Summer in Chicago - Preparing for Year 3!!!!!

Well, I am safely back in Bogota getting ready for the start of my third year serving at El Camino.  While I have spent the past few days meeting some of the new teachers, getting acclimated to all of the construction going on (it's kinda messy at ECA right now!!), and settling back in to life in Colombia, I wanted to send a quick thank you to all of my family and friends who welcomed be back into their lives for the few weeks I was in Chicago this summer.  My time was filled with a few vacations with family, lots of time with my sisters, parents, and nephews, and much time spent catching up with dear friends over coffee, lunch or dinner.  Worshiping at the Orchard Evangelical Free Church and connecting with my sending church was such a blessing.  My heart was encouraged by all who attend there.  My heart was encouraged by what was preached from God's word and were some much needed reminders for me as I reflected on what the Lord had taught me this past year. 

Again, I was blown away at how welcomed and loved I was by everyone I visited and got to see.  I was blown away by your interest in praying for me, for hearing about what the Lord is doing in the hearts of my 3rd Graders, and allowing me to express the lessons and challenges I felt this past year.  Thank you for taking time to still invest in a friendship with me even though I am far away.  A quote I heard from a friend recently said, 

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere.  That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." - Miriam Adeney

While I am learning to navigate what this exactly looks like, I find rest and hope that this earth is not my home.  And as much as I continually look for home to be here on earth with all the people I love, God gently reminds me that one day in heaven I will be rejoicing with all of my brothers and sisters in Christ - from all over the world :-)

Below are some pictures of my time at home.  I hope you know how much I enjoyed getting to see each and every one of you!!!

 Colombian Barbecue Supporter Get-Together 

It was a pleasure sharing some Colombian treats with you while I was home.  Getting to make arepas, patacones, empanadas, and other foods that Colombian typically eat at a barbecue was such a blessing.  Thank you to my amazing family who helped cook and prepare everything!!!

  

Random Pics from vacations and precious time spent with friends and family

Prayers and Praises:
Pray for our new team as we are all getting to know each other and adjusting to life at ECA for this coming year.  That we would bond quickly together and prepare our hearts as a community to serve the students at ECA with the love of Christ.

Construction of the 3rd floor has made some great progress - but it has caused the school to look really messy right now!!  Please continue to pray for smooth and efficient progress, plus safety when the students are back in the building.

Bonding with my two new roommates - Annie and Becky.  That we would have a wonderful year getting to know each other better and encouraging one another as we serve the Lord together here.

Blessings,
Carrie

What we learned this year!! 3rd Grade Student Perspective

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who 

persecute you."     Matthew 5:44

Student Perspective: Here are some wonderful words written by my students about what God has taught them this year and what they really believe about Jesus.  These just melt my heart!!
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"What I've learned from God is to love even if they do bad things to me even if they say bad things of me, I'll ignore them and love my enemies."

"What I've liked of this year is my teacher.  Why?  Because she has been there when I needed her."

"I learned in Bible this year that God loves us even when we do bad things.  Also, that God gets sad when we lie to someone or to him."

"God teach me:  I discovered how he is so amazing and he loves us so much.  He died for us.  I knew that Jesus died for me but I didn't know why.  I can't believe how he can be so patient and loving with us."

"To me, the death of Jesus means that know we can be with him in paradise and he take away our sins.  So we can be with him, even the sinners.  I am happy because I know God and I can trust him."

 "God taught me to be thankful for everything even if you don't like it.  At least say thank-you or no thanks."

"This school year, I have learned a lot about God and one thing is that I have more time with God.  I learned that I need to tell the truth or you can get in more trouble and that I need to be nice with friends.  God saved us from are sins.  If wouldn't send his son, we would be in darkness.  Thanks!!!!"

"Jesus died on the cross for our sins and he loves us and if we believe in God we will be in heaven and have eternal life, but if we reject him we will have condemnation and we will go to hell.  That we deserve death and hell but we receive grace and mercy."

"Here is what I learned this year:  That God always helps me.  God gives me everything I need.  God always loves me and teaches me.  God has a special plan for everyone."

"God teached me and helped me with patience, friendships, and he helped me a lot with my behavior this last part of the year.  Thank you, God!!!"

"God gave us eternal life so we can be with him and believe that he is the mighty king.  He died on the cross to save us from our sins."

"God teach me this in this year that sin came into man, man knew he was naked.  God teach me patience.  I didn't know God killed Jesus.  That was a surprise!!"

"My response to Jesus is I want to know more about him and I feel worried if I do love him like from really inside my heart and I just want that to really happen that I want to have a really good relationship with God.  I do believe he is my Savior, but I am confused between if it is because my parents told me of I really believe it.  His death on the cross means a lot to me.  I want help from God to help me really believe!"

"Jesus died for me and that means to me that he loves that he is my father.  I love him.  He died for me because he didn't wanted to me to have sin.  He didn't wanted me to go to hell.  He didn't wanted me to go with the devil to be so bad, to be someone not to think only of myself but to think about Jesus and what he did for me.  I love him!"

"Jesus died on the cross for me.  For me, Jesus is everything.  I love when he do miracles and how he acts for us.  He acts mercifully and loving.  Sometimes when I feel alone, I discovered that I'm not.  I'm with God and I rest in his arms."

"What it means for me?  It's really important because if he would not die I will be crucified."
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So, my wonderful friends, what do YOU really believe about Jesus??

Prayers/Praises:
There will be a barbeque at my parents house on Saturday, June 14th from 3-6 pm.  There will be some Colombian food to try and an update on ministry at El Camino.  Please e-mail me - carebear3883@gmail.com - if you are interested in coming :-0

Safe travels back to the States on June 7th.  That this summer would be a refreshing time to regain some energy and spend time with family and friends.

Processing all that God is teaching me this year -  that my heart would come to fully know that God is glorified and trustworthy through all the challenging spiritual lessons he has brought my way :-)

Please pray for figuring out why I have been really tired lately - I am seeing some doctors this summer to try and see if it is my thyroid, vitamin D deficiency, or just that ministry and teaching is very tiring :-)

Can't wait to see you VERY soon!!!
Love,
Carrie

Creation Reveals It's Creator :-)

Chapel Songs: Please enjoy these videos of our worship time during elementary chapel.  Click on the two links below.

1. Speak to me, Lord - http://youtu.be/4h1gofzrU7g
2. Trust in the Lord with all your Heart - http://youtu.be/se4xQsXn1G8

Loving God's Creation - We visited a place called BioParque - a natural/biological reserve to help the students learn all about Colombia and the everyday creatures they might encounter.  My students loved being out in God's creation.  The Biological park is set up so that you walk through different areas that are natural habitats for the animals.  There were secure doors you passed through to keep the animals safe inside the designated area.  It was neat to see God's creation up close - including coati, owls, turtles, and many birds.

Watch out for carnivorous plants!

With the end of the year coming up so fast, there are so many things to be done and that are on my mind to finish the year strong.  Feeling a little overwhelmed with everything on my "To Do" list has caused me to be a little stressed and in need of a mental break :-)  As we walked around BioParque, it was so nice to be outside of the busyness of the city life and to take a day away from school to learn in this natural environment.  One my students came up to me and said, "Isn't it nice to be outside, looking at God's creation, and not having to worry about school?"

Worry?? - yup!  I have been doing a lot of that lately :-)  Thanks for the reminder kid to look at God's creation and to just stop in all of the busyness of life and enjoy it!

"Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?   Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?  or What shall we drink?  or What shall we wear?"  For the Gentiles seek after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  

Matthew 6: 25-33

Coati

"WHOOO" can spot the Owl??

Our friend, Tour Guide, the Turtle :-)

What a good reminder from these verses to "Seek First" God's Kingdom and His Righteousness.  When our first love and passion in this life is truly seek out God and His plans, then everything else all of a sudden takes it's rightful place.  There is a burden that is lifted when our eyes are on Our Creator.  Why?  Because we know that He is lovingly taking care of all that he created - including his dearly loved children :-0

Water Party - My "CHAMPS" earned another party!  This time, we decided to play with water.  I had such a good time just enjoying being with my students and getting to "play" with them and get them all drenched :-)  Enjoy some pictures of our fun in the water!!

Slip n' Slide!!!

Getting "drenched" - one of our vocabulary words!!!

Bobbing for Apples

Drip, Drip, SPLASH!!!!!

Prayers/Praises:
Volunteer opportunities at ECA - we would love for you come down!!! -  http://eca.edu.co/get-involved/vacations-with-a-purpose

Please pray for some of my students who feel lonely and are dealing with sadness of their parents separating or fighting a lot.  I only have a few weeks left with them - and I am praying that God would use this time to still work on their hearts.  May they personally find comfort in Jesus in these tough times.  Also, pray that I would be the hands and feet of Christ to minister to them in their hurt.

Please pray for our needs for next school year.  The biggest holes are the Computers teachers, School Psychologist, High School Principal and Academic Director.  If you or any you know is interested, please feel free to e-mail me and ask questions :-)

Elementary One elementary teacher

Middle School Math Computers

Secondary Science Math Computers

General Art Special Ed. School Psychologist/Counselor Administrators: HS Principal, Director of Academics

Safe travels for me as I fly home June 7th to spend time with ALL OF YOU!!  Please look ahead for possible times for hanging out with supporters for IN PERSON updates :-)  Hope to see all of you while I am home.


See you soon!
Carrie

Easter Glory - Fruit (Letter from a Parent)

Easter Glory
I had the privilege of celebrating Easter at the English speaking church called the United Church of Bogota.  What a wonderful encouragement for my soul to worship in my native language!  Seeing little kids in Easter dresses and suits, singing "Crown Him w/ Many Crowns" and proclaiming...

He is Risen!!  He is Risen Indeed!!

was amazing.   I had a wonderful breakfast w/ other teachers while listening to praise music and remembering the sacrifice and conquering of death that our blessed Savior, Jesus, accomplished on our behalf.  He is worthy of all the praise!!

So thankful that WE have a SAVIOR who has Risen and death has lost it's sting.  So thankful that WE have a SAVIOR who lived the perfect live that we were called to live and then offered his sinless life up as an offering to God so that we might be called holy, righteous, and good.  Oh, what a wonderful SAVIOR that we have in Jesus Christ!!  So thankful WE have a SAVIOR who loved us in this way while we were still sinners, still rebellious against him, and desired nothing about him. THANK YOU Jesus, for turning my heart to you and giving abundant grace for your children when our feeble attempts to love you back fall so short of your amazing glory.

Letter from a Parent:
I received a letter from a parent which was really humbling.  A little glimpse into the work God is doing in the life of one of my students :-)


Dear Miss Bergmann (and other teachers)
We just could not let this go by ...  We are celebrating and giving God all the Glory!
You know how much we have been helping our son to understand self control.

It is such a victory to see his report card and find a big G in conduct ...

Thanks to God and to all of you that believed that He was able to do better and grow and be what God wants him to be.

Thank you so much!!
(ECA parent)


Thank you for praying with me for this student.  God is so good to work in our hearts and to mold us into the people he wants us to be.  Sometimes, it can seem like no fruit is ever going to be seen and that we will continue to struggle with the same sin over and over again.  Praise to God that in Christ we do have the victory!  And, Praise God that he allows glimpses of that victory to encourage us in our walk with him.

Poetry Celebration:
April was Poetry month here at ECA.  Each elementary class memorized two poems as part of a Poetry Celebration!  I was amazed at my students who had to tackle many hard English expressions (like saying "ne'er" for never) and did such a good job with their English pronunciation.  Here is one of our poems the 3rd Graders read, along with a video.  Enjoy the Duel between the dog and cat :-)

The Duel

by Eugene Field

The Gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;

'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)

Nor one nor t' other could sleep a wink!

The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat.

(I wasn't there; I simply state

What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!"

And the calico cat replied "mee-ow!"

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row!

(Never mind: I'm only telling you

What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, "Oh, dear!  What shall we do!"

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

wallowed this way and tumbled that,

Employing every tooth and claw

In the awfullest way you ever saw -

And, oh! How the gingham and calico flew!

(Don't fancy I exaggerate -

I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning where the two had sat

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folks think unto this day

That burglars stole the pair away!

But the truth about the cat an pup

Is this: they ate each other up!

Now what do you really think of that!

(The old Dutch clock it told me so,

And that is how I came to know.)

La Mazorca - I have been dreaming about Arepas (a Colombian food - kind of like a greasy dough with cheese) from this one restaurant since I visited last school year.  My friend, Katie, and I finally ventured out and made our way back there.  Just a little fun in amongst the work of a missionary teacher :-)

Prayers/Praises:
For joy and contentment to be found in the Lord and Him alone :-)  That my quiet time would de fruitful and a time where I desire and delight to spend time w/ my Jesus. 

Open positions that we have currently for next year:

Elementary One elementary teacher

Middle School Math Computers

Secondary Science Math Computers

General Art Special Ed. School Psychologist/Counselor Administrators: HS Principal, Director of Academics

Jesus' love would grow and water the seeds of faith that have been planted in students' hearts this year.

SO BLESSED BY YOU AND YOUR FAITH,
Because they haven't heard,
Carrie

Lessons learned in JOYFUL dependence on Jesus :-)

I wanted to share with you a journal entry I wrote the day before I flew back for my second year of ministry at El Camino. Coming across this the other day, I came to realize that God had started to show me the lessons he would teach me this year right from the start.

Beautiful day in Sopo with my friend Mayra and her family :-)

"Going back for year 2 - Why do I feel so connected to home still?  My heart is still at the Orchard and their ministries wishing I could be apart of them.  Sorrow fills my heart that I am not able to be a part of fellowship in the same way that I used to be.  Fear grips me that they will no longer be my Christian family, as we would encourage and love one another.  Hearing about all of the gospel being spread, especially through Women's Ministry and Children's Ministry, makes me long to still be a part of it all.

Dear Lord, I fear my attachment to home is very strong - almost as if my love for certain people is so strong that I love them more than Colombia or more than obeying you.  I'm excited to serve you here at El Camino, but its like Satan is tempting me with everything I am giving up by going to serve you another year.  Should I have expected something different?  I knew following you is not easy and that there would be sacrifices and suffering along the way.  Giving up time with my family, close friends, and loved ones.  Teach me. Lord, through this.  I know you understand what it means to feel alone and to make sacrifices.

Please help my heart to be in the right place.  Help me to love you above all else.  My fear is that my attachment to home is sinful in that is it a distraction/hindrance to your ministry at El Camino.  Jesus, I know you are trustworthy in everything.  So, I give to you my relationships back home.   I confess my jealousy of how much they get to be in community with one another.  Please remind me how much they care when I doubt our relationships.  Also, please help me not to idolize them to a place where only you should be in my heart. 

Jesus, I long for heaven, for your promise of no more broken relationships, where sin and sorrow are no more, and we all will be glorifying you for all eternity."

Fun in the High School Science Lab!

 

As I re-read these words the other day, it made me realize that:
1.  Jesus commands us to "take up our cross and follow him." If you're going to follow Jesus, don't expect a comfortable life. Expect to suffer. Expect that there will be times when other disciples let you down, and disappoint you terribly, like they did to Jesus, and God will call you to love them still as Christ did.

Expect that God will lead you into painful experiences, in which you may feel like crying our, "My God, why?" as Jesus did. And you will not be able to figure out the answer. Know that God will call you to trust in the darkness even when you cannot feel his presence, as Jesus did.

In my Christian life, I have never really had to give up much in order to follow Jesus. And not to say that I have given up or suffered this year in worse ways than any brother or sister has, I LOVE it here in Colombia, don't get me wrong. But, this year has really challenged me with asking questions, "Is God enough?"

2. There were times where I was faced with my fear about my connections to family and friends back home.  Times when I thought I was missing out on so much.   Times where I doubted friendships would last.  Times where I was faced with asking myself, "Would I follow Jesus if I was asked to give that up?"  While there were lonely times where I didn't think I could take any more relationship sacrifice with people back home, God always remained faithful and showed that I can survive these times with Him by my side.  With God, I was faced with my fear and realized that He was bigger than all of it.  Again, I was brought back to these verses in  2 Corinthains 12:9 that says...

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I am so thankful for these lessons, no matter how hard they were to go through. Who knows, these temptations and lesson may pop back up again, but they are always meant to bring me back into the loving arms of my faithful Savior :-)
 
Trip to Villa de Leyva - My roommates and I, along with another missionary family from ECA spent a few days in a small town outside of Bogota. It was so nice to relax, enjoy God's creation together, and to be refreshed by extra time in His Word. It was here that I re-read my journal entry and spent time reflecting on the lessons God is so graciously teaching me this year.

 

 

 

Prayers/Praises: 
A team from ECA just spent a week in the Amazon, ministering to the medical needs and spiritual needs of the Tikuna tribe. Please pray for the seeds that were planted as they shared the gospel through VBS and caring/healing medical outreach. Hopefully we can have an update on my blog from my friend Mindy who went as nurse on the medical team!!

Refreshment for teachers and students over spring break - so that we are ready to finish out the school year strong!

For the hearts of my students to be open to receiving the gospel message even deeper than they have before - that they would experience Jesus in a new and fresh way this Easter.

Construction on the 3rd floor of El Camino is still in progress - pray for all who are involved in the decision process and that God's will would be done for giving our students a safe and secure place to learn :-)

Blessings and Hugs to you all, 
Carrie