Jennifer and Alex Cabezon

A House

2012-02-09T13:48:00.001-08:00

Tuesday afternoon found us walking thestreets of Chepo (the neighborhood is called Margaritas), asking anyone we metif they knew of a rental house. Neighborafter neighbor told us that they didn't know of anything, and that it wasdifficult to find rental houses in that area. We saw a couple of rooms for rent, but I wasn't quite willing to go thatroute.

We had prayed before leaving that God wouldopen a door for us to move soon. Butthings were not looking promising. Thenone woman pointed down the path behind her house,

"I heard the house down there is forrent." I couldn't tell which houseshe was pointing towards, but we followed her directions to talk to thestep-daughter of the owner. She took usrather unenthusiastically to see the house, but her mother had forgotten toleave the key. The house didn't looklike much from the outside, but when she said "two bedrooms" we wereencouraged. At least we had one viableoption. We agreed to meet the owner thenext morning, since he lived in another town.

We continued on our way. On another side street, we asked an oldergentleman about rental houses. Hepointed from where we had just come, mentioning the house we had already lookedat. Then he stopped for a moment.

"Didn't I meet you in Gamboa?"

I realized that he had visited our churchin Gamboa about a month ago and we had talked briefly. I had shared with himabout our desire to move to Chepo. Welearned at that time that our church had contributed to the construction of HISchurch, in Chepo. Coincidence, huh?

He ended up giving us a small tour of thechurch (I also found out they have a Sunday school program, which would be nicefor the girls) and pointed us to another possible rental. As we talked, he said, “The doors are openfor you here!" We also learnedthat another couple who works at the church are missionaries who we had workedwith in the past through the Home program.

We were encouraged by this, although wedidn't find any other rental houses. Thenext morning we got a call from the owner of the one house we had seen. He came in a taxi to pick us up at the housewe were staying at, and we got a look inside the house. It was nicer on theinside than on the outside: a very decent kitchen, a newly finished bathroom,two bedrooms, and a living room/dining room area that wasn't too tiny. All and all, not too bad a deal. And therental price was very reasonable.

Alex and I looked at each other, and bothnodded. We told him we would takeit. We talked about when he would getthe electricity hooked up (the one important detail yet to be done), and wentto the nearby government office to sign the rental contract for 6 months. In about an hour, it was all done. We have a house!

We will wait until we hear from him thatthe electricity is hooked up, and probably move the last week of February. Standing outside the house, I think Alex andI both realized how much the rhythm of our life will be changing. Challenging, but it's a good change. Alex and Francisco already have many plansfor working with the young people of the church. I am excited to start a small women's biblestudy, now that I have somewhere to invite them too.

Abigail is excited about the move, althoughI don't think she realizes completely what it will mean. She does understand that we will be packingup all our stuff. Carolyn is just havingfun playing in the cardboard boxes…. Oh to be as oblivious as a two year old!

Thanks to all who have been sendingencouraging words our way during this time, and for your prayers. We can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Trouble in Wounaan communities

2012-02-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

I have written in the past about our outreaches to the communities of RioHondo and Platanares. But this week we learned of some serious conflictsthreatening these villages.

Friday, as we were in Chepo looking for houses, we stopped by a friend'shouse. Diogracio is a leader in Rio Hondo, though he lives in Chepo and worksthere.

He has been at the forefront of a battle for these communities to receivethe rights to their land. Several years ago, violence broke out with settlerswho were moving in on land traditionally belonging to the Wounaan. SeveralWounaan were injured, but no action was taken by the government.

Now, it has happened again.

According to Diogracio, a logging company has moved onto their land and istaking out their forest at an alarming rate. Those logging do not own the land,it's been claimed by the communities of Rio Hondo and Platanares, though thegovernment has not officially recognized that.

When the loggers were confronted by several people from the community, itsoon turned to violence. One logger was seriously injured. Now the communitylives under constant fear of the loggers, who are heavily armed.

Though Diogracio and other community leaders have been working day and nightto bring a resolution, the government has not yet responded or provided anyprotection to the community. The people are living in fear of attack. They arealso going hungry as they cannot get to their farms to bring back produce.

I want to emphasize that this is based on what Diogracio shared with us, soI will try to reconfirm all this.

Please lift up these communities in prayer. Diogracio and other leaders havebeen sued, even though they were not present at the time these things happened.So their families are also afraid, not knowing what the future holds.

All we were able to do that day was to pray with Diogracio and encourage himto keep doing what he was doing. And keep praying.

Thoughts on Being Scattered

2012-02-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

YWAM in Panama is going through a whole new stage. In a little over a year we have gone from one base, to four bases, with individuals, like us, going out from the bases in minister in other areas of the country. Basically, we are being scattered.

But most of us didn't really want it to happen. It was fun to all be together on one base, with lots of friends to share your vision, and many hands to make light work. It was great. Until it all started to change.

Our former director, Richard Tracy, and his wife, felt the call to move out and pioneer a new base in the Chiriqui province. Leaving new leaders in charge here, they went out. Just months later, another team, made up of two families, were sent out to start an urban base in the middle of Panama City. Then other staff began to feel to pull to move out, and settle closer to the people they feel called to reach.

Then, before we knew what was happening, Alex and I sensed that we too were being pushed out of the nest. We knew that the time had come to stop just going out to the communities, and become part of them.

This whole process has been a little scary and not without some confusion and stress. It makes me think of the tower of Babel in the Bible. People had a great plan, one big, happy family. But God had another plan in mind. They didn't quite understand. Or if they did, they thought their plan was better. Construct a tower, make a name for ourselves. So God came down and changed their plans.

He had something else in mind.

We see the same sort of thing in the book of Acts. Jesus told his disciples to go out and preach to the ends of the earth. But, well, I guess that seemed a little scary. They were really having a nice time sharing with other Christians in Jerusalem. Again, one big, happy family. They too were resisting the scattering. So again, God came in and gave them a little push. Persecution broke out, and before you knew it, Christians were heading out all over the known world, sharing the good news. It took them quite awhile to understand God's intentions.

I feel like we are in the same boat. We know that God wants us to go to the ends of the earth, but sometimes we would rather just stay around the campfire and sing "Kumba ya." There is pain in saying goodbye to friends, even when you know that it's the right step for them. Stepping out yourself is even harder, even when you know that God is saying, "Jump", and your only answer is too obey.

So here we are, being scattered, not to the far corners of the earth, but at least to the far corners of Panama. Thrilled about what God is doing, afraid of the unknown, trusting in his provision and direction. Jumping, knowing he will catch us everyday.

More about Chepo

2012-01-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

This is Panama! Here you can see the province of Panama. Currently we live on the YWAM base just north of Panama City (near Las Cumbres). Chepo is about 2 hours east of Panama City, just before you get to lake Bayano. As you can see, it's on the main highway.

Chepo is a mainly latino community, but it has a large Wounaan population. There are two Wounaan congregations there. It's a stopping off place on the way to the Darien province, and the destination of those coming in from the coastal communities. Many come to Chepo to study, or find work.

It's really an ideal location for us. We can live in a community with Wounaan, where we can do daily disciplship, and also been in a central location where it would be easy for us to travel to the more remote communities.

We hope to find a decent rental house, or perhaps one that we can rent to own. So we are in the process of looking into a house and those other details of moving. There will lots of challenges in the months to come and we ask for your prayers to support us in this time!

Changes brewing for the Cabezon family

2012-01-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

We aren't leaving Panama, or YWAM, just moving closer to where our visionis. For many years now we have served the indigenous people of Panama, mainlythrough short term outreaches, and by helping teenagers go to school, throughour "Home" program, or "Hogar" as we called it around here.

It was amazing and challenging experience to disciple young people up closeand personal, living with us 24 hours a day, getting to teach them, and investin their lives. It's also been exciting to see many of them go on touniversity, start their own families, and continue walking with God. Who knowsthat the next 20 years hold for these young people?

As we prayed about 2012, both Alex and I felt that it was time to put the"Home" program aside for awhile, that God wanted us to focus onsomething else. Through prayer, seeking counsel and prayer from people werespect both in and outside of YWAM, we felt it was time to move into a Wounaancommunity.

We had been praying for some time that God would open a door to live in aWounaan community, even for a few months. While we were picturing one of themore remote communities, when the door finally opened, it was not too far fromwhere we are now.

Alex began partnering with a young youth pastor in the community of Chepo,by the name of Francisco (who also happened to be a cousin). Soon it becameapparent that Francisco not only had a similar vision to what Alex wants to seeamong his people, but that the opportunity was there to work alongside him longterm.

As soon as we began looking into this, we were showered with opportunities.Last year, after completing the DTS outreach, visiting 5 Wounaan communities,we were given permission by church leaders to work with any church in theirconvention (The Iglesia Evangelica Unida, part of the Mennonite Brethren). Wealso began to meet other missionaries working in nearby areas, with whom wecould see ourselves partnering.

We soon saw that this was the right time and the right place. While livingon the YWAM base has facilitated our ministry in the past (and been a great blessing),the goals we have now will require us to move out into the community.

So what are those goals? We desire to see leaders trained and raised up tolead the next generation of Wounaan. Alex looks forward to doing lots ofone-on-one discipleship with Wounaan men, and passing along lots of what he haslearned. I look forward to teaching through oral Bible stories, andfacilitating the development of oral bible stories in the Wounaan language. Wealso hope to come alongside community development projects and other initiativesin the Wounaan communities.

So, what's in Chepo? More about that in the next post.

Christmas is....

2011-12-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

In Panama, Christmas is....

The coming of summer - time to go to the beach!

The end of the school year and time for summer vacation. Also graduations.

Time to paint your house.

Crazy traffic. And even more craziness in the toy stores.

Staying up till midnight to greet Christmas, then celebrating with a midnight Christmas dinner.

For us foreigners who foolishly go to bed early on Christmas evening, it means waking up at midnight to the fireworks also set off to greet the coming of Christmas.

Lots of festive trees brought down from Canada and sold on every corner.

Crime levels peak: got to get those Christmas gifts under the tree somehow.

Christ freely celebrated in every public place and venue. No need to wish "Happy Holidays".

Nativity scenes left with an empty manger until the 25th, when Christ arrives.

Special Christmas treats: apples, grapes, nuts, tamales, and breaded nut bread (rosca).

For us, a mixture of Panamanian and American traditions.

It's more blessed to give...

2011-11-27T15:49:00.001-08:00

Saturday afternoonfound us right on time for a rainy season down pour. We were at the shores ofthe Chagres River, right where it opens into the Canal. The opposite side of the river was shroudedby a blanket of white. The roar of therain wiped out all other noises.

Thankfully, thisdownpour also found us under a roof. Wewere waiting for a boat to cross over to the community of San Antonio. We waited, wondering how anyone would ventureout into the rain. Slowly, a canoe camearound the bend of the wide river, revealing two men on their feet, rowingtowards us. Alex's Dad had come to getus. He and the other oarsman weresoaking wet.

"Now that'slove." commented Alex, as the canoe touched land. After scooping out a good amount of water, wecarefully embarked. I couldn't help butnoticing the large hole in the front of the canoe. I have traveled in the samecanoe many times, but I don't remember the hole in the front looking that big.

"It's safeAlex, right?" I ask, needing some assurance. He says nothing, just motions for us to hurryand get in.

"We won't sink,will we?" Maybe he is wondering whyI am asking, since this is the boat his parent's always use. Maybe it's the torrential rains, but I amfeeling nervous.

"Just tell meit won't sink, please." It wouldn'tmake is safer, but I would feel better if he would say the words. Alex isn't obliging today. I guess it's another opportunity to trustGod.

We get in,maneuvering umbrellas to try and keep the girls dry. No seats, we just try and sit/squat withoutgetting too wet. I mentally rehearse how I would get rid of the umbrella andgrab Abigail if the canoe suddenly filled with water.

The girls are happy,talking and playing in the canoe, excited to be visiting Abuela's house. Finally, we arrive at the dock. The girls run up to the house and climb thefamiliar log ladder, and give Abuela a hug.

Soon after, we headover to the neighboring Embera community, for a meeting, the main reason wehave come. Their community house (alarge hut with dirt floor and a beautiful thatched roof) is full of people. An older couple from Canada are there, as isour Pastor, Bill Wilbur. The couple havebrought a large donation for the indigenous communities of Gamboa and haveasked the church to facilitate the gift. As missions chairman of Gamboa Union Church, I have to help decide howthis money can best benefit the community.

This is not an easytask. Money can cause conflict. Largeamounts of money can cause big conflicts. I pray for wisdom as the meeting starts. We have already decided how to distribute the money, but I am quite surethat not everyone in the community will see eye to eye with us. It doesn't help that we have a mixture ofEmbera and Wounaan, organized into two distinct communities.

Alex gets up andgives a short teaching on how to use our money wisely, in hopes that thisdonation would be used in the best way possible. Pastor Bill explains briefly how the donationwill be made, and I get the fun job of answering questions and clarifyingthings. As I expected, not all inagreement, but things remain civil.

As we wrap up, thecommunity surrounds the donors, thanking them for the gift, and many givingsmall gifts back: local arts and crafts, botanical medicines, thanks andprayers. In the back ground, a flock ofparrots has taken up residence in a nearby tree, making conversationharder. The howler monkeys sound closeby, right in the village, although I can't see them through the branches.

As I ride back overto my in-laws house in their canoe, I contemplate the meeting, praying thatthis gift will truly be a blessing. Praying that some will invest it, some will save, some will learn togive to others. Praying for honesty onpart of the leaders. Praying for peace between the communities. The Bible tells us it is more blessed to givethan to receive. I know the givers will be blessed. I hope blessing will come for those receivingas well.

A visit to San Antonio

2011-11-07T10:42:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday Abigail, Carolyn and I were visiting San Antonio. Our friends Chris and Vanessa Collins had a visiting group who wanted to learn more about how YWAM is reaching out to indigenous groups in Panama. Abigail was motivated by the fact that we would get to see "Abuela" and "Tatooi" (grandma and grandpa). Carolyn just wants to make sure she is going wherever we are going.It was a sunny day as we crossed the Chagres River where it opens in the Panama Canal. Our driver, Alex's cousin, manuvered through the water plants, and brought us up to the slightly sinking dock. Abigail and Carolyn ran up the give Abuela hugs, since she was waiting at the dock for us. The Collin's visiting group enjoyed the visit, and a taste of Indigenous culture. I tried to sum up in 20 minutes or so the work we have been doing with the indigenous and also what our vision is for the futre. This was much easier since Alex and I have been working or family mission statement together.The group visited several houses, sharing with different families. Vanessa stayed with the kids at the playground put in by Homes of Hope, a YWAM ministry, in July. I went along as the guide and translator. At one house, we encouraged those in the group to climb up into a house, using the traditional log/ladder. A couple members of the group decided not to try (it was a very thin, long ladder, so I don't really blame them). I stayed below with them and we began chatting with a women who appeared to by working on some baskets. Alex calls her "aunt" but I'm not sure that the actual relationship. She began telling me how she had been sick (I hadn't seen her in church for several weeks). Although I know that she is related to Alex, we have never really talked much. She began to share about her sickness and pulled out some baskets, asking me to show them to the visitors. She hoped to buy some detergent to wash their clothes. I showed them the baskets and explained a little about the process, while translatiting questions and answers. She ended up selling a basket and getting twice the price she was asking. We also prayed for her healing, and she shared with me some of her struggles, and I encouraged her to keep trusting in God through her struggles. I know that selling the basket meant a lot to her. When you don't have any money, even a little helps. I know the visit also encouraged her. Sunday, she came to church again and sought me out, wanting to share more. I thanked God for allowing me to friend to her and show her that she is not alone.We also stopped in on Alex's young cousin Nair, who just had her second baby, and is single. She and Vanessa swapped stories on how their babies were sleeping, and we prayed for the little baby girl. I inwardly cringe, hoping that Nair will raise her well. Hoping that Nair will make good choices, and seek what's best for her children. Praying that this little one's future doesn't include poverty, rejection, or bed step-fathers. Praying for a better future for these little ones.P.S. visit here to find out more about what the Collins are doing: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jucum-PTY-Ywam-PTY/264689363569307

Remember the orphans....

2011-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a moment to highlight one of our fellow staff. Mireya is from Honduras. She was a student in our January DTS and is currently serving on staff. Two days a week she visits a girl's home. I thought I would share part of her newsletter and some photos taken there last week when Mireya, Alex and other staff visited the Home to help with maintainence work.

Here is an excerpt from her latest newsletter:

I arrived at this orphanage with the desire to be a blessing to whomever I met there, be it the staff of the teens who lived there. My main idea was to begin a ministry with the teens in the orphanage, “Hogar Mi Milagro” (Home: My Miracle). There live 21 children and teens from the ages of 9 to 17, all facing difficulties and problems in their home lives. Their home is now this orphanage, which gives them a roof over their heads, and food, but it’s not a place where their voices are heard.
Listen to them was exactly what I wanted to do, each Tuesday and Thursday when I visit. I get up early to head out, hoping to bring joy to the hearts of these young girls. I spend time sharing a devotional with them, sharing with them how important God is in our lives. We share a time of worship, and also games. The rest of the time I am able to give some more individual attention, teaching some of them to read, helping others with their math homework, and giving computer classes to others.
Every time I visit, I am inspired by what I see God doing in the lives of these girls. One Tuesday, four of the young girls came up to me and asked me to spend some one-on-one time with each of them. They just wanted to share what they had been through in their childhood, and with their families, and the reason each one had been placed in that home. Each story was heartbreaking, and in spite of it all, each desires to be back with their families. They asked me to pray that their families would change. I did pray, believing with all my heart that the God of miracles can change any situation.

A conversation

2011-10-15T11:50:00.001-07:00

Sometimes a simple conversation can spark ideas. Alex had just such a conversation last weekend when he was hanging out with Wounaan friends and family, supporting a church youth group (I wrote a little about this in the last post).

He was at a home, sitting around and talking with family and friends. The hostess' oldest son, Irving, was doing poorly in school, and in their usual frank manner, the family was discussing the situation. He had failed several classes his last report card.

His mother was threatening to take him out of school and send him to the country to live with his grandfather, helping him on the farm. If it sounds pretty drastic to you, please realize that most of the parents of Wounaan kids in school now never finished their own schooling, and THEIR parents didn't go to school at all. So schooling is not a historical value, and is seen today as a means to an end: getting a better job. Most parents from indigenous communities make huge sacrifices to see their children through school. The cultural value of family teaches the children to pay their parents back by supporting them in their old age. So the parents are willing to make the effort, seeing it as a long term investment.

Sooo... when a child is doing poorly, the investment no longer seems worth it. The most logical step is to stop spending money on what they see as a useless project, and simply take the child out of school.

So Irving, a junior in highschool is failing. His aunt, not much older than him, makes a light-hearted statement:
"You have a gift for drawing, that's for sure. But you don't have much brains." (I have seen some of his drawing and they were exceptional) Several in the room chuckled. While there was nothing unusual to this conversation in their culture, Alex felt pained watching the interaction. He knew those words had to have hurt. Alex himself was put down many times by friends and relatives in his teen years, and it took him awhile to overcome their negative predictions.

As he was on the bus, coming home, the wheels in his mind began to turn. What could he do for this young man, and so many others like him. The Wounaan people are extremely gifted artists. Their woven baskets are some of the finest, if not the finest in the world.

When Alex arrived, he told me about this encounter and we began to brainstorm. I have a couple of ideas, and Alex envisions getting together young people and helping them find ways to use their gifts; making a living and blessing the Wounaan people. These ideas are only in infancy, but Alex is excited to try and but hope back into the eyes of this young man... and others.

(above is a photo of Irving with the youth group, below is a sample of Wounaan baskets.)

a weekend in Chepo

2011-10-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

I had a few moments to contemplate last night as we were in Chepo. It was almost midnight and I was looking for a shower. When I asked our hostest where I could shower she pointed me to the house next door. They had an unfinished shower out behind the house with a lovely view of the stars. I was amused to find that the shower curtain was made from an old political banner: amazing how many uses people find for those after the elections are done.

We were in Chepo working with a small church, specifically with the youth group. Their youth pastor, Fransisco, has been great to work with and is full of vision and wanting to impact his community and beyond. He's the sort of person that it's a joy to work with. I was asked to prepare a teaching for the youth group on dating. Interesting, since the church is Wounaan and the Wounaan don't traditionally date as part of their culture.

However, we talked a little bit about that and I found a Bible story I thought was relevant both to the subject and Wounaan culture. Truly, their culture is in limbo as they live in the midst of a latino community, trying to figure out which aspects of their culture they can hold on to, as others are lost in the melting pot of Panamanian culture. Sadly, what often happens is that minority cultures, when they lose their own customs, take on the customs of the lowest common denomonator. Having no culture ideal of what a good dating relationship should look like, they reproduce what they see going on around them in the community (the results are often painful).

So we were able to reflect some on what God has to say about relationships, whatever culture you are in, and spent an enjoyable time sharing with the youth group. We met after the normal evening service, so we finished quite late (thus the almost midnight shower) but felt it was well worth the time and effort.

Iron sharpens iron

2011-08-29T11:47:00.001-07:00

Last week our base had the opportunity to host a great team from Vancouver, BC. They came in with lots of energy and passion and definately made an impact. The last evening they were here, we shared a wonderful time of worship and lots of thank-yous were said. The organizer of the group said some very encouraging word and mentioned the passage in the Bible where is says that iron sharpens iron. It's so true. Having groups like them visit is an encouragement to us. They were so excited to be here serving Jesus, it reminds us why we are here.

Please check out this inspiring video of their time here. Thanks!

http://vimeo.com/28290926

Simple power

2011-08-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

The row of small faces watched Linda intently, the dark brown eyes only leaving her to catch the translation of her story. Behind them, several adults with babies listened as well. I tried to take them all in as I translated, letting them know the story was for them as well.

At the end of the row sat Abigail and Carolyn, also intent on the story of a man who disobeyed God and got eaten by a large fish. Pretty impacting.

When Linda got out the paper and showed them how to make a simple origami whale, the children eagerly took the sheets of light blue paper. Soon the mothers with babies came forward, apparently wanting to make one for their child. Amusingly, the men were not far behind, wanting to make one themselves. A gruff 60-year-old had to come closer to see how the folds were to be made.

The dirt floor became a seat and the wooden bench a table. Markers came out, and the whales were decorated with scary large teeth (by the men) and flowers (by the little girls).

As we mounted the canoe to begin our trip back to the base, Abigail was full of questions about the story: why did Jonah hide from God?, who threw him in the water?, Were the people of Ninevah bad? and on and on.

I hoped that the story had thus impacted the others present. There is nothing so simple, and so powerful as telling God's stories.

A New Home

2011-07-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

Alex's parents teared up as they we dedicated their newly built home this past week. We hosted a wonderful team from Homes of Hope (a YWAM ministry) who built a new house to replace their old home which is on it's last legs.

The village of San Antonio was overrun with teenagers eager to lend a hand as they put up the structure of the house and built a playground for the community. The village children were eager to try their new playground, giving it a test run even before it was completed. Abigail and Carolyn were not to be left behind and gave it their mark of approval.

Several YWAM staff, including Alex, put in long hours of work for this project to come together. Thanks to all involved!

Looking Back...

2011-06-29T20:50:00.001-07:00

To me one of the great irony's of mission work, is that when you have lots to write home about, you lack the time. So has been the last 6 months. We started training our staff team to lead the DTS on January 2nd, and it feels like we have been on a 100 mile and hour ride that we just managed to get off of.

This last Sunday we had the change to share at Gamboa Union Church about our outreach. It was a good opportunity for me to reflect back a little on all that was accomplished.

As we heard the many testimonies of the students; what they learned, how they saw God work, new insights, amazing experiences, one in particular really stuck out to me.

Yariani is 18 years old, just finished her highschool (she went through our program for indigenous youth). She and Alex are cousins on both sides (they share both mother's and father's last names). She can at times be moody, hard to get along with, and doesn't mind letting you know her mind. No cultural sensitivity here. But I have always gotten along great with her. All of her positive qualities much outway her grumpy face. She is hard working, honest, and trustworthy. She has overcome great odds to get where she is, and she isn't letting little hardships get in her way.

When she decided to do the DTS here, I knew it would be a challenge for her. She later told us that it was the first time she really started to develop a relationship with God, pray, read her Bible, hear God's voice. Up until now she had just been going through the motions. As I expected, she didn't get along too great with her room mates, and she never never lost her moodiness. I guess since I know her, it didn't get to me.

I knew that lots was going on under the surface. During the last week of the school she gave us and idea of just how much was going on. Yariani had the incredile challenge of being part of an outreach team that visited her hometown. There, she not only had the challenges that the rest of us faced, but the expectations and opions of the community. Some couldn't see past the girl they had seen grow up. Some criticized her for doing a DTS instead of going straight to university. Others for hanging out with foreigners. Others just wanted to take a shot at her. I don't think any of us really understood how hard it was for her.

Yet she didn't share that as we reflected back on the time together. What she shared was this:
"As we were in my community, I saw for the first time how needy they are, needy for the word of God. They need to be taught. And I thought inside myself, 'seeing how my community is now, what am I going to do about it?'"

Those quietly spoken words resounded in me. What am I going to do about it? That sounds to me like words that can change the world.

Pray for Yariani. She had decided to put off her university a little longer and stay on with YWAM as a volunteer. We are glad to have her and I have the feeling that her journey has just begun.