Catching up with Holly

HELLO to sooo many of you!!!

     I had fallen off "the radar" and I apologize that I haven't been faithful at giving periodic updates after my 17 months I was in Chile with YWAM.    Its hard to believe I have been back just over a yr. now....God has been so faithful.
       My yr. in a nutshell:  I stayed with a wonderful couple and their great 2 little kids for almost 4 months after returning which was an incredible blessing. It was in the town of Louisville,  not too far from Boulder.  For work during this time,  God provided several manual labor jobs for me..helping landscape, re-locating grass, painting both inside and out.
    I then lived in 2 other places house-sitting basically, with the last place being in Boulder which was wonderful as I got my job at CU back working as a nurse there on a 6 month contract.  I then helped out part-time in a paid position in the Children and Family Ministry department at my church.  (First Pres. of Boulder).   I also was involved with Mother House, a home for pregnant girls, and every other week would lead a "praise night" . Myself and several other women would meet and sing, and then have a teaching/discussion on some topic applicable to their lives,  just loving on them and being there to support them.
     I am now working the nurse at Sonlight Christian camp in S.W. Colorado about 7 miles outside of Pagosa Springs. The camp borders the incredible Weminuche Wilderness......so we are tucked into the mtns. up here but unfortunatly being threatened  by the "Little sands fire".  Check out the wonderful website at Sonlightcamp.org.
   When I came back to the states, I had in my mind to sign a rental agreement, be in one place for awhile and get a job.....but God had different plans as you have just read.  He continues to teach me to depend on Him step by step knowing He has wonderful plans for me. He has shown me that He will guide, and provide.... I just need to trust and be obedient to Him and His timing.  This is the way of living in "missions" while in other Countries....why should that change?

Entrance sign

   Anyway,

 

Your partnership with me has helped transform lives of  people, and I truly appreciate your prayers and support. Thanks sooo much being part of  me being able  to serve in missions in other Countries these past few years.  I couldn't have done it without your prayers,  and without you being willing to be used by God to bless me financially with some of what He has blessed you with.         I will be here at Sonlight camp until at least mid-August and am just trusting and knowing God will let me know my next step from here....I am open to leaving the Country again if that is where He leads.  In the meantime, it is a privilege to be "a missionary" here at Sonlight where we focus on showing these children Jesus through our actions for them and for one another, and teach them the truth about Jesus and His love for them.
   The support you can give for me would be prayer!  Please pray daily for Sonlight Christian camp.  For the staff, the children, and for their parents also!  Pray that I would hear God clearly and obey, and that I continue to be shaped and molded by Him in who I am in Him.
  THANX sooo much!  .....will keep you periodically updated with future adventures of my life with God....especially if I am led to leave the Country again to Share Jesus with others in far away places.
            And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you (Philippians 1:6, AMP)
  In God's amazing amazing love,
                            Holly

The Nurses trailor (I sleep in different trailor)

My group in hike day  (Jr. High age)

Final days in Chile!!!!

                               Hello!!! I am sending my final blog from my time here in Pichilemu, Chile!
               It is hard in some ways to believe that I am going on my 17th month here, but will be returning  the 22nd of May.




            I have experienced some really amazing times here in Chile...some really happy and easy, and some really sad and  hard times as well...(including the earthquake!) Isn't this the way life is wherever we are?  What I do know is that it has been wonderful to be where I believe God wanted me to be, and to be doing what I believe He wanted me to be doing.  God has been so faithful in my time here in everything....from teaching and preparing me, to allowing me to serve and help meet needs of others.  Chileans are beautiful people and their Country, from the places I got to experience, is a place of diversity and  beauty.
                I am currently working as staff in the Foundations for Ministerial Counseling school. This school focuses on  restoration and healing through the word of God. In addition to routine staff duties, (kitchen work and other "chores",  I am a small group leader with another woman for 4 young ladies in the school.  I am also helping translate for the school.  (I still can't believe it!!! I am not fluent in Spanish, but God has enabled me to be able to do this!)    5 of the 42 students speak English as their primary language. I will be leaving 3 week before the theory portion of the school ends, but this was known in advance.                                                

                                                            

weekly "farmers-market"

Some of the  women students and staff

THE DINING HALL

         This YWAM mission base has been established for 15 years, and consists of 5 Training Ministries: Discipleship Training School (DTS), Foundations for Ministerial Counseling (FMC), Discipleship School of Construction, School of Biblical Studies (SBS) and a 3 month Biblical Studies school (Core Course).
         There is something that I believe happens to people on all  "mission trips"; long or short-term.... This is that one cannot return without being impacted....changed in some way.  I am sure there are many changes in me, and I want to impact others as a result..I have daily EXPERIENCED more of God's character and His father-heart for me. I have been blessed by being able to help, to share God's truth and love,  and physically and emotionally bless others in my time here.
      Each of you were a part of my time of training and serving here in Chile, and I am deeply thankful for you.  Your encouraging words, financial support,  prayers.....well..... your love.  YOU WERE THE SHOULDERS I STOOD ON.  THANK YOU
     I don't know what God has planned for me next, but I wouldn't be surprised if it includes missions.
               In God's amazing love and care,

                                  Holly                                                                           
    

Greetings from Pichilemu, Chile

Hello from the mission base of JUCUM  (YWAM) here in Pichilemu, Chile.  It is summer here and am enjoying the warmth!  As always, I am caught in the reality of how time just has flown for me....seems like it was just Christmas and....its going to March soon....wow!  I have alot to share about this time.

 


       Christmas was hard actually... I missed a Christmas eve service, missed the colder like weather, missed so many of you,  and just well..the things that are special to me that surround this special time.   I was able to leave the mission base for almost 3 weeks over the holidays, which was a wonderful time.  I spent it with a family in Santiago helping them get final things done to move to Israel...(a single mom and 2 of her sons that had become very special to me).  They are Jewish and felt called to move to their homeland. It was a very special last visit with them, and I was able to help alot!
                                                                                                                               

"my Jewish family"-The Reiningers

    I spent 1/2 of Christmas day with my special friend Yanet (who is a missionary in Uruguay), & her mom and step dad and siblings.  We then took a 3 1/2 hr. bus trip to spend time with  her grandparents. They live in Loncura, a little town near a beach. It !!!  I love listening to and watching the ocean..its power and peace  both! We didn't spent much time on the beach but I did get some good beach runs in!  My runs are such a special time with God.....a different time with Him, talking, listening, and enjoying.

New Yrs. Yanet and grandma

           The counseling school classroom training ended mid Dec., and I didn't think I was going to join a team for  outreach for the next 2 1/2  months, but felt strongly that I needed to stay and  finish this process...the school entirely.  We had 4 outreach teams in our school going to 4 different places and  I was originally on a team to go to Paraguay, but had the opportunity to spend time around the holidays with friends in the Santiago area.  I did that and then returned to be part of a team here in Pichilemu.



Santiago near the Cordillero de los Andes

  So.....what have I been doing for the "outreach" portion of the school? 

              My team of 6, has been working here in Pichilemu. In January we served and worked with a women's seminary, marriage seminary, and counseling seminary as well as 2 weeks of camp for youth....  Everything from small groups, to hospitality and kitchen work...(meal preparation and dishes).  Jan. is summer here so there was ALOT going on. We also had a team of 27 from Australia here helping with construction needs and I ended up helping translate.    This mission base was started with the vision of community outreach through a swimming pool, which is in a building  called "Pura Vida".  The purpose is to reach out to and meet needs of the people in Pichilemu and impact their lives with God's love and  the Gospel, which they have been doing for about 14 years now from this base.

One of the beaches in Pichilemu

     As part of our counseling school outreach, our team has  an office where people  can come and share, ask for prayer, or just visit.  We also  spend time around the pool sharing  with the parents who bring their kids for swim lessons.... about how real God is,  and of his love for them.  There is alot of fear right now as the devastating earthquake happened the 27th of March...almost exactly 1 yr. ago.  People are open to share about their fear and insecurity, and willing to hear that God can bring them peace and that they can have security in Him.

        Another woman who is one of my leaders, is a physical therapist from Germany, and together we have been working with an autistic man named Victor who had brain surgery for a tumor the 23rd of Dec.  Today was the last day with him as our 3 month outreach ends this week.  When we started, he could hardly move his right leg, or raise up his right arm.  He has mental disabilities as well but we give praise to God that now he can raise his right arm up and do a "high five", and also today, he walked on his own without my support in front of him.  It was so exciting to see the progress he has made.  The doctors told his mom to expect him to always be wheelchair bound, but.....God is a God who heals, a God of miracles and surprises!



Nicole in front of our "counseling/pastoral office"



PT/rehab with Victor

 We also shared themes on the local Christian radio station 2 times per week....yes, I have been stretched immensely in this time!
We also spend Saturdays with about 20 children for "super Saturday".  We teach them a value from the Bible, and then they have time of sports, swimming, obstacle courses, dance....just fun!



Sharing from the Bible on radio

The "hub" of our outreach
Pura Vida-outdoor swimming pool and our counseling
office rehabilitation/nursing office

      This weeknd will be the end of the outreach.  There is a  big swim competition here  Sat. and Sun. with many teams from different parts of Chile and I will work as the nurse for whatever may arise. There always seems to be the need here for general first aid which I am thankful to  be able to give.  I will graduate from the school around the 5th of March.

 So.....what am I going to do after graduation?

  I  originally thought I was going to return to Colorado, but I received different guidance from God in His process for my life.

     My 90 days is up to stay in the Country so I will be heading south and to Argentina, spend a night or 2 there and then re-enter Chile.  I will then spend several days with from friends from the states who are living on the island of Chiloe until June. It is  very different there, with indiginous influence from what I have been told. What a treat it will  be to see some more of Chile and spend some time with them and their 2 kids.

     I will then return here to the base and work as staff with the next counseling school. This will include being one of the translators (wahoo!!!, and I can't believe it), and also being one of the mentors for  a small group of women and possibly some teaching.  I know that this is where God wants me to be at this time.  The counseling school isn't like the counseling we traditionally think of,  but a process of so much personal healing.  Its a school about our lives, and how God wants to heal us and transform us.

      This time here continues to be an incredible  time of training, serving, and growth in my intimacy with God...really experiencing Him. My being a missionary  isn't about  "my capacity", but about being willing for God to use me in His plans.  He is the one who makes things happen.  I had fear about speaking on the radio, preaching in church, and many other things because I felt uncapable....I AM incapable on my own, but have learned that God will never ask us to do something that He won't give us the ability to do.    Life is such an adventure with Him.....

                                  Thanks for all the support and prayers. In His amazing Love, Holly



one of the little swimmers!



Super Saturday!



                                                                                                                                                                                      



  





























Merry Christmas from Chile

Hello from Chile,  and Feliz Navidad....almost.

        Its just 9 days until Christmas and it just doesn't seem like it can be true.....Have I really been here almost a year?   Summer is trying to arrive here but we have been having such cool days in between.....and there are minimal outside decorations which also makes it hard to feel "the season"!!!!
        I am soooo blessed!  My friends who I have visited a few times in Santiago are Jews and returning to their homeland at the end of Dec.  They have invited me to spend one last visit with them, so that is where I will be for Christmas.  I will then be meeting up with my friend Yanet,  who is actually a missionary in UY.  I will spend some time with her and her family also near Santiago over New Years.  I spent time with her last year when I arrived here to Chile.  I am REALLY looking forward to these special times.  

Loren and Doreen Cunningham- founders of YWAM

      Wow....have been involved in many things since the last blog.  We had the 50th year celebration of YWAM with the founders here at this base, then the "March for Jesus", which was basically an annual parade  to declare His presence and our love and committment to Him.  We have also been involved in various ways in the community helping and loving people...from home to hospital visits.  I am no longer involved in building homes but that ministry continues.  There are still MANY needs after that earthquake on Feb. 27th.  We have had many recent tremors again, and there is a fair amount of rumor of another....we will see. 

Teaching about the "Wall of Rebellion"



I am finished with any classroom teaching and in the last week, we all had to teach a section of what is called the Divine Plumbline. I had the chance to use a translator, but opted to teach in Spanish, and I was encouraged with my increasing ablility to speak in Spanish! Hooray.



This will be my new home from Jan.-March
Classroom upstairs and 4 rooms with 6-8 beds downstairs





OUR CLOTHES DRYER




       In my last blog, I didn't know the next steps I would be taking past the middle of the month but now I know! I am committed to staying here in Pichilemu until March 6th now. I am on an outreach team here as the final part of the counseling school. Three other teams went to 3 other Countries (Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). During the month I January, I will be working with a women's conference for a week, a marriage seminar week, a counseling seminar week, and another one involving general missions and "king's kids", which is a week long camp for children.
           In addition to this, my team is in the process of opening a counseling office in the main building. One of the permenant staff here is going to be doing to physical therapy for those in the community with that need, and we are praying about how I can also use my nursing to connect with people as well. We will also be sharing on the local radio station here--(better keep practicing my Spanish).



This is my Runny buddy...named her " Baby-girl"



Chilean dance dress




This is my update for now......may you all have truely a special and blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!  My prayer is that He is known to each of you during this season in a way that surprises you....that you will KNOW his amazing  love for you in a personal way you hadn't thought possible....
                                                                                                     Love, Holly

                 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANKS FOR YOUR E-MAILS/PRAYERS/SUPPORT 



WHAT A COOL MAP!!!!!



mission update

parade with children showing traditional dress

typical Chilean dress

            Hello!

I love these hugs!

Well, I am still here in Pichileumu Chile….and I am overdue in sending out a blog.  Needless to say, I have been very busy here, and we have had no internet on the base.  I aslo have to admit that I am tired.  Its been both a fast nine months and a slow nine months at times as well. I  I have been involved in many things here at the Missions base, and outside of the base as well.  Oct. 18 here in Chile ...and several days before AND after the Chileans were busy celebrating 200 yrs. of Independence from Spain.  There were Chilean flags EVERYWHERE!  I have never seen such Patriotism!...and the customary dress and dances were incredible!
   
  I was even in a parade here in Pichilemu as part of the celebration. The last week of June,  I began working as one of the staff for a new Discipleship training school. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the changes God is making in the lives of the students, and in my own Spiritual growth and intimacy with Him as well. There is ALWAYS more to know of Him. In missions, you have the mindset to serve, but God is always giving to you personally in different ways...His ways. This has been a blessing to me.  Yes, God is an active God who transforms us when we seek and invite Him to do so, but who will never force Himself on us.

     Our Discipleship training school went on a mini outreach for 10 days, in a “campo”—which means a very rural community a couple hours from here by bus called El Tambo.  We worked with a church there and stayed with families.                                 

Discipleship training students with El Tambo in background

sharing devotional on mini-outreach

  The families embraced us and poured their love out on our team.  We spent time worshiping,  with the youth,  with families, and times of ministry through drama for the community in their plaza.  Students and staff also shared devotionals from Bible passages, and testimonies of the faithfulness of God and what he has done in our lives as followers of Jesus! The students and 3 other staff are now in North Chile for part of their outreach.  They are near where the 33 miners have trapped since August. They will return the 3rd week of Oct. here to the base where we will be having a huge gathering of over 700 people from all over South America to celebrate 50 yrs. of JWAM.  This will be a very busy time for us serving here. 

        

     I have also been helping construct homes with a project called Homes of Hope as most of you know from previous blog. It has been great working with other teams from other Countries who have come to help construct homes after the earthquake. These teams provide most of  the finances for the materials to build the home.  The last team was from a mission base in Switzerland, but most were Korean.  It was interesting communicating at times if they didn’t speak Spanish or English but we all managed to get the house built!  I loved hearing them pray in their native language.  The next team that will come to help construct is from New Zealand, so I am not involved in any building projects right now. I sure slept well after days of hanging drywall inside the house….its hard and heavy work....but if you know me well, you know that I like to work physically as well.            

house construction in progress

helping construct the house

        I have been struggling to get these photos in place to write around them but was unsuccessful.  Due to limited internet and time I need to just send this as is.  Will attempt to attach several photos at the  bottom to share!
         Oct. 18 here in Chile ...and several days before AND after the Chileans were busy celebrating 200 yrs. of Independence from Spain.  There were Chilean flags EVERYWHERE!  I have never seen such Patriatism!    I was even in a parade here in Pichilemu as part of the celebration.

         During this time of a break in the construction, I attended a "seminary section" of the counseling school which was tremendous.  I was going to only attend these 2 weeks as a student but God has been very clear with me that He wants me to receive the training in this area.  I know there are areas He wants to heal me in as well.  So.....I will be attending this school until the end of Dec.  I kept thinking God was possible going to lead me to another place during this time but, I now believe this is right where He wants me still.  There is no doubt that if I should return working as a nurse in missions, or out of missions this "counseling training" will be a blessing to others.
        I didn't know how long I would be here, and I still don't.  All I know is that God will guide me and I will go.    I do so much miss many of you, and I do miss Colorado, and many things back in Colorado.  My Spanish of course is getting  better and better....hooray!   

        Bless you all and please keep me in your prayers!  Holly

part of construction team from Korea

seeking warmth after working

Team from Switzerland...Korean team's last day constructing

scenery in El Tambo

 

Update from Mission life in Pichilemu, Chile

Santiago Chile-cordillero de los Andes in background

Hola de Pichilemu, Chile!
I have been involved in many things since I wrote the last blog, (my computer is broken so its been difficult to post a blog) but now, I am going to share about it!
It is Winter which means RAIN and cold.....but it also means a little place that is now calm and mellow.  It is totally different than it is in the Summer when it is filled with tourists for the nearby beaches, despite that it is usually quite windy.  It truely is beautiful and I am taking advantage of empty beaches on the weekend when I
can go for a nice long run. I am so thankful for my health and my passion for running!

Pichilemu sunset from the beach

home sweet home

   I am living in a tiny little apt. just one  street from the base as I opted out of thecommunity living with the students.  I eat lunch at the base, but fix my own breakfast and dinner.

near finished home with paint and electricity!

          I am working as staff part time with a Discipleship training school that started at the end of June.  I am responsible for the sports time we have in the school which is 2 nights a week, and also working in hospitality for the school...which means being in charge of tea/coffee, and possibly some cookies during the class breaks, and attending to the speakers and their needs.  We all take turns in sharing devotionals, and as all staff, I work a full day in the kitchen each week as well.    I am also working with a mission here at the base called Houses of Hope. We are building homes for those who had theirs destroyed by the devastating earthquake in Feb.and I love the physical work and being part of something that is such an incredible blessing that demonstrates God's love.

Working with Abbie, who works full time with Homes of hope

Paulina-she will be living in this new home we built

 





         

My visit in Uruguay

As the law requires, I have to leave the country every 90 days, so at the end of June, I got a bargain roundtrip deal for Uruguay, and spent 5 days there with my "family" at the YWAM base where I spent 3 months last Summer.  It was soooo wonderful to be able to actually know the others better  now that my Spanish is at another level.  I also got to love on Anna Clara, the sweet baby of one of my friends there. It was a wonderful surprise that I was able to go.

Celebrating the Sabbath- "Shabot"

Last Thursday, I took the bus to Santiago (3 1/2 hrs.) to spend some time with some friends from Massachusetts who have moved here for the next year with their 2 children.  They asked me to come and help them with the language, getting around the City..and with the kids a bit. This is their first time to Chile, and  Lisa is going to teach English.  Her husband Mike is going to keep working via computer.  I also got to spend some really special time also with my friend Lior and his family who live in Santiago.  They are Messianic Jews, and I learned  much about the Jewish faith. ..celebrated the Sabbath in their home, and went to the synagogue with them.  I now have a different perspective when reading my Bible about God's Chosen people. It was nice to see some of Santiago, and also friends!
I have committed to serving here for 2 1/2 months more, and then.....wherever God leads. Thanks for your love and prayers!    
  In His amazing, amazing love, Holly

Holly with Berto and Gabbi in Plaza Brazil, Santiago

View from Cerro de San Cristobal, Santiago

Finished with Discipleship Training School

r

My dear friends,


I am back at the mission base here in Pichileum after our outreach part of the school, and we had our graduation on the 9th of June....yes, I graduated!   We did have tests, projects, reports, etc....like a university and if you read the blogs when the school began, we had a very full and rigid schedule.  It has been 6 months of great times as well as very hard times, (including the earthquake/s), but an enriching time.
     The main point of this school is to KNOW God    intimately...and the the outreach portion is to continue knowing Him more as we learned in our theory phase, and to put it into practice and share through the outreach.  We spent time with children, families, churches, the elderly in a mix of places.  The people were generally soooo loving!   It has been a time of God working in my character and of me truely discovering really who He is and accepting His love  as his child.

  I am going put several photos of places in South Chile where we were to share.....The last week we were with a church in Puerto Montt where the pastors were with JUCUM  (YWAM) for 15 yrs...they allowed us time to just reflect and enjoy more than anything which was such a blessing as we were quite tired.  We moved to 9 different places during these 2 1/2 months....   You will see pics of Volcano Orsorno where they took us and we got to climb up to the snow level. There is always snow on the top third of the volcano, and its actually a ski area in the Winter.

I have the hardest time working around these photos....ugh!  lots of wasted space I can't seem to change...

 This is a photo from my Birthday run with my friend Myriam from Switzerland.   We were in a place where it wasn't safe to even walk around the neighborhood even in pair....so we took a bus into the Center of Puerto Montt where we could run..I have to say, I got some good exploring in through my runs when time allowed.....there were sooo many wild blackberries in South Argentina and South Chile......and I ate more than my share!

This picture we took on our way to hike up volcano Osorno...there are 2 volcanos here that are just gorgeous to look at.....I was in heaven having a day in the outdoors and with exercise....yippee!!




   Local Meat market where you can take home an entire pig head.....no, we didn't buy one....

This is lake Llanquehui, and these 2 statues of geese are here because as the legend goes, there used to many here in this lake before the people living there killed them long ago.....so, this is a reminder of what used to be.

  After listening and praying about my next steps.......I will be staying here at the mission base for at least the next 3 1/3 months.....I want to grow in my intimacy with God and hear and soak up many of the teachings of the classes again.....Want to be firm in my walk and the things that God has been revealing to me about Him...and His love for me.  Am just really beginning to receive His love like a father for me......
    I have been welcomed here to work with the next Discipleship training school...will work part time there...won't be pastoring anyone like most of the staff as I desire more time in my own growth.  I may be the person in charge of the sports that the school does.... I also am going to work part time constructing prefab homes here on the base where they used to play soccer...its been converted for this after the earthquake.....homes of hope the project is called. 
       I got a taste of the winter type mud that happens here......we had a day and 1/2 of non stop heavy rain and many of the roads are dirt....the ones here on the base are too.....talk about muck...and its the type that clings to your shoes/boots and before you know it you are walking ...trying to walk on a mud platform....ugh!   Winter will have many days like this from what i am told...its still late fall here....  its cold in the houses and the buildings.......no heat and humid air.  Wearing hose type tights under my pants for warmth. (They have never heard of longunderwear).....I will be wearing lots of layers...and will feel so light and trim after winter!

                           GRADUATION NIGHT                     RECEIVING MY DIPLOMA from our director
  Thank you all so much for your interest in following what God is using my life for and for you support....both financial and prayers.  I will be needing more financial support to continue with missions so I would like to ask you to pray about that and if you need information on how to make a tax deductible donation please e-mail me, or scroll back to the left corner of the blog for the information and address for the foundation that is set up for my missions work.
Blessings from Pichilemu, Chile!   In God's amazing love.......
HOLLY