i will not live too safely …

...growing up I missed out on countless opportunities, allowing the world to pass me by as I sat on the sidelines frozen by fear.  It was impossible for God to let me experience the thrill of  seeing him work through me because I rarely gave him the opportunity.  Since I have dared to  jump out of my comfort zone I have never experienced so much life! GAH!!! I am so grateful to be here!!!

That being said lets review the past couple weeks:

“kayla every time i see you, you are more fat …” (yes this was said to me)

i got sick …again! – but this time only for 2 days

focusing too much on the tangible aspects of ministry instead of the relational

All these things were not making me feel too good.  So the other day tired of feeling tired and mopey, allowing worldly things to affect my mood, I was walking to my bus stop and i think to myself “Ewww I feel disgusting” – but instead of wallowing I say to God “God I'm not even going to think about how little energy I feel I have today for I know that YOU have all the energy that I need so I will instead focus on YOU and serving YOU to the best of my abilities for I know that my strength lies in YOU.” After I chuckled to myself as I knew my disgustingness had no chance muahaha! God has been drilling into me the necessity of depending on Him for everything, nothing is too big or too small!

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16.11

PRAISE  I have to go to Nicaragua next weekend (24-27th) and until Thursday I was hitting it up solo yet again, not so ideal.  As big as my muscles are I’m not sure how bullet proof they are… But my Dad can now sleep peacefully because not only do I have a partner in crime BUT through my delightful curling connections I have a wonderful house to stay at – for free!!! AND if that wasn’t amazing enough we do not even  have to hunt down the house because the lady who stays there is coming to pick us up from the bus stop! What a guy this Jesus character eh?!

I am a proud auntie!!! My friend Jenn survived birthing her first toddler at 9lbs 3 ounces!

I’ve also decided to redefine the word fat –in Spanish ‘gorda’  so that next time it’s thrown out – and we know it will be. I won’t feel like jabba the hut (haha yeeeaah that was a star wars reference).

G= gifted hugger

O= open ears for listening

R= reeeally cool, I mean reeeeallly

D= diabolically delightful dancer

A= alarmingly amAzing                                                                 ….I am humble, I swear

PRAYER  I have been very blessed with strong friendships and many people are very comfortable opening up with me.  The past few weeks I have learned things that have made me very sad, aka time to pray.  As these things were said to me in confidence I will not use names:

• A friend of mine informed me that he has walked away from the Lord because he doesn’t feel he is important to God and doesn’t understand why people serve God or do things just because they love Jesus.  I was heartbroken; later I learned he is engulfed in pornography and promiscuity.  I made sure he knew that Jesus and I would love  him no matter what he’s done.  He let me pray for him – yay! Please pray with me that God will seduce his heart so the Holy Spirit can infiltrate.  The most encouraging part of our conversation was when he told me  “the door is shut, but not locked” – he was very adamant that it wasn’t locked!
• Another friend was attacked last weekend, she is doing well; she’s actually in very good spirits – no physical injuries!  Please pray for her protection (she’s been threatened numerous times) and that God will continue to strengthen her daily.  She reminds me very much of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. How she was ashamed to be around the community because of her lifestyle but after meeting Jesus she unashamedly rejoiced and opened the eyes and hearts of many.  I’m so lucky to have such cool friends!
• My prayer for myself and the other leaders of New Horizons is:
  “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” -Ephesians 4.1-7

jealous of my mad indoor soccer skills some of the boys confused me for a towel and decided to wipe their nasty sweat all over my arms and shirt ….eau de teenage boy = ewww!

february…in 5 minutes

The Lord will sustain [her] on [her] sickbed and restore [her].    _{Psalm 41.3}

love is a 3 letter word…

Happy belated Valentines Day!  I didn’t get into too much trouble – me and Jesus celebrated in style, we had a wonderful dinner with my family and one of my students gave me a box of chocolate flowers accompanied with a little note she wrote telling me how happy and grateful she was that i was here – I'm so spoiled!

Not gona lie February has been rough.  I have been quite sick for the majority of this month – hence the lack of updating.  I was completely out of commission the second week of February and was not able to start my classes on time or, for that matter, leave my bed.  I did see a doctor and was put on medications for a serious flu and a mystery virus – we don’t need to hit anymore details.  Case in point God is faithful and I’m now able to walk to bus stop without needing a nap!  This time of illness was really difficult for me, not only just the physical part of being sick but emotionally it was completely draining.  I felt very alone and struggled to find joy in anything.  Then one morning in my devotional it mentioned how some of the sweetest times people have had with God have been in jail cells or sick beds…I started to not focus on my lack of energy or how sad and lonely it was being quarantined in my room but instead started investing some solid time in the word – trying to make God the center of all my thoughts and i came across this doosy:

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast” – 1 Peter 5.10

This has been incredibly encouraging, sickness is inevitable and its comforting to know that no matter what happens to me God sees it all and he’s got it ALL under control.

PRAISE   So my classes have started! I currently have 1 student who is able to make it to our scheduled English class (Tuesday/Friday, 2-4). But have 4 others whom I tutor individually.  The computer class is run on Thursdays from 2-4 and the lab is open for drop in on Tuesdays. While the feedback is slow right now I am confident and optimistic, word will get out and then we will have to figure out a way to accommodate the plethora of kids who are going to swarm our way!

Also today, I ran into my friend Mikael and he had a fancy looking paper in his hand…so of course I snooped and discovered that is was his high school diploma!!! This is SO exciting we danced around with complete delight – well I danced and he looked at me like I was absolutely ridiculous but still YAY!!!

PRAYER   There is a HUGE need for some serious prayer down here right now…to choose one word- well two words “gong show” I think explains it the best:

• So the week that I was sick one of the girls at The Refuge, Angie,  attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. She did not succeed, and is currently in the hospital.  They had to amputate her foot as her ankle was too badly shattered to repair.  Aside from the physical healing please pray that God would really speak to her – it’s a miracle that she is alive!  Pray that she would recognize how much she is loved and special she is. 
• For a burst of energy, patience, and grace to cover all the leaders and volunteers in New Horizons. There seems to be a sense of discouragement and confusion due to miscommunication. That we would be united and working towards the same goal – witnessing Christ’s love to the youth of La Carpio.
• We have had two more of our cement blocks in our fence kicked down (which if you saw this fence..is a feat).  This needs to be addressed otherwise we will have no way of regulating who enters the property (aka the only open space in all of Carpio) it’s just scary to think about…
• And of course the regulars: my health, spanish, and a big ‘ol dose of wisdom – with all this craziness i need the trifecta more than ever!

oooh valentines dinner…YUM!

God = love

january…in 5 minutes!!!

so january has been so wonderful,  i have a huge list of things that i am thankful for and a ton of experiences that  i wouldn’t trade for all the swedish berries in canada!

let the little children come to me…

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

i feel like a little child who has just found out that they are getting a swimming pool of candy that never runs out!  I am SO completely overcome with delight!  I LOVE what God is doing in my life, I LOVE the people he’s connecting me with, I LOVE that he loves me so much and i can’t screw it up…GAAAH!!!! i don’t even know how to explain everything that has been happening with me these past few weeks…

…God has been at work!  He’s really working on my trust factor – i mean of course i trust him but we’re working on trusting when he’s only given me a teeny tiny morsel of what is to come.  Just enough to know that something awesome is going to happen, but not enough to know what it is or how its going to be put into action…what a guy!  It’s definitely tricky but each time i feel needy i take a gander at Philippians 4:6-7

“Don’t be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Present your requests to God.  And the peace of God with transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” 

PRAISE! Okay so as we know there is a computer lab at new horizons where i am going to be teaching computer classes.  So i get here and realize, “hmm problem you don’t really know HOW to teach computer classes”  so i start praying for some knowledge and maybe like 2 days later i meet this guy who informs me that he knows a guy who not only is like a computer brainiac but he is looking for a computer lab to pimp out AND he is able and wanting to teach the boys how to assemble and fix computers, which is totally prime as most of the computers in the community are not up to par!  i mean excuse me Jesus but are you for serious you want to give me a helper AND provide a way to train boys for prime job opportunities!?!  So all this guy needs is the green light from the sponsoring church; i started praying for said light and wouldn’t you know but the next day i find out that he’s got it. So we’re getting new computers, a smarty pants instructor, AND the boys are going to be learning some seriously prime skills!!!

AAAH!  So the other day i was waiting for a friend in this park that has a little duck pond.  I had found this super prime spot right beside the water on a rock under a little tree and was having a delightful time watching the fish jump and the ducks..ducking around (doing duck things).  So as I'm sitting there this little girl comes by pulling her mom, she was completely entranced with the water and her mom was kind of freaking out because this little girl had no fear and was right on the edge.  So i figured i would help the mom a little…so i say to the little girl “do you like the ducks and the fish in the water” “YES!” she says..then i put my serious face on “well you had better be careful not to fall in because the fish in this pond EAT little girls and boys!” Her eyes got real wide and she backed away from the water and decided to sit on the ground beside my rock.  Then a few minutes later her little brother  comes running over grabs a random feather wriggles his way into my lap and starts to tickle me with said feather (he was so awesome!)…by the time my friend finds me i have 2 children at my feet (their cousin also came over) and 1 in my lap..i for serious felt like Jesus – come to me children.  As i left i felt the power of God’s love affirmed in me, these kids were so innocent (I'm sure their mothers wouldn’t completely agree , but still) and trusting, they didn’t know me at all and yet they threw themselves at me…it was like God showing me “Kayla this is how you love…”

i also got to help a little girl in my small group at kids club ask Jesus into her heart the week before last…it was soooo awesome, i don’t think I've ever done it before.  It felt so natural,  i prayed and her and her cousin repeated, it was uber prime!  For 2 weeks now I've been a small group helper and for 2 weeks the girls kind of fight over who gets to be in my group – i feel so popular!  They don`t even care that my spanish is ridiculously awful, in fact last week we finished our devotional time a little early the girls were like “kayla why don’t you read us the passage again so that we can remember and you can practice your spanish!”  i mean are you kidding me? they are seriously delightful! aaah I'm so blessed!

PRAYER!  So i would be so grateful if everyone could throw out some prayers for:

.my spanish to increase.

..for the Holy Spirit to crash down and completely envelope the community of La Carpio with God’s never ending and all consuming love..

…for my english syllabus– I'm having a brain block on how to attack these classes…

 

it was my friend Joann’s 15th birthday…SO after telling him the day before that i wouldn’t have enough time to make him a cake (as i had forgotten when his birthday was – i know shame on me)… i surprised him by actually making one and sneak attacking him with it!  he he…I'm so sneaky!

  

…he was pretty delighted..success!!!

the seed i've received i will sow

Oh friends what a life i have in Jesus!  So last friday i moved into my new home…scratch that my new palace.  This place is amAzing its more than i could have ever dreamed of!  Jesus has heard our prayers and answered every single one but he’s given me the fancy pants version of everything!  I made a list of things that i am especially grateful for in this house:

    - i have hot water            - a closet        - a desk (I'm able to be organized)   

       - a door which goes along with my VERY OWN room!  

 - i have a little lamp by my bed, which is also home to my 2 pillows! AND my blanket that fits me

            - i able to pick my portions and the food is healthier

- the spider situation was over exaggerated (haha mostly by my own paranoia but still) and i should have no troubles

  - not to mention the fact that this family is so unbelievably prime..seriously top notch!  i have privacy, encouraging spanish tutors, spiritual leaders…honestly i don’t think there is a better situation for me

It is wicked awesome here…if there is one downside though it’s that the stairs and balcony have no railings, a bit of a safety hazard for our clumsy kayla…BUT instead of seeing it as danger I've decided to use it to help me continue my faith walk…each day i am trusting Jesus to not let me fall!

God has really been speaking to me about trusting in him no matter what…he WILL take care of me..and i have daily proof each time i wake up, walk through my front door, or sit down for a meal with my new family. 

“For nothing is impossible for God” Luke 1:37

I'm white?...happy new year :)

So i have been in Costa Rica now for 4 and a half days but it feels like I've been here for so much longer.  Me, along with all my luggage arrived on time without being hassled or broken.  Once picked up from the airport i was informed that my host family was in the states so i couldn't go directly to their house so i am temporarily placed in another home, which has actually worked out quite well.  There are some other missionaries here so as it is still holiday time i have some people to visit with.

Wednesday was my first day back in Carpio, everything is pretty much closed right now due to the holidays so i was able to just meander around visiting friends and taking in the delight that is Carpio.  Things that i had forgotten and was reminded of during these past few days: Latin's do not always keep their word (a friend of mine was supposed to come visit, after not showing up we tracked him down at his house, to discover that he had no excuse other than he couldn't come so he stayed home *insert eye roll here haha), that in Latin America many girls leave the house and forget half their outfits in the closet, i also found out from a LOT of people that i am white...who knew!?!

Last night I rung in the new year Carpio style - massive amounts of fireworks.  It was so crazy to look down the street and just see huge fires and hoards of people.  Was it an extreme safety hazard? Probably.  Was it super fun? YES!  After the fire departments nightmare we went back in the house and i was stuffed full of yummy yummy food like barbequed pork *excuse me while i wipe up my drool mmmm it was soo good!

So with the new year all started it is now time to focus on camp which is coming up on the 4th, i don't think there are any words which could describe how excited i am for camp...not only will i get to see SO many friends BUT its like a 4 day slumber party and who can honestly say that they don't love slumber parties?! no one!  So that is coming up then once back from camp i should be moving into my house, which i have heard is also home to many gigantic spiders so on that note I've created a little list of prayer requests:
1) I've been battling sickness and would be so delighted if i didn't have to anymore, so being healthy and more energetic would be nice

     2) Protection from the 8 legged beasts which are roaming about in my living area

  3) Wisdom, grace, and patience.                       4) and of course for my Spanish to improve :)

Lastly, it wouldn't be new years without a resolution...           

 

                                     ....therefore, this year i am going  to be more hardcore.....

 

Wednesday the 28....WAIT!?!? NO TUESDAY!!!!!

So I am here sitting in the Minnesota airport waiting for my plane and have just received so much grace and protection.  Okay so as of yesterday up until about 7 pm I was foolishly under the impression that my flight was not until Wednesday at 6.25 am...HOWEVER, around 7 pm realized that my flight was not Wednesday it was in fact TUESDAY.  Now after figuring this out I realized that I am stupid and then panicked a little as the home where I was staying was at least 2 hours away and we had already made a game plan ..needless to say that plan was shot.  Fortunately, the previous few days I have had random amounts of free time and was pretty much already packed up and ready to go.  Thank the Lord!  So I packed up all my bags and needed to weigh them to ensure that I wouldn't be charged extra.  However, there were no scales! Not at our house OR the neighbours!  So remembering that God is bigger than weight I reminded myself of a story my friend Heather told me about one time when her bag was 20lbs over weight but she was neither charged or hassled due to some serious prayer.  So I started praying that my bags would be acceptable...

NOW is when the exciting part happens AAAAHH! Okay so I was never able to weigh my bags and was waiting in line to check in - the whole time just praying for my bags - that they would arrive with me in San Jose, Costa Rica in one piece and not having to pay any fees ( i detest fees).  I had already seen in my online check in that I was going to need to pay for at least one of my bags, but i kept praying the same thing over and over.  So I get to the counter and firstly, my guy is delightful and very helpful...so he punches in my information and says "Okay so you will need to pay for your extra bag $30, would you like to pay credit, debit, or cash" and my  first instinct is always credit...but this time I felt God saying "No pay cash" so I grab my cash and only had $40 so I ask him if he had change..he takes my money and then after being informed that they don't have change looks and my and i quote "Well I didn't get you a Christmas present this year so...here you go" AND HANDS ME BACK MY $40!!! Then they tag my bags - WITHOUT weighing them and tell me to have a good trip! SO PRIME!!!  Customs was also a breeze, after getting in trouble for putting my sweater in the same bin as my laptop.  I walked away with a huge grin, "Oh Jesus you just love me so much, you care that I don't get hassled by airport security, you care that i don't miss my flights, you care that my tummy is rumbly and don't want me to suffer"  for serious, I know I say it ALL the time but I AM blessed!

So to summarize, Minnesota is filled with wonderful super prime people who I will miss dearly but know that we will be reunited once again, I need to learn to read better, and Jesus loves me more than I can comprehend.

Oh man...TOMORROW I will be reunited with so many friends, all gifts from God....what a Christmas!

marvellous Minnesota

Aaaah so I've have been in Minnesota for a  little over a week now and it has been completely delightful.  Leaving home was difficult, as everything was hitting me all at the same time "you won't see this person....FOR A  YEAR!" haha and if I wasn't already thinking it they were telling me "Oh Kayla....I won't see you for so long" needless to say a new lake has formed near the Chandler home. 

All my flights went very smoothly, I didn't even have to pay for any of my bags - much to the dismay of the bag checking man who was very concerned and interested in "why don't YOU have to pay"  to which he received  a shrug and smile...then went on my way with a little pep in my step (I was excited because the bag cost was something that I had been stressing about, but of course Jesus was like 'Oh Kayla you are so silly, don't you know that I control bag checks too!' - so prime

My first 4-5 days were completely non-stop as we had a hitchin' (wedding) to set up, do, and take down.  It was such a wonderful time, I've met so may delightful people and had some extremely prime conversations.  I'm staying with my friend's family and have adopted them as my own, coming from a family of just one brother its so fun to have 3 new sisters and 2 new brothers.

 
Since being here God has given me a complete and overflowing peace...this is exactly where I am supposed to be right now.  I am blessed beyond measure.  The other day my friends mom Melody shared something with me and I really liked it so I will pass along the joy...

  Reflecting on her newly married daughter she explained to me that every time something significant happens in our lives our names change

    * When we are born our parents give us a name * when we are born again, the Lord renames us as His beloved * when we get married we receive a new last name (ladies) and are now a husband or wife * when we have a baby we are now a parent.....
   

She closed by saying how God cares about our names and how they are really important to Him.  I couldn't help but leave thinking about my name : Kayla Rae Chandler....beloved, daughter, sister, missionary, student, friend....

I know it shouldn't surprise me but I'm SO overwhelmed by God's love, I am in no way deserving of what I am receiving but hey! I am definitely NOT complaining :)

Megan and I                                                                      My home in Minnesota

hi ho hi ho it's off to work i go...

As I sit here listening to Christmas music and meditating on the reality that in just a short week I will be freezing all my appendages off in arcticesque Minnesota.  I can't help but be reminded of how much grace and favour God has placed upon my life.  Today, actually, I was presented with a situation which really stirred up my insides, while trying to make sense of it I realized how incredibly important it is to constantly be on guard.  There are so many things out in the world which are trying to undermine God's will and discredit the work of His people.  I am so delighted that I am going to be able to help spread awareness and serve as a witness on a larger scale.  God has given me a lot and now is my time to use the gifts and knowledge that he has graced me with and use it to further His kingdom!

I just want to express my gratitude to everyone who has stood and is standing behind me.  It's so affirming to know that I have so much support here at home, and while I know there will be hard times and I will miss my life here (especially during those cold showers)  there's work to be done!!!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight.  O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" - Psalms 19:14