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

Acoinprev - Administering God's Grace

"Above all, each one should use whatever gifts he has received, graciously administering God's grace in its various forms."    
                                                                                      1 Peter 4:8

We had the wonderful opportunity this week to welcome our friends from Acoinprev to our school.  Last October, we went and visited them at their school.  Acoinprev is a poor Christian school in the Suba neighborhood.  They are in need of financial support for the upkeep of their building, school supplies, and encouraging spiritual support for the ministry they are doing for the poorer children of Suba.

While my camera was unfortunately left at home when they visited ECA, I do have some pictures to share about our time with Acoinprev from last October.  My students had some time to reflect on their time serving Acoinprev and I would like to share some of their thoughts with you as well.

Thoughts from my 3rd Graders:
I liked teaching the kids more English.
I liked when we played Twister because the kids in Acoinprev were funny.  My favorite part was when we sang songs.
I like to have a moment with them.  Praying that they can learn more of God, help others, and love each other.
I met some kids - two of them have the same name, Emmanuel!  They were very kind.
I was surprised that a boy know a song in English and Spanish.  I was happy and they were happy, too
I pray that they have God in their heart.
I played Chutes and Latters with a boy, and two girls named Paula B and Paula A.  They were nice to me.  Please pray for a boy that didn't walk normal.
It was cool to meet new friends of other school.  I liked to see how you could be so happy if they are so poor. And yes, it surprised me, because I saw they were happy with anything you can have.
Pray that they would be blessed by God for everything they need.
I saw this kid named Daniel, which I saw last time I went there.  There was a wall that was torn down at Acoinprev this time.
I pray that the glory of God stays there.

What moved me most was seeing my students try and talk with their new friends.  When Acoinprev arrived, we had snack together first.  My 3rd Graders brought in a snack for an Acoinprev student. For demonstrating service, my students gave Acoinprev their juice and snack before they could eat their own.  We then played with them, showed them our library, did an art project, and sang songs.  They had a short time after singing songs to ask an Acoinprev student about their family and things that they like.  God is so good because my students started to realize that they are no different than they are.  In Christ, we are all the same.  It doesn't matter what school you go to or how much money you have.  Also, as ECA children who are blessed to learn a second language and have many gifts from God, it was a wonderful opportunity to use those gifts to serve others.  Like the verse in 1 Peter says above, when we use our gifts in this way God's grace is administered to those who need it.

Prayers/Praises:
For preparing for having a student teacher for next year.  That I would depend on God's grace as she learns how to teach a bunch of crazy children from me.  That any doubts or fears that I have would be entrusted to Jesus.

For health - still feeling really tired and sickness is going around ECA.  Strength that this will not affect my patience with my students!!

Looking ahead to next year - and the changes that will come.  :-)  New teachers to meet, new class...

Planting and watering eternal seeds,
Carrie

For Such A Time As This...

Celebrating my 31st birthday!

"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him."  Acts 17:26-27

This year has been about stretching my spiritual muscles.  There have been many tests of faith that I have experienced and have had to struggle through.  My class this year has tested my teaching, my classroom management, and challenged me to rely on Jesus (and not myself) in every way.  On really hard days, they have challenged me to ask myself, "Where does my joy come from?"  I've been challenged in relying on God to provide when a very close friend from back home did not seem to be able to keep up our friendship since I had moved here in the way that I was desiring.  Rejection, loneliness, and sadness crept in as this situation with my friend took me by surprise.  I knew following God came with sacrifices, but this one felt like God was asking too much!  During this hard time, God challenged me to ask myself, "Where does my joy come from?"  These challenges and tests of faith have swiped my joy this year.  In some ways, this year has been a lot harder than the last.  When looking at these circumstances, I started to think that maybe my heart was not in the ministry here anymore.  If ministry was this hard, then maybe I need to really ask myself if it's still the place for me to serve.  My prayer for making my decision for next year became, "Lord, if you want me to stay, please captivate my heart w/ joy for this place like never before.  Please turn my heart to truly desire being here."

Birthday Party w/ my wonderful parents and students!

In some ways, maybe these challenges were teaching me to love being here even when it's hard.  Lately, I have been studying the book of Esther.  In my morning devotion this past week, something challenged me and caused my perspective to change.  Here are some words form Beth Moore as she speaks about Esther's decision to risk her life for her people and go talk to the King:

Queen Esther

"Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"   Esther 4:13-14

The harsh truth about Mordecai's exhortation applies to us.  We can refuse to walk in obedience to God or cower in fear from our calling and He will undoubtedly still accomplish His agenda.  As for us, we will pass up the fulfillment of our own entire life-purpose and we - and perhaps even our "father's family" - will miss a mighty work.  Frighteningly, perhaps even a mighty deliverance.  One of our biggest obstacles in our most important moments "for such a time as this" is the difficulty of the destiny-serving task.

Every giant-sized weight drops into our lap right on schedule.  None of our purposes will be fulfilled easily.  All of them will require the most difficult decisions we think we can make.  Decisions that we feel will practically kill us.  Then God does something miraculous and we become something we're not.  That's when "who knows" becomes "I know."

At some of the hardest times in my life, I have been able to make the more difficult decision choice out of pure blind-eyed, bent-kneed acceptance that it was somehow part of a greater plan.  I was beaten by a conviction that throbbed relentlessly against my strong self-centeredness.   As much as my flesh wanted relief, I knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling that served myself all the way to meaninglessness.  I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life.  I was called to purposeful life.

Beth Moore - Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman - pg. 97-98

Making my decision:
These words from Beth Moore and the words of God in the book of Esther made me refocus on the purpose for being here in Colombia.   While this year has been hard, I feel like in some ways it has been stretching my spiritual muscles and my faith.  I was ready to make the easier decision of returning to my family (which isn't a bad thing, but something my flesh really wanted) instead of staying and continuing the work God has for me here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS :-0  The work God is doing at El Camino is part of a greater plan, far greater than I can see.

 

Lately, I have been reminded of one of my "battle ground" verses that I picked with my mentor a few years ago:

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."   Ephesians 1:11

God works out everything to conform to his will.  While talking with my mom last weekend and telling her that I was leaning toward staying, she finally told me that she knew I would return for a third year when I left this past July for the start of my second year.   God even worked out this detail of having confirmation from my mom, once I had decided on my own to stay one more year in Colombia. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support through this decision!!   I am excited for what next year will hold.  The school has asked me about having a student teacher from Trinity Xian University in the Fall - and I have accepted this challenge. :-0  May his grace be abundant on me on this new endeavor!!

Love and Hugs!
Carrie

 

Celebrate Colombia, Spreading the Gospel through Relationships, and a Meticulous Anniversary :-)

"To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."    2 Thessalonians 2:14-15

1. Celebrate Colombia - Dia de Idioma
To help nurture the Colombian culture into the hearts of our students at ECA, we have a day each year called Dia de Idioma, or CELEBRATE COLOMBIA.  My students learned so much about Colombian history (legend of El Dorado, anyone??) and had so much fun putting on a skit that showed the indigenous people of Colombia from Guatavita from which the legend of El Dorado came from.  The costumes are dances are so rich in history and it's amazing to watch my students perform.  It warms my heart to cherish this Colombian heritage with them.  Sometimes, I hear that our students can't connect with their grandparents or parents very well because our ECA kids have such a mix of American and Colombian culture in them.  When they go off to college, they feel separated from their Colombian classmates and wish they knew more of their own cultural heritage and who they are.

I had the privilege of learning an authentic Colombian dance called Jota Chocoano from the Pacific Coast.  My dancing partner was Henry, the Spanish teacher for my 3rd Graders.

3rd Graders anointing the King at Lake Guatavita!

My Thoughts:
1. Colombian dancers are amazing!!   Super fast and intricate moves :-)  No need to exercise after practicing this dance.
2. Learning to dance with a skirt - and knowing how to grab it quickly and correctly was quite challenging!
3. Dancing barefoot equals to bleeding on your foot- but it was worth it!! I'm used to injuries with ice skating :-)

Here is the video of the dance for you to watch! :-) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJXUinhWYw&feature=youtu.be

Below are some picture of our time of celebration.

2. Spreading the Gospel through relationships:

Spending time with my students and their families is still a highlight of the ministry God has for me in Colombia.  Last Saturday, I spent time with Josue, his brother and sister, and his wonderful parents.  This family happens to attend my church here also, so it is an extra bonus!  When I arrived, Josue showed me his house and his room.  Then, he grabbed some photo albums and showed me his adorable baby pictures.  Josue wanted to have me over to build a fire, so after dinner we all went outside and we had a time of praying and thanking God for the blessings in our life.  This was such a sweet time of getting to know Josue and his family so much better.  This made me realize that sometimes I can get so focused on the work that needs to be done.  Planning lessons, grading, helping with random things at the school, parent meetings, leading Elementary worship...

Luke 10:38-42

New International Version

At the Home of Martha and Mary

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work?  Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha, "the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Josue's twin brother and sister - they are adorable!!

While these things are great and have value, there is nothing more valuable that stopping the incredibly busy lives we create for ourselves that we no longer have time for the people that we love around us.  Believe me when I say that I am first to admit that I find purpose and value in the work - striving because I want to please and serve the Lord.  My motive behind the work can lead to pride and a sense that I am earning God's favor.

How humbling to learn that true ministry and helping the gospel run is based on relationships.  Spending time with people and being apart of their lives speaks more that whether I had the best lesson planned, the grades updated in the grade book, or how many projects I decided to help with at ECA.  This is challenging to me - because my personality leads me to want time to myself to re-energize.  I find myself being a hermit, where I have time to refocus on the work that needs to be done.  What a blessing to step out of this task-oriented mindset.  Now, when I speak with this student, my words have more meaning because he knows I care and have invested time to be with his family.  

Isn't this what Jesus wants of me?  To not constantly be trying to earn his love when it has already been freely given to me in Christ?  That's why I work so hard.  But, I can't earn it with being a perfect teacher.  I can't earn it with being willing to sacrifice all of my time and energy to serve other people.  Actually, nothing I can DO will earn his love and acceptance at all.  I'm learning that he accepts me because I am his daughter!  I think it's hard to accept this gift because we know how undeserving we are.  How could Christ's love be free?  It was so costly to him, he must want something back in return!!  How hard it is to sit at his feet and just be with him - but how precious those times are.  Pray with me that the Lord would graciously draw each and everyone of us to him to just sit at the foot of the cross - burden free - to spend time with our Savior.  That's all that we wants from his children.

3. Meticulous Anniversary??
Remember last year at this time our stuffed animal monkey named Meticulous married his wife, Friendly?  My students brought in wedding clothes for the monkeys, wedding rings, we all dressed up, my friend Katie came in to officiate the wedding, and we ended with a dance party??

Well, we just had to celebrate their anniversary!!  We invited the 4th grade class (my students from last year) so we could all celebrate the marriage of our classroom monkeys.  Meticulous and his wife, Friendly, had an announcement to make to all of the kids...

They are the proud parents of twins!!!!  They have a son named CHAMP and a daughter named EMPATHY.  CHAMP is named after our classroom discipline plan of acting like champions in school.  EMPATHY is named after part of our Elementary Chapel theme of noticing how other people are feeling, especially our friends when they are being bullied or treated mean by others.  The happy family is pictured below :-)

Prayers/Praises:

Praise that a wonderful family from ECA had a group from their church from the States coming down to visit and offered to bring my Vitamin D for me!  So grateful for God's provision :-)

Continue to pray for my decision for next year - that what I give weight to in deciding to serve one more year here would be what the Lord gives weight to in his ministry.  Also for clarity, peace, and hopefully a decision soon!!

Chicken pox is still going around - I now have two confirmed cases in my class.  Please pray that our administration would seek guidance from the Lord on how to handle keeping our school a safe and healthy environment to learn.


Because of Him,
Carrie