunteered to work at Open Arms I knew nothing about High Voltage and therefore had no intentions of getting involved. Fortunately God knew what was up and the High Voltage Leadership team has adopted me as a new member. They all invite me to tag along with them to the beach, nail appointments, family lunches, trips to Ensanada, etc. I love these people! Ranging from age 15 to mid 50s, the High Voltage team is eager to do God's will and to share God's love to the teens of Mexico.

The first week I arrived to Open Arms Daniel presented me with a big task...at the time I was unaware of its grandness. He asked me to plan the decorations for a formal dinner they would be hosting for High Voltage. He said that it would take place in two and a half weeks and that he wanted me to take charge and make it look like a Hollywood premiere. For those of you who know me personally...you will not be surprised when I tell you that I was wide eyed and jumping out of my skin, I live for this stuff. As the previous 2011-2012 ASB Commissioner of Clubs I am quite experienced with decorating, planning and  organizing. I got to work and soon found myself feeling useful and important to the High Voltage team. I had literally been living in Mexico for less than a week and the team was perfectly satisfied with receiving my orders....in my controlling, perfectionistic brain this seemed absurd ,but I was happy to help!

Daniel and Rafa brought along some
 extra help from their Bible College!

It was the eve of the dinner and the High Voltage team piled into my apartment to prep for the big night and to also bake 200 cupcakes for our 100 guests. Remember that I had only been living in Mexico for 3 weeks and my Spanish was far from where it is now (and where it is now is far from fluent!). It was me and about 10 Spanish speakers with google as our translator, lets just say we had some major laughs and mistakes along the way! But God used each moment to welcome me into my new home. By late Thursday night the cupcakes were decorated, the decorations were prepped and we were less than 24 hours away from the Hollywood premiere.

The dinner started at 7 and our decorating began at 3! We thought 3 hours of prep would have been sufficient...but of course things never go according to the plan. We rushed to the finish line and the outcome was just as we had envisioned. 80 teenagers arrived in their best attire, ready to enjoy a night in Hollywood. 



The Lovely Heidi

I too arrived expecting to sit back and enjoy the night that we had all worked so hard to put on. Once again God knew what was up and I was caught in oblivain. Daniel had arranged for his Bible college teacher to speak at the dinner...it was 7:00 and his teacher was no where to be found. Heidi and I were sitting at the table and she looked over at me and said, "Well if she doesn't show up are you ready to give you testimony?" I began to laugh as I thought she was kidding. But after a few short chuckles I realized that she was completely serious. What! These were my peers, kids that had lives unimaginable to me, how could I speak to them? Peace began to overtake me and I knew that I it was going to happen, I could kick and scream but either way God was going to have me speak. After several years of learning, God has taught me that He will have is way in you, its just your decision to decide if it'll be hard or easy. I decided to make it easy for him that night and began praying. I said, "God, you knew this was going to happen and I'm sure glad you did becasue I have no idea what to say! Speak through me!"

Of course he was faithful...so out of character for God right?...NOT! I gave my testimony and explained that God has rewarded me for choosing Him. I also shared my views on some issues that us as teenagers face. Partying is luring but His love endures forever. Sex seems enticing but His love is forever fulfilling. God used me when I least expected it and I was blessed through his surprise. I'm slowly learning to enjoy these spur of the moment deals, they keep it fun, thanks God :)



The dinner was about 3 weeks ago and its seems so distant. At the time the High Voltage teem was merely a group of people who shared a common goal, now they are a group of people who I have grown to love and spend a large amount of time with. I cannot express my gratitude to God. He loves to throw in those extra bonuses...ya know like 20 or more new friends you were totally not expecting! Every day I ask God, "Why me?" "Why did you choose me to work for your kingdom?"

High Voltage only began this past January and is still trying to find new ways to bring more and more kids in to here the gospel. Please pray that God helps the leadership team and that he works in the hearts of the kids here in La Mision.

Open Arms Overview 2!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry that it's been so long since I've written. I'm kind of a perfectionist and if I don't have time to correct what I write..I don't want to post anything. But here it is! Sooooo much has happened in the past month that I don't even know where to begin. My homesickness has melted away almost entirely. I've made several new friends and some close relationships have been formed. Heidi and Daniel (the couple who started Open Arms) have taken me in as family and they're awesome to hang out with. Like I told you before, I work with the kids ages 4 months-5 years, and I adore each and everyone of them. The workers here are constantly filling the campus with laughter and joy and I look forward to their company each day. Although my surroundings are foreign, I feel as though this is my home. Over the 6 weeks that I have been here God has been transforming and maturing my heart in ways that I can hardly explain. His great love has become so apparent that my joy is overwhelming. Each smile, each hug, each loving touch has impacted my life and caused me to desire more of Him who is my creator, my savior, my love.

I've obviously never had my own children but when I look into the eyes of the kids here, I feel this love that is so strong that my heart leaps. Their little faces are so precious and I lock away each smile in my heart. When I embrace them in my arms or spin them around I am filled to the brim with God's joy. It seems silly to receive so much joy from something so simple, but the only way I can give account for such emotions is to say that it's the result of God's love for me. God chose me. He chose me to come here, to spend my days changing diapers, to put kids in timeout, to dance to silly songs, to race little boys to the end of the courtyard, but most importantly: to share His love with HIS children. Everyday I ask Him, "Why me? Why did I get to come here and do ALL this?" A good friend that I recently acquired told me, "I'm not amazed by what God has done in my life, I'm amazed that He did it in MY life." How perfectly true is that? God can do whatever he wants whenever he wants;he doesn't need me to show his love, but he wants to show his love through me. He WANTS to let me be apart of his great gift of love.

Now child care is not all rainbows and daisies; it's often frustration and prayer for patience. When I change the same little girls pants 3 times in one day because she doesn't want to potty train, I kind of want to scream....really loudly. But then I take one glance at her little smirk and I can't help but kiss her on the cheek and laugh out loud. I have formed specific bonds with each child and each bond grows as I watch them learn and grow. I love hearing them yell my name when I enter the room or seeing their faces light up when I spin them around. It's also heartbreaking to know that some of these kids don't get all the love and attention a little one should receive. But knowing that they need love makes me feel all the more crucial to God's kingdom. I'm here to love and they need more love...sounds like a perfectly orchestrated plan to me. Gloria a Dios!

There is one little girl in particular,Jenny (above), who my heart cries out for. Her father died a few months ago and she is slowly healing from the tragedy. When she first arrived at Open Arms she arrived in shock and confusion. Heidi rescued Jenny and her brother Miguel from an orphanage. Jenny's mother reached a point of desperation and felt as though an orphanage was the only option for her kids to receive sufficient care. Heidi knew the mother and heard that she had taken Jenny and Miguel to the orphanage. The same day the kids arrived at the orphanage, Heidi raced over and brought them to Open Arms. Their mother was called immediately and offered child care for her children at Open Arms. Jenny and Miguel now live with their mother but feelings of abandonment and grief for their father are issues that will painfully linger. When I first met Jenny she wouldn't say a word to me, she simply stared at me. After several weeks of love and attention, Jenny now refuses to leave my side. We have become best buds and she loves to fall asleep in my lap during movie time each day. When I hold this precious girl I feel as though I'm fulfilling my purpose in life, I'm doing what God has called me to do. 

I know that God still has an extravagant amount of work to do in my life, but their is no resistance left in my heart. I want Him to have His way in me. I'm ready to dive in and go wherever He wants to take me. Each day I am presented with a divine appointment. Whether its a conversation with a brother or sister in Christ or getting some one on one time with a child, God is using so many different people and situations to bring me closer and closer to His will for my life. God has completely confirmed that missions is for me.

God's Word That Keeps Me Thriving :)

2 Corinthians 9:12-15
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Too Stinkin Cute!!!

 So yesterday I was working in the baby room and the funniest thing happened! But before I tell you the story, I have to introduce you to Karla. Karla es muy traviesa!!! (a.k.a very mischievous) She is a little over a year and a half and has such an adorable personality. Karla's favorite word is "ya". Besides "agua", "no" and "mama"...it's the only word she knows. She loves running around the room, picking up an interesting looking toy and saying, "ya?" But she doesn't just say "ya" once...she repeats it over and over and over, with this astronomically huge grin on her face. Every time she does this I just want to give her a big squeeze and giant peck on the cheek (I usually do!). Karla is such a laid back, little muchacha; she'll just go with the flow and always find something to smile about.

Karla is on the front of the cart

Okay, now back to my story! Every day we do the little girls hair to make sure they look fresh and pretty for the day. My co-worker Vicky was styling one of the girl's hair when something suddenly pulled her attention and she was obligated to leave the room. Karla, being the lovely little lady that she is, decided to takeover as the hair stylist. Of course she didn't get very far and I eventually told her that I needed to take over. Karla didn't like that very much and ran off to find something that would ease her frustration.  I then sat down to finish the little girl's hair, who all the while had been waiting so patiently. I quickly finished the hair-do and was immediately asked by Said to unite his shoes, leaving all the hair stuff on the table.

The "hair stuff" consists of a large tub of gel, a spray water bottle, and a bag full of hair ties. After assisting Said, I glanced over my shoulder to see Karla's face and hair COVERED in hair gel! It looked as though Karla had dunked her head inside the tub of gel. The gel was caked onto her eyelashes, eyelids, eyebrows and forehead. Luz, another co-worker, and I were laughing so hard that we couldn't breathe. The best part was that Karla was convinced that her hair was "muy bonita". Luz kept asking her, "Karla, did you do you hair, do you look pretty?" and of course her response was, "Ya, ya, ya, ya." She then persisted to comb the gel to the remaining parts of her head and struggled to spray her cute little face with water. After I finally caught my breath and wiped tears from my eyes, I walked over to Karla and began to wipe the gel off her face. Karla immediately pushed me away saying, "No, no, no!" She demanded that she would finish her hair and that she did NOT need any one's help. Luz and I allowed her to have her fun for another minute and then I scooped her up and carried her off to the bathroom where I then drenched her face and hair with water. I spent the next 10 minutes combing gel out of her hair!

Karla: Take Two!

I don't know if this is one of those stories where "you have to be there", but whatever, I'm going to tell you anyways.

Later, during the same day as the gel incident, I was playing Power Rangers and Dinosaurs with 3 little boys. The boys would pretend to shoot be with their "powers" and I would fall to the ground and act wounded or dead. All the little kids thought this was the funniest thing they had ever seen, so of course, I continued my little act. I eventually picked myself off the ground after being severely attacked, and the boys then decided to stick the dinosaurs in my face and roar in a surprisingly loud voice. At this time Karla was sitting about 10 feet away, playing with a fake, little, pink laptop. She saw what the boys were doing to me and decided that she too would like to "attack" me. While the boys were sticking the dinosaurs in my face screaming "Roooooaaaar", Karla sprinted over to me, shoved the pink laptop in my face and yelled "Raaaaaawwwwwrrrr!!!" Karla, Karla, Karla, how you make my heart sing.

Pray for Karla!
 
Karla's dad is in and out of jail and her mom is raising 6 kids alone. But praise God! Thanks to God's unconditional love shared at Open Arms, Karla's mom is now a Christian!!!

Open Arms Overview!

Okay everyone, here it is! My first post in my blog! Sorry it has taken so long, I'm HORRIBLE with technology and I've been dreading this new experience. But thanks to Julie Timms I might be a pro quite soon...we'll see. Anyways, back to the main purpose of this blog- sharing my exciting new experiences with all you people that I love and appreciate sooooo much!

For those of you who don't know, I graduated from Golden West High school in June and put college on the backburner. For the first time in 13 years, my mind will not be preoccupied with homework, sports teams, drama rehearsals, or just plain drama; it's going to be dedicated to one thing: God's mission field. For the next 9 months I will be seeking God's will for my life and surrendering to His guidance. I am completely indifferent as to what I want to study in college, but I do know one thing: I soooo want to be a missionary! Hopefully God wants that too! As of right now I'm living in La Mision, Baja California. I'll be living here for 3 1/2 months and on December 16th I will head on home. After reuniting with my family for Christmas, I'll fly off to Corrietnes, Argentina where I will be volunteering at 3 different Christian ministries: Young Life, Medi Mision, and La Casa De Mi Hermano (you'll here more about those later!). 

 

 But anyways, here in La, Mision I'm working at a Daycare called Open Arms. The Daycare is a non-profit daycare that focuses on keeping families together and preventing child abandonment. Families here in Mexico will often fall apart because they cannot afford child care and therefore may be forced to put their children in an orphanage. Open Arms provides a safe place for kids to stay while their parents are at work. From newborn babies to maturing sixth graders, Open Arms does everything needed for these kids to have full tummies, consistent education and unconditional love. http://www.facebook.com/#!/openarmsmexico I absolutely love this place. It is filled with the Holy Spirit and ruled by God's love. Heidi and Daniel Elizarraraz founded this ministry 7 years ago and God has blessed this place immensely!

 

Heidi and Daniel with their daughters Samaria and Selah

 

As of today I have officially been in La, Mison, Baja California for 2 weeks. I'm not going to be a liar and tell you that the weeks flew by, because quite honestly, they didn't. The first week was an emotional whirlwind. Between the unpacking, the homesickness, the adaption to working and not sleeping in, the food, the language...the EVERYTHING, it was difficult to not break down and cry. But God knew that I would need some encouragement my first week so he gave me a lovely, short-time roommate named Emily Roberts. Her and her family are missionaries in Taiwan but are originally from Georgia. She came to the states for about a month to help out with some different Christian ministries and then headed down to Mexico to work at Open Arms. We had an absolute blast together as we were engulfed in the Mexican culture. She only stayed a week, but God knew that's what I needed- I needed a little beginner boost! Not only was she a huge blessing, but now a great friend! :) Love you Emily!

 

The first week spent her was mostly adapting to my new routine and getting to know the staff. Each week day I wake up at 7...ish (more like set my alarm for 6:30 and snooze till 7:30), eat breakfast and go to the "Baby Room" at 8:30. They call it the baby room but the ages of the kids actually range from 4 months to 4 years. At most, we will have 20 kids in the room with 3 helpers. I'm usually in there for most of the day but Heidi (her and her husband Daniel are the founders of Open Arms) will often ask me to do some projects for her. My work day usually ends shortly after 5. The days are not short of excitement and that is simply because the personality of a child under the age of 5 is like that of an ocean: unpredictable yet wonderful, beautiful yet violent.  I love them all to death and fall in love with each personality more each day, but sometimes I just want to know why? Why do you insist on wearing your sunglasses to the bathroom? Why do you get mad when I touch the teatherball... even though you asked me to play the game WITH you? Why do you randomly pull your friends hair and cry when you I tell you not to? Why do you NOT want to eat? (that's the weirdest of them all!).  Like I said, I adore these kids, but working at a daycare is premium birth control...let me tell you! I think every teenage girl in Tulare County should have to volunteer at a daycare by the age of 14.  Although childcare is exhausting, I am already reaping the rewards of caring for them. Seeing these precious, joyous smiles in the midst of all their troubles is amazing!

To the left is David and to the right is Jenny. These two are polar opposites! Jenny is shy and timid while David is a little firecracker who loves to dance and take pictures with my camera!

Not only am I involved with the little ones, but I'm helping out with the youth group here called Alto Voltaje (High Voltage). Daniel (founder of Open Arms) is in charge of the youth and does an awesome job attracting the community to God's word. Over 120 kids attend the group!!! On the leadership team for High Voltage there is a man named Renee and he lived in the U.S. for a while. His English is great so he has adopted me as a student! He makes me speak Spanish to him and corrects me as I go along. I'm so grateful for Him! Also on the Alto Voltaje leadership team is Javier, Daniela and Miguel. Javier knows a little English and Daniela and Miguel don't know any but they still make me feel welcomed and apart of the team :) They have a big "Hollywood Gala" coming up and I'm coordinating the decorations. As most of you know I loooove this kind of stuff so I'm super excited! It's this Friday, September 21st, should be fun! Unfortunately teenagers aren't as capable of surpassing a language barrier as toddlers are... youth group is Friday nights and I've made a few friends...can't really talk to them...but I'll get there! I'm more like something to stare at rather than someone to talk to haha.

Let's see...there's so much to tell you! Everything is so new and different! Oh my neighbor Rafa! He's sooooo funny and energetic! He's been a missionary for 18 years and the love of Christ spills out of his every limb. It's quite amazing how welcomed he's made me feel. He is in charge of the worship at the church here called New Life which takes place on the Open Arms Campus. His girlfriend Veronica, who is also on the worship team, is just as big of a sweetheart, not to mention she has the most gorgeous voice ever! My goal is to get really good at cooking and then I'm invite them over to my place one night for dinner (it's so weird to say "my place"). Veronica (a.k.a. Vero) left, Rafa middle

Now I don't want you all thinking that it's all work and no play haha! I've already visited Ensenada, seen a local soccer game, had some girls' nights, been to Sea World, attended a baby show and a birthday party and celebrated Mexico's Independence Day...in just 2 weeks! Heidi and Daniel have taken me in as a part of their family and have made me feel right at home. I can't believe that God has chosen me to be his worker, it's amazing! I have soooo much more to tell you! I'm going to try and update my post at least every Sunday so keep checking up on me! I'm going to start posting my prayer requests on here as well.  

I love you all very much and appreciate your prayers! Remember that ALL Christians are called to GO share the gospel, even in our own hometowns. Time is running out and more and more people are headed for eternal torment and anguish, just imagine your life without an ounce of love, light, truth, or joy....that's hell, eternal separation from God. I'm not here in Mexico just to see a different part of the world; God called me here because He wants his truth and love to be spread to these people. 
Please watch this video!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ&feature=g-all-u  

Some guy named Brad Taylor showed it to me...part of my inspiration :)
If you want to serve those whom God loves, check out Nehemiah Project International! It's in Visalia and they NEED help spreading God's word. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Nehemiah-Project-International/116602281717999
Nehemiah works to spread God's love to the Northern part of Visalia by providing food, clothes, yard work, child care, love and prayer! If you're interested call my dad at 559-303-1210!!!

Prayer Requests

-Praise! I've made several friends and they've definitely eased the homesickness 

-Praise! My health is good and my body has adjusted to all the change
-I've been reading Exodus and I want to have a closeness with God that resembles the relationship between Moses and God, he trusted God and always want to be in Hod's presence
-Open Arms is trying to get Christmas present sponsors, I pray that they are fulfilled!
-I've made a friend who's 4 years old and her dad just died a few months ago. Her name is Jenny and we've formed a bond, she trusts me and we love to play together, I pray that her <3 is fully healed by God's love and comfort