i'm sorry!

…this may be a bit long, but i threw in quite a few pictures so hopefully you don’t run away!








 

…I also apologize for not having updated since my arrival…2 weeks ago!!! My flight down was quite laid back, for the most part relaxed aside from the excitement – i think i mentioned before that i was on the brink of tears at one point.  Anywhooo, leaving Guatemala was a cinch I had no issues.  I even ended up making a friend on my flight. It was her first flight ever and she was freaking out a bit (we did not have the smoothest take off); so I offered her my hand at which she pounced , i mean the Lord blessed me with some pretty soft ones so who could blame her!  Unfortunately, the flight was not completely issue free, when we got to Costa Rica we learned the airport was closed and were not allowed to land, so we flew out to the beach did a lap and by the time we came back (about 20ish minutes later) we were able to touch down. Everything arrived safely including myself and aside from my firm and intimidating  guard I had no issues.

I was scooped up from the airport by two members of our Central America Team (Lukas and William) and we spent 2-ish lovely hours (It should have only taken 40 minutes tops) enjoying rush hour traffic!  William and his family have been kind enough to let me stay with them.  Oddly enough, I've been here 2 weeks and while i have enjoyed quite a few tamales (*drool aaaaah i love them!) I have yet to consume some authentic gallo pinto (which really isn’t a big deal as i make my own at home haha but it’s not the same!)  as William is Colombian and his wife, Nadia, is Swiss.  So I've been learning a lot about their cultures as well!  In fact the first Friday i was here was their daughter, Kenya’s birthday!  She turned 6 and it was a so fun!  We had a piñata, cake, presents, and a fiesta wouldn’t be complete without ….…Colombian  hotdogs!!!  What are Colombian hotdogs you say??? WELL let me tell you…they are your generic hotdog smothered in BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, repollo (cabbage), pineapple and topped off with crushed potato chips!  I had 2 and a half…or maybe 3…now i can’t remember.

Okay so where does that put us…travel- check….food and home- check, ah work! The reason for the season!  Yes I am excited about my new role (Short Term Coordinator)  I have my very first Strider (short term missionary) coming in next week on the 19th – Ruth!  She will be my guinea pig and she will be mine…and she will be my guinea pig – sorry i watched Finding Nemo the other night :) such a fun movie. Focus Kayla!  Okay so she’s coming and hopefully I will not scare her!  Maybe set aside some time to pray for her too!

There has been a lot of writing let’s take a break for some pictures:

I have been able to see a lot of my friends from Carpio quite a few times already…what we have here is some evidence of attempted sweater stealing, an unconventional “ladder” and the reality that I've got some pretty delightful friends (it should be noted i haven’t snagged too many pictures …too busy having fun and getting all my hugs in!)….

I have no photographic proof BUT the other day i was walking through San Jose and someone grabbed me from behind…..I KNOW!!!! … i froze (I’ve always hoped/expected that I'd go all kung foo kayla on an attacker and they would seriously regret trying to take me on, i was kind of disappointed in myself just freezing, like some sort of pansy) and then out of nowhere popped two girls from my soccer team (the one i coached when i was here in 2011), one of whom has moved to the most southern part of Costa Rica and I wasn’t even sure I would be able to see her for sometime!  I was excited but also let them know, i carry pepper spray and they could have died if i had unleashed kung foo kayla on them!  But i didn’t attack because i subconsciously knew it was them…haha, yeah, they didn’t buy that either…heehee either way it was a wonderful, yet almost-pee-my-pants scary, moment!

I think i better start to wrap up here as you probably stopped reading like 6 paragraphs ago…oH but wait – i also went to an orchid conservatory!  Here are some pictures of what i spotted!

As well, because people are always asking, I downloaded a weather app so i can answer your weather questions if/when you have them!

Okay lets finish up here, you’re a busy lady or man with things to do!
Praise- reunited with many friends - God’s amazing faithfulness and love for me, for serious, He’s got a real thing for me, it’s awesome!
- LL team
- trip to Lankester Gardens (the orchid place)
- living situation
- I got to skype with GrandmaChan the other night…aaaand it was awesome.  I made her jello salad for William and the fam – #success!

Prayer requests- For my Spanish, that i will wake up fluent!  Or at least for me to pick up idioms really quick and have exceptional grammar and be understood by all! 
- I’ve got some culture shock going on so pray that my transitions will be smooth and that i will be able to see people and situations through God’s eyes and be able to show more patience and grace to those around me.
- That i will be awesome in my new role and will not scare Ruth, but instead give her the tools she needs to succeed and get the best out of this experience!
- Physical and Spiritual health, pray that i would have an overwhelming sense of The Lord being with me in each moment
- Living situation- that everything will work out and this will be a great learning experience and I will walk away with a better understanding of how i work on my own.  As well, for a delightful, safe place to turn up (ideally 2 bedroom and under budget!) before i become homeless again in the new year!
I feel like i could go on for quite sometime, but do not worry! I will not :) Instead i will say thank you for taking the time to see what I've been up to, If you have made it this far, Congratulations!!! I’m so proud of you! If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them or shoot me an email!  Do not be nervous, i promise i don't  rarely bite!  :)

T- minus 1 HOUR!!!!

OH MY it..is….happening!!! In one hour I will be, Lord willing, leaving for the airport to get myself onto a flight to mi Costa Rica!!!!!! To give you a taste of where I'm currently at , I'm border line in tears I’m SO excited!
I will keep this short – as i have to go get dressed and for the millionth time make sure I haven’t forgotten anything!  If you have a chance and could throw a shout out to the Big Guy for me that would be awesome, I’m trusting for:

1.  a smooth issue-free journey, which includes all my luggage safely accompanying me (in one piece) to the land of gallo pinto!!!!

OH  MY GOODNESS!!!! eeeeeeee!!!!!!..okay pull yourself together chandler!

2.  eeeeeeeek!!!!! okay i can’t do it anymore…too pumped I must go and bask in the joy!!!

G-U-A-T-E-MALA!!!

Yep, I sang that out…I would recommend that you do the same!
I am finally here in Guatemala, I’ve technically been here for two days (I arrived Thursday morning).  I had no issues at the airport – with the exception of being forced to pay $150 to check one of my carry on bags at LAX.  That was the only bump in what was otherwise a smooth journey!  God is very good!

I am now settled in my home for the next 6 weeks, granted we (Brigitte and I) will be spending quite a few nights away visiting other projects.  Brigitte is doing the same training I am doing, however, she will be serving in Bolivia.  We just arrived home actually after spending the night with one of our STEP teams that are here from Great Brittan.  For those of you asking…“Kayla…what’s a STEP team??”  That is the term we use to describe the groups that come for anywhere from 3 weeks – 4 months.  It was pretty fun meeting so many new people – all of whom had lovely accents!  Oddly enough they seemed to think that I had an equally delightful accent eh…
So far everything has been great, my roomies are delightful, and actually, the weather is pretty much the same here as it is in Vancouver right now.  Except here there are heavy afternoon thundershowers.  We got stuck in one yesterday and had to dodge hail while trying not to fall into the flooded streets- it was pretty fun!
Prayer requests:
Aside from the usual safety, Spanish comprehension and health it would be awesome if you could pray that I would be able to fully soak up all the wisdom and knowledge of my profe Suzanne!  We are going to be very busy and I want to retain as much of the information I am learning as possible.

muchisma gracias!!!

OH MY! What a successful night!  I can hardly even believe it but our grand total (before taking away the money to cover the expenses) came to over $2100!!!!! amAZING!!! I’m so blessed! I know I say it all the time and it is totally true every single time!  Do you know how great the God I serve is!?! Let me tell you, I walked into the fundraiser trusting it would be awesome, figuring maybe we’d break a little over even but that the evening would still be fun and a great way to create awareness and it totally was!  The bowling alley ended up giving me an even better deal on the lanes as well ($100 LESS than anticipated!)  If you are in the market for an alley Lucky Strike in New Westminster is a great option!

Our big winners of the evening with the highest and lowest scores of the night!

LOVE BOWLING?! LOVE KAYLA?!

Even if you only love just bowling JUNE 23 is going to be a great night, YES! It’s that time!  Time for my fundraiser!!!! HUZZAH!   I am pre-selling tickets and would love to hear from YOU! 

The proceeds will be going towards my ministry in Costa Rica. 

Update Newsletter

 Hey Hey Family and friends, below is my April newsletter, enjoy!
 


Dear Friends and family,
Round Two!!! Some of you may know that, in early February, I did not get to attend the conference in Ecuador. I made it all the way to their airport but was denied entry because my passport did not have a sufficient number of months left before it expired. Therefore, immigration immediately deported me back to Canada (after a 13 hour layover in Texas!). It was not my favourite travel experience and I was sad to miss out on meeting my soon-to-be coworkers. However, God taught me a lot during that time and I can safely say I am wiser and better for it!
Since being back on Canadian soil I have been simply working, volunteering with the youth group at church and trying to figure out the legalities and navigating the paperwork one needs to organize before leaving the country. Above all I am thoroughly enjoying my last few months up here, trying to soak in as much as possible – despite the cold!
PRAYERS – aside from the usual- Spanish comprehension, safety, and health (physical and spiritual):

For my finances, this is a volunteer position and I am required to raise support (roughly $28,000/year). I am required to have at least enough to cover my initial 3 months before I am allowed to depart. Currently LAM has received about 7% of that goal. I still need a little over $6400 before I will be allowed to leave. Please pray that my budget would be reached so I may leave in early July as planned.

If you are considering becoming a financial partner, donations are tax deductible in both Canada and the US and you may do so either through the attached reply card or online (Canadians: www.lamcanada.ca or Americans: www.uwm.org).

  WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING DOWN THERE?

In cooperation with team leaders I will be responsible for the care, selection, preparation and debrief of short term missionaries. This includes promoting and developing short term programs. As well, I will be looking for another ministry project similar to what I had previously done in La Carpio, Costa Rica - working and getting connected within a community!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and support me, be it prayerfully, financially or both! I am very excited about what is to come! For more information or if you have any questions please contact me, I would love to chat!
Kayla Chandler
 
This is the link to the original newsletter, if needed:
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=ECA537FEC56F70D5!398&authkey=!ADVskZBAhc9uBTQ&ithint=file%2c.doc

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!

PEOPLE!!!! I have just gotten of the phone with an angel! The United representative just called me to give me WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!! (which I am not allowed to disclose, that’s how sweet it is!)

Ah!!! GOD IS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!! For serious SO good!  I heard nothing but groans when i said i was dealing with United.  Honestly, the beginning of the conversation I thought the rep was going to just say “sorry, you screwed yourself”.  She gave me the low down of how it’s my job to have my passport prepared etc etc. Which i admit it is, so then she asked me to explain to her what happened and then she cut me off  midway, when i was saying that it was my fault too, to say SUPER CONFIDENTIAL AWESOMENESS!!!!!! PRAYER WORKS!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!!!!

lesson learned: the hard way

There’s nothing like spending an entire day in and out of airplanes, airports, customs, etc. etc. only to be rejected at the final destination.  I left home yesterday morning at 4 am to get to YVR for my 6:30 flight.  At check in, I had no problems and was sent right through.  My connecting flight in Denver – same deal, open door.  Houston – same.  After 19 hours of travel i finally reached Quito, Ecuador only to be told by their immigration officers that my passport expires about 2 months too early (i have about 4.5 months left and you apparently need to have 6 months and they didn’t care that i was only staying for 9 days and had a flight out booked).  Now I had heard about this rule right before I left and had called the Ambassador of Ecuador (in Canada) and my airline to enquire if this was legit.  I was told by both that I should have no problem.  So once I cleared my first gate I figured I was in.  I explained this to multiple guards numerous times (in Spanish and English) with no success, they immediately sent me on a 6 hour flight back to Houston (30 minutes after arriving).
During this time i wish i could say i handled myself gracefully, however, after 3 flights, minimal food consumption, combined with extreme exhaustion and frustration i was a sprinkler – if sprinklers turn red, get all puffy faced and sob uncontrollably in front of hundreds of strangers, HA! not my best moment!

But you know, once i got back on the plane (and yes i was escorted  like a criminal) i sat down in my seat, cried some more and then decided that it was time to process and get some comfort from the Big Guy and He did not disappoint, whipping out some of my favourite verses:

“Be joyful always [even when you are deported], pray continually [especially when you are distraught], give thanks in all circumstances [even when you look so awful that even your mom would think twice about acknowledging you in public], for THIS is God’s will for you [Kayla] in Christ Jesus”
                                                                                  – 1 Thessalonians 5:16

“[Kayla], Reflect on what I am saying for the Lord will give you insight into all this” 
- 2 Timothy 3:7

“Consider it pure joy, [Kayla], whenever you face trials of many kinds.  Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything” 
                                                                           – James 1:2-4  (After this one i told God that i would rather be in Ecuador than mature…)

“Blessed is [Kayla] for she perseveres under trial, when [she] has stood the test, [she] will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” – James 1:12

My biggest regret was not dealing with my passport sooner and the pain came from feeling 100% guilty knowing i could have prevented it had i prepared sooner.  However, during my 13 hour layover in Houston today (yes, 13! I got in at 5:30am and did not leave until 6:30 pm) I had time to reflect and realized that while i could have checked the requirements sooner and yes i could have just renewed my passport earlier – hindsight is always 20/20.  I had investigated the timeline and been informed that i should have had zero problems as i was leaving well before my passport expired.  I was misinformed.  Now I guess most people would maybe be angry at God “why did this happen” etc. etc. But that maybe crossed my mind for a millisecond, God is able to move mountains and if i was supposed to get in i would have.  I no longer see myself as a foolish, incompetent, estupida  and do not see this situation as a complete failure – it is a learning experience! I tend to learn things best when i fail/make mistakes. I know that God is for me and will use this experience to better me, it was not a waste of time!

***

The reality of being denied at immigration pierced me so profoundly I am compelled to share.  On my way back to the plane it occurred to me, this rejection will happen one day to those who pass away without accepting Jesus Christ into their lives!

People are going to go thinking “i was a good person, i did nice things” and expect to be going to Heaven.  Then they will get to the gate and will be told “I'm sorry you cannot come in, you don’t have the needed requirements” and they will reply (like i did at immigration):

“well i was told that if i was nice and didn’t murder anyone i would go to heaven”

But that won’t matter!  The problem will be:
“Did you believe that Jesus Christ died for you to pay for your sins?” 
                                                                     (does your passport have 6 months on it?)
                    “Did you accept Him as your Lord and Saviour?”

That’s all you needed to do!!!
It’s so easy, so simple, aaaaah!!!! SO awesome!!! “Dear Jesus, I am a sinner, that is lame but I believe that you died for me and paid the price for all my sins (past, present and future), I think you’re the cats meow, lets be friend forever! Amen”

Its pains my heart; some of you who will read this do not believe in God, that is your prerogative and i do not agree with forcing my beliefs on to you.  But please know that i pray for you and am grieved every time i think about the reality that you could get to immigration and be sent away!  I love you, and want to party with you forevah and evah!!! (yes i did just break out into song in my head)

 

Lastly, I do have prayer requests:

• Today i spoke with the airline representative at the airport and she informed me that i should not have been let onto any of the planes (they should have all known better) and therefore she explained that the company had failed me (not just once but 4 times) and advised me to call tomorrow and see what the airline will do for me to amend the situation.  So please pray that I get a sweet deal!
• That God will show up big time for me and that the reason for my needing to be here will be revealed
• For blessings to all the people i interacted with yesterday and today, God really blessed me with my plane neighbours i had a lovely woman on my first flight, Dee, she was very positive and energetic (good for a 6:30 am flight).  My second flight was a guy who used to fly planes for mission organizations in Africa and the Middle East, my third flight i did not have a chatty neighbour (she just drank haha), thankfully on my flight back to Houston i was alone in the row (if i had had a neighbour they most likely would have drowned in my tears) and then on my last flight I had Rob, who was excellent! He gave me some tips about passport stuff, bought me a little bottle of wine (he said i deserved it after my journey) AND it even turned out we had mutual connections,he is friends with a guy i used to work! There were many others but i didn’t get everyone’s names, the point is while it seems silly to think I spent the past 2 days riding airplanes, i got to meet a lot of people and only God knows the affects of those interactions.
• For those who will read this and decide, “HEY! that Jesus guy is for me!!!” Pray they are able to get connected with a legit life group/church!

Okay I think that’s enough, sorry for the essay but I've had a lot of time to think :) If you made it this far CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You win a hug* the next time i see you!

*disclaimer, you will need to initiate said hug

yep, this is happening!

 

Well friends, with the new year comes another adventure, I am excited to finally announce that I will be on the move this year!

 WHAT IS GOING ON ?!?!!?  <— click here

 

Please contact me if you would like to say “hi” and/or receive a prayer card packet. Then I can mail it or perhaps even hand deliver!  Prayer is going to be the biggest factor here and I would greatly appreciate some back up!  Oh man!  Who’s getting excited!?!!

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”        

-  Ephesians 6:18

*If you would like to support financially see the side bar under “Want to support Kayla” OR *click here*

the white man

It struck me today while i was out walking; Stop lights!!!

So you’re walking, at a good pace, you tap that button and bam up pops the white man and you continue on your way without missing a beat. Other times you get to a light and have to wait a couple seconds – gives you enough time to pause, glance around, ponder a Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman moment with the guy in the fancy car to your left – but before you quit your day job and exchange your cute flip flops for some inappropriate thigh high heels the white man jumps up to save the day and you walk on!

AND THEN! There are those times where you want to pull out your hair as you have been waiting for what feels like an eternity!  It is excruciating!  Every light but yours has gone off at least twice, when did all those turn signals appear?! Its as though the orange hand is mocking you “oh you want to walk? HA!  You cannot for I am the Almighty Orange Hand of Pain!” So you continue to stand..and wait, you cry a little – on the inside of course, and start lusting after ‘the other corner’  "Oh that sweet sweet corner, so lush, so dreamy, I bet the guys are cuter on that corner, probably all single, love Jesus, and have a thing for awkward brunettes enamoured with the Latin culture…” but instead you are stuck on THIS corner where all there is is the button and that guy over there picking his nose…

*this was the moment i burst out giggling on the street

  It reminded me of where I am at right now - yes, the corner next to the nose picker! Even before coming back to Canada it has been a given that God will be sending me somewhere or have me involved in something Latin.  I am not picky (unlike my neighbour over there! haha) I will go or stay wherever and have made myself open to whatever the Lord has for me. I’m just waiting for ‘the white man’ to show up. There have been quicker lights and much much slower ones. One being that I have been accepted and as a missionary by an organization called Latin America Mission, Canada and we are currently in the discernment process of where/when I should go, the opportunities etc. While it is hard to wait at times it is also wonderful being here and I am enjoying the many blessings that are available to me.  I feel like if we were to go back to the light analogy I have 2 options:

1) I can wait for the light to change,
       for the white man to come and to be in the will of the Lord
                                                           OR 
2) I can choose to walk anyway, and risk getting hit or going the wrong way

I believe that God has me on this corner waiting for a purpose, He is preparing and maturing  me and while some days it would be wonderful to just pack up, create a spiritualized “calling” from the Lord and head out. I instead choose to wait for the glorious “beep beep….beep beep” of the white man’s unmistakable theme song! It has seemed like many opportunities have come while I have been waiting but the majority do not seem to pan out.  They dissolve so quickly at times I wonder if they ever truly existed. It can get discouraging not to mention frustrating and then the other day I came across a great passage which encompasses this last season I have been in:

“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.”

                                               Habakkuk 3:17-19

I have many things to be grateful for and choose to focus on those, one of which is those of you who continue to pray and support  me, Thank you so much!  I am comforted and blessed knowing that I am not alone. As far as current prayer requests these are a few I have right now:

• It would be great if you could pray that if abroad is where I am to go that an opportunity will come, with my name plastered all over it. Lets go for a clear sign from the big Guy, the bright yellow flashing light kind, that would be ideal!
• I am currently commuting about 2-2.5 hours to and from work each day on top of an 8 hour shift, needless to say I am quite exhausted. I would love for something closer which pays well, offers benefits, and allows me to feel more fulfilled than where I am at the moment.
• To be more focused on the spiritual realm and my relationship with God rather than what I see physically. Fear of the future and all the “what ifs'”  is daunting some days, while I know I am secure and that I am in good hands I do get overwhelmed with all the unknowns.