Welcome 2009!!

I started this year with this thought: God is good!

The year 2008 was an amazing year! It was filled with blessings and fulfilled goals in my personal, professional, and spiritual life. As you know, this year I had the opportunity to move to Wisconsin and start the LTD program at Camp Forest Springs. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about camping ministry from a camp with more than 50 years of experience in Christian Camping. 2008 is over, and I’m vey excited for what is yet to come.

As you know the winter season up here is a little longer that what I’m used to. Camp opens its doors every Sunday for community days. We started last Sunday the 4th and we will continue till the second or third week of March. Praise God with me as during this time we will be able to serve about 8 thousand people! Even with the cold, snow, and windchill, winter is our busiest season of the year.

In last month’s post, I told you about the plans that camp had for me to be a ski instructor…well that plan is over. A couple weeks ago, I took a pretty bad fall on my training trip and I injured my right knee. I was not able to go to the doctor until a couple days ago. The doctor made some physical tests on my knee, and we realized that I tore my ACL on my right knee. I want to invite you to pray with me for God’s guidance and provision. Also you can pray for quick recovery time, so I won’t miss out a lot of what is left of my internship here at Camp. I would really appreciate your prayers.

During the last couple weeks I’ve been having a great time with God. Even though I injured my knee, God has been reminding me about his care, faithfulness, and his love for me. I have been able to find contentment and peace in this situation. I was reading my Bible in Psalm 91, and God used that passage to encourage me even though the circumstances seemed to be bad. I want you to know that God is our only hope; God is more than enough for us. It was in Him were I found peace, I don’t need anything else, He is my everything.

Here is Psalm 91:
Say this: "GOD, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because GOD's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"
(MSG)

This is the final stretch in my internship at Camp Forest Springs. I have four more months in the Northwoods, and from here I will go to Omaha to FINALLY graduate from college! I’m hoping and praying that my family can make it up here so I can show them around the places that God has been using to work in my life and where He has shown me a little glimpse of our future ministry in Guadalajara.

I’m sending you a big hug! May this year be a time were you can get to know God in a deeper way, and may it be a year where you can fall in love with Him like you have never experienced before! I hope to hear from you! May our God bless you!!