Yo Yo, how's it going? I have got just a few words of update for my blog today, one cool story, and I will end with a poem. Sound good? I think so. 

First off, along with my VBS ministry in the Barrios, we walk around the community with the Pastor's wife of the "Light of the World" Church and invite the community to come pray for Granada with us. All I do is follow Maria and present my bright blonde hair and smile and nod, sometimes saying, "Buenos dias" or "you are the coolest person I have ever met." Last Tuesday, God met those who came, about twelve adults, and Laura, Caleb, Mario, Seth and I, in power. We started off with prayer and worship and then broke up into groups of men and women and prayed for specific needs. I am in awe of how well this time went-there were tears from grown men, one lady was healed, and everyone was vulnerable. Also, two weeks ago we asked for prayer requests and this week during our meetings, Jader stood up and praised God because after looking for a job for a long time, two days after we prayed, he had a job interview and now has a full time job. Praise God!

            Also, I am headed to Costa Rica-Nicaragua shuts down on March 7^th-15^th due to a holiday-so why not go all out? Surfing is definitely in line and I am definitely doing many beach runs. I am going with four other people, J.D Russell, Annie V, Laura O, and Heather King. Leaving the Country will allow us to renew our Visas and rejuvenate. A team of missionaries is coming down in our stead and will carry on the ministries our team is involved in. The trip will be out of pocket except for 30$ given to us for food.  Caleb Spitler and Baker have volunteered to stay back and hold down the fort, what champions.

            The 5k-race is doing well; Mario, the man, translated our proposal into Spanish and Jener, the leader of Young life in Granada, is going to set up a meeting with all the Young Life leaders in Nicaragua so we can get their support too. I will keep you posted-oh a new plan is to have the Worship band from our Church play in the park after the awards ceremony and I think my parents are going to try and bring race prizes when they visit me in April. My Fatha is running, by the way, bringing up the rear no doubt. Ha, just kidding. I expect him to bring back some hardware to Vermont.

Okay, well yesterday I sat down in our prayer house and asked God to speak through me-I wrote these words on paper. Doing this is always an amazing experience. With this poem, it really felt like my soul was reaching out to Jesus. Hurr it is:

The Race:

Your light is what shines from within,

my face responds and complements the song

plucked with the strings of my soul.

Like a faun I jump through your fields,

oblivious to the stalkers with flashing gleams that scream

Danger, Danger.

As a father veils the eyes of his son from crude images,

so my father cloaks my being from these lions.

Father, show me this wardrobe,

one spring day,

you who are worthy of all praise.

Oh, the honey flows through my veins as my Shepherd

beckons me nearer;

Teach me how to run towards my mission,

spreading your name like water spreads itself on the land

after a dam, withholding nutrients in a scorched land,

no longer withstands.

May you break the clogs in my arteries.

May I exhale results of your hands.

Nothing compares to your inspiration,

it is above any words of worldly helpers.

And now my steps quicken,

through a forest of snares,

on the righteous path lined with wool

from a sacrificed lamb.

And onward clothed with righteousness

from your grace I push towards the clearing,

into a sunshine of your splendor

and the smile on your face.

Amen!