READY.......OR NOT????

Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? 
Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us?


Those were some of the questions posed in my devo today.  


I often ask God to separate me for Himself.  My hearts desire is to be set apart for His glory and His glory alone. I want my life to reflect Him in me (I am a work in progress!).  I constantly give Him authority over me and ask Him to have His way in my life.  Not my will but your will be done Lord.  
But after I read those questions, I thought "do I even know what I am asking when I pray all those things?"
Well, the answer is yes! I know exactly what I am asking.  I am asking God to have full reign in my life and I sincerely mean it.  However, am I prepared to go through the process and pay the cost of sanctification (being set apart), well, sometimes that is another story!


I have learned through my own experiences that saying yes is (usually) the easier part.  It's what happens after you say yes.  It's after you say yes and the sanctification process begins that we realize "uh oh....what is going on here?"
See I am ready for the end result (at least I tend to think I am!).  I am ready to be oh so holy and set apart.  What I am not ready for is the process to get there.  You know what I'm talking about.  It's when God begins to reveal things to you about yourself that you would rather not know, when the poking gets harder,  the convictions stronger, and the sacrifices and the cost become real.   But it's also when your time with God becomes sweeter, you feel stronger, and you receive fresh revelations of God's grace and of who He is.  
So I ask myself, am I prepared for the cost of sanctification? Am I prepared for God to perform in me everything for which He has separated me for?
More often than not, I don't quite feel prepared.  However I have decided that I will go through the process anyway.  God has always been faithful and He will give me the grace and the strength that I need to go through the process and come out victorious.  God wants to separate us for a purpose.  It's because He loves us and has plans for us, some that we know nothing about. There is something that He wants to do in us and through us, but first He wants to sanctify us.
When we say yes to God to whatever He is asking us to do, it is a process.   Some processes are short and some are way longer than we would like them to be.  But in order for us to get to the place where God wants us, we must allow the process to take place.




Lord, 
Help me submit to the process. Help me to trust in You with all of my heart and not lean on my own limited understanding.  May I walk through this process with grace and end up in the place You have prepared for me.  Set me apart daily for You.






Pa Lante y Pal Cielo!
Cece

Update!

Hi everyone!
Hope you are all doing well!
I know it's been a while since I have last updated so here is a quick "run down" of all the "happenings" from the last few months!!


November:
In November, the National Assemblies of God Church in Guatemala held a retreat for all the Pastors' Wives in the country.  The womens' ministry from my church was asked to coordinate all the logistical aspects for the event.  Over 800 women attended and it was a huge success!  The women of Iglesia Vida worked diligently to ensure that the ladies were well taken care of.  We had over 100 women volunteers from our church help out in the 3 day event.  I can brag on these ladies ALL DAY!  They were amazing!!!  What a privilege it was for me to work along side these women who served so humbly and with such joy from before sun up to well after sun down!

December:
Early in the year, I felt led to organize a multi-generational womens event.  Womens ministry (WM) in Guatemala is primarily for married women.  I felt strongly that all women needed to be included in WM.  I was given the opportunity to organize the event along with the WM leadership team.  It was an incredible night!  We had over 200 women from 13-80 worshiping God together, sharing a meal, and fellow-shipping. Debbie Amsler, an AG Missionary spoke on the importance of the older generation teaching the younger and declaring the works of the Lord to the next generation.  We celebrated every generation represented and praised God!

Mi Especial Tesoro Girls Home

December marked the end of English classes at the girls’ home.  I was able to celebrate Christmas with them (a few days before Christmas) and spend some time with each of the girls.  They each received purses filled with both necessities and some things for them to enjoy!  I will miss going to the home and seeing their precious faces weekly!

Thank you Chicago Tabernacle Transformed Youth Ministry for sponsoring the girls Christmas




What’s Happening NOW??!!!!

In January, Evangel Assemblies of God from Buffalo, New York brought a team to work with us.  Although most of the team came to do construction on the Bible School, we had the chance with a few ladies on the team to minister to some young ladies.  We spent 3 days visiting a shelter for abused women.  We did some crafts with them but most importantly we demonstrated the love of Jesus to them.  We did devotions every day and prayed with them.  At the end of the 3 days, 2 of the girls made a decision to accept Christ into their hearts.

This month, we have another team coming from Ontario, New York.  We will be ministering in public schools and working with a church plant. 

March 2^nd, I will be speaking at an event for young adult women.  I am looking forward to  sharing God’s heart for them!

Speaking of March, I will be leaving the “land of eternal spring” and heading back to “the windy city” on March 5^th.  My term here is ending, and I sense the Lord leading me back to Chicago for an indefinite amount of time.  I will continue to take online classes and work on obtaining my ministry credentials.  I am looking forward to all that God has for me in Chicago (not sure what that is yet, but I know it will be GOOD!!!)

I want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support.  Please remember me in your prayers as I end my time here and prepare to return to the States.  I look forward to seeing many of you upon my return!

Pa’ Lante y Pal Cielo!
Cece

Busy Hands are Happy Hands!

I used to have a boss that whenever she came out of her office and saw us chatting she would say "busy hands are happy hands".  That was her way of telling us to get back to work!
Well, I gotta tell you, the women from Iglesia Vida have some very happy hands because our hands have been BUSY!

Every 2 years, the National AG Church here hosts a retreat for pastors wives from all over the country.  This year the executive board for the national womens ministry, asked our church if we would be able organize the event and take care of all the logistics.  The womens ministry at our church took on the challenge of organizing the event in November for over 800 pastors wives!  Since June, we have been organizing, recruiting, and planning like mad women!!!

Our goal is to make this the best and nicest retreat these women have attended.  We want them to feel special and loved.  The women come from all over the country....we will have women from deep within the interior of the country who cannot read, to educated women from the Capital.  The retreat is held at "The Tabernacle" which is a huge lot with a very big auditorium, a kitchen and dining area, and a few multi-purpose rooms. Most women that are not from the area, spend the 2 nights in one of the multi-purpose rooms.  From what I have heard, they are crammed in there  (some with their children) with thin blankets that are provied to them.  Our original desire this year was to have people from our church host some of the women (at least the women with children) and give them a warm place to sleep and rest.  Due to some logistical challenges, we will not be able to provide that for them.  So, we asked the women of the church if they could donate a warm, soft blanket we could give the ladies.  God provided even more!!!

A local factory heard about what we were doing and donated thousands (I don't even know how much!) of yards of fabric so that we can make blankets.  Soft, warm, fleece blankets!  Not only that, but God also provided a factory that would make the blankets for us.  We just had to cut the fabric into the sizes we needed and then take it to them! Here are some photos of the ladies working hard on cutting the fabric!!!

That's only about half of what was donated!

Working dilligently!

The sanctuary was turned into a factory!

second load being delivered!

Unloading the truck!

Aside from making the blankets, we also spent another day making the tableclothes and making the gift bags (not filling the girft bags...actually making the bags!)

My beautiful friend Karina cutting the cloth for the table runners

Cutting the paper to make the gift bags

making them just the right size

gifted seamstress

It has been such a blast and such a blessing working with these women!  Please pray for us as the time of the retreat is quickly approaching and there are still many details that need to be worked out.  I look forward to sharing with you all the wonderful things that God is going to do a this retreat. We want to demonstrate God's love to these women and show them that they are special to God and greatly appreciated!
By the way.....I'm not in the pictures, but I worked hard too....and not just taking the pictures!! :)

Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!!
Cece


Support:

Friends, I am still short of my monthly budget....Please pray about how you can partner with me financially either through a one time donation or by becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation in my name, you can send a check with Acct. # 2949329 written in the memo and send the check to

Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 North Boonville Ave
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
If you would like to become a monthly contributor please email me for furthur information
For automatic credit card withdrawal you can print off and fill out the form with my account number (2949329) on the website below… then send it to the AGWM address posted above.
http://ag.org/contributorservices_PDF/CRCDAUTH.pdf

Contact Me!!!
Here is my contact information
Email: cro1780@gmail
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726036343
Skype Name: Cicely Rosario
Mailing Address:
9A Calle A 8-59 Casa 14 Condominio Las Mercedes
Zona 8 de Mixco, CD San Cristobal
Guatemala, C.A

Protection, Provision, and Praise!

God is faithful. No matter what, God is faithful. When it's raining, He's faithful. When it's sunny, He is faithful. When we are going through trials, He is faithful. When we are rejoicing, He's faithful. When we are lacking, He is faithful. When we have in abundance, He is faithful. When we are sick, He's faithful. When we are healthy, He is faithful. Always, not sometimes. In every circumstance, in every situation, in every season. He is ALWAYS faithful.


Last week, I was on the highway, driving home from the girl’s home where I teach English. As I was driving, I noticed there was a red pick up truck behind me and it was really close to me. I tried to get into the next lane, but then I realized there was a white van driving next to me. I tried to speed up so that I could get ahead of the white van and merge into his lane, however, as my speed increased so did his. The red pick up also increased his speed keeping him right behind me. I was sort of "blocked in" by these two vehicles. During this time, I had been singing in my car (rather loudly) "Our God". I quickly realized that there was a chance that these 2 vehicles blocking me could present a problem. Something in my spirit told me this was not good! I started praying and singing to God. I did not just pray for protection; I praised God for His protection. I began to declare who He was, and sing "and if our God is for us, then who cold ever stop us....and if our God is with us, then who could stand against." I know that there is no room for the devil and his schemes when the children of God begin to praise God and declare His power and might....so that is what I did. Within 3-4 minutes, both cars sped away, and to be honest, I don't even know where they went! I praised God for His protection. I don't know the intention of the people in those vehicles, but I do know that God protected me from any scheme that the enemy may have tried to implement. He is faithful to watch and protect His children.

This week, once again, I experienced His faithfulness. Every 2 years, the Assemblies of God hosts regional retreats for its missionaries. This year it is in Costa Rica the week of Thanksgiving. Ideally, part of my monthly support is taken out and put into a fund to cover the expenses of the retreat. However, since my support has been low these last few months, anything that was in that fund was used to supplement my monthly disbursement (my salary). Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed that I wouldn't be able to go, thus staying here alone (all the other missionary families will be in C.R) for Thanksgiving. But again, God, in His faithfulness, has provided and made a way for me to go thanks to a family that has offered to cover my expenses!!! I cried when I found out because I was moved both by the generosity of this family and by the goodness of God. God is faithful!

Last night I had the opportunity to go see Marcos Witt (he is a Spanish worship leader/pastor....I grew up singing his songs) in concert. I had seen the billboard for months and planned on going, until I found out the tickets were $25. I know that may not seem like much, but for me these days, it is! I was disappointed but it wasn't a big deal. But again, God is so good!! A woman from my church had an extra ticket and I got to go for free!!!! I was so blessed.

I have had quite a bit of stress lately due to my support being low and also because I do not have a clue about what I am going to do at the end of my term in March. But, this week God showed me that I don't have to worry. He takes care of the big things (like a retreat for missionaries that I believe will help give me some direction for March) and also the desires of our hearts (like a concert). I am constantly in awe of my God! His faithfulness and His gentle care for me overwhelm me. I cannot help but give Him all of my praise! When our dependency is on God, He is faithful! He will NEVER let us down!

This is one of my favorite Psalms and this week I'm proclaiming it from the rooftops!!!!

Psalm 34:1-8 (emphasis mine)

I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the LORD;
Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
Let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
And he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Pa' Lante y Pal Cielo!
Cece


Support:

Friends, I am still short of my monthly budget....Please pray about how you can partner with me financially either through a one time donation or by becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation in my name, you can send a check with Acct. # 2949329 written in the memo and send the check to

Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 North Boonville Ave
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
If you would like to become a monthly contributor please email me for furthur information
For automatic credit card withdrawal you can print off and fill out the form with my account number (2949329) on the website below… then send it to the AGWM address posted above.
http://ag.org/contributorservices_PDF/CRCDAUTH.pdf

Contact Me!!!
Here is my contact information
Email: cro1780@gmail
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726036343
Skype Name: Cicely Rosario
Mailing Address:
9A Calle A 8-59 Casa 14 Condominio Las Mercedes
Zona 8 de Mixco, CD San Cristobal
Guatemala, C.A

Sweet Starbucks.......and other reminders of home.....

Earlier this summer, Starbucks opened its first store in Guatemala. I wasn't super excited and I'll tell you why.....Guatemala has some of the best coffee EVER! There are several coffee shops that have excellent coffee and they are Guatemalan owned companies. Also the Starbucks was in a part of the City that I was not familiar with. Lately, however, I have been missing home ALOT (I think it has something to do with the seasons changing...In the US of course, not here.....we only have 2 seasons.....wet and dry!). And since I can't just hop on a plane and go home for the weekend, I like to do something that reminds me of home. Sometimes it's eating something that reminds me of home (not the US but my actual family's home), sometimes it's browsing through Amazon for hours (I don't have a Borders here, and I have heard that neither do my friends in the States anymore, but when I had a lazy Saturday afternoon, I spent hours browsing books at Borders), and sometimes, it's just looking through pictures.

Since my latest bout of homesickness (not sure that's a word...but it is on my blog!), I have had the urge to go to Starbucks since SB's was part of my routine at home. The problem was, I didn't know how to get there! Well, this week I found out that another one opened in a mall that I actually know how to get to!!! I was so excited! Again, not so much because of the coffee, but because it was like a part of my "world" coming here to me!!

So, today, my roommate Amy and I ventured out to Oakland Mall. I parked in the underground parking and when we came up the escalators that took you into the mall, there at the top of the escalators, I saw this:



I cannot tell you how giddy I was (just ask my roommate Amy...I'm pretty sure I embarassed her). I heard the "halleluya chorus" in my head! I know it's silly (and perhaps even a little pathetic), but it just made me happy.  

My life is very different than it was a year and a half ago. I am thankful that God has been gracious to me and I have adapted rather well here.  He has giving me and continues to give me amazing oppurtunities. I am sincerly happy here and I really enjoy living and working here. However, every now and then, you can't help but miss home. And when "home" comes to you......well, it's a real delight!!!!!  I won't be frequenting Starbucks often, but it's nice to know where to find one when I find myself longing for something that reminds me of life back home!



My roommate Amy and I...She was super great about indulging my craving!








Special Treat...Starbucks AND Cinnabon



Cooking with my Goya products (the sazon and empanada disks were brought from the States), and drinking my Malta's always make me think of my moms kitchen!!!

Well friends, until next time,

Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!

Cece



'Enter that Rest"

Yesterday, during my time of prayer, I spent alot of time praying for myself.  Not for my needs and wants neccesarily, but for my spiritual life.  Asking God to fill me, to use me, to do with me as He would see fit.  I just wanted more of God.  The thing is, as I was praying for God to have His way with me, I started to get a little anxious...my mind wandered. Has that ever happened, you are praying and you are in "the zone" and then one little thing leads your mind to something else?  Sadly it happens to me more often than I'd like to admit! Well, as I was asking God to "have His way with me", I started to wonder....."God what is your will for my life?"  You see, I have some decisions I need to make in the next few months and I really want to hear from God about those decisions.  So I started to get anxious and ask God about it (yet again!).  It's good to bring all your anxieties to God because He cares about us...that's what the Bible says right?  Well yes, that is what the Bible says.  The problem is that I really wanted to spend time with God without the worries of tomorrow that always seem to creep into my quiet time.  I was trying to be very intentional and it was not working!

So, I decided I was going to silence my heart and my mind and just let God speak.  I sat in silence for a while and just waited for God to speak to me.  After a while, I sensed the Lord dropping Hebrews 4:11 in my mind.  I didn't know what that text consisted of but that is the scripture I felt the Lord impress on my heart.  So, I looked it up...

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience" 

I read that and at first I thought..."wow, that's great! yes, I will accept that invitation to rest in You".
And then I read it again, read the text before it, and meditated on what God was trying to tell me.

I started with the first part of the verse.....
"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest..."

God wants us to enter into His rest.  That rest that He has reserved for His children. He wants us to come to Him and recieve the rest He has offered.  We need to be intentional about coming into His presence just to rest.  The problem is, I don't always do that. 
I enter with praise and thanksgiving, yes, but also with my list.  Sometimes, we need to put that list down and just rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father and in the assurance of His Word.

That was comforting to me and rather easy to accept from my Father.

Then I meditated on the second part....
"so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience"
Ummmm, not so easy to swallow!
It hit me like a ton of bricks.....
When I don't rest in God, when I don't recieve that peace and rest He longs to give us, what I am saying to God is:
"I don't believe You are who You say You are"
"I don't trust You with my problems  and circumstances"
"I don't trust You with my future"
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!
The bible tells us to "trust in the Lord with all of our heart" (Prov 3:5), when we don't do that, we are being disobedient....hence, we are sinning. OUCH!

And that is not the kicker either....
The bible tells us that we are to be examples.  Why? Because others are watching us and our examples should lead people to Christ.  If others don't see us trusting God and resting in Him through our trials and circumstances, if they don't see us going to Him for rest, neither will they.  And that my friend, is tragic.
May my actions never lead someone away from Christ.

There is a saying that says:
"I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds my future"

I'm choosing to enter into His rest with the assurance of knowing that my Heavenly Father is in control of all things.  I don't need to fret about tomorrow because He has already been there!

Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!
Cece

Another Goodbye.....

They say that one of the hardest things about being a missionary is all the goodbye's....

The goodbye's to your family
The goodbye's to your friends back home
The goodbye's to your friends that leave the field
The goodbye's to the people you serve when you are the one leaving the field...
The goodbye's to the wonderful people you meet on teams...you minister together in a super intense way with them, and witness God rocking their world...and then at the end of the week...another goodbye....

Yesterday, there was yet another goodbye.....

There are 2 little girls, Vilma and Erika, who were living at the girls home where I teach English. They are 7 and 4. Yesterday was their last day at the home. They are being transferred to another home that is more age appropriate for them.

They came to the home a few months ago as an emergency situation. The court called the directors of the home and asked if they could take them in. The girls were living with relatives because they were in an abusive home, but the relatives were not taking good care of the girls either. When I first met them, a day after they arrived at the home, they were super shy. The skin on their feet was burnt from the sun, their hair was matted, and they didn't speak Spanish. They only spoke Quiche, which is one of the native Mayan languages in Guatemala, and they sat in a corner. Fast forward a few months later; they are chatty Cathy’s speaking in Spanish, affectionate, super cheerful, and praises to God are being sung from their lips. I cannot tell you how much I love these girls. From the moment I met them, I wanted to adopt them and bring them home with me. Seriously, I did. Unfortunately, that is not an option for me at this time, for many reasons!!!



The court system found a home that is more age appropriate for them, as Mi Especial Tesoro is a home for adolescent girls. I know that in one sense, it is better for them because the new home has resources specifically for children their age. However, I can't help to think....."What will become of their life?” I don't know if the new home is a christian home. I can only trust that the seeds that were planted in these few months are rooted deep in their hearts and will continue to grow. I am believing that He who began the good work in their lives is faithful to complete it.



I think saying bye to Vilma and Erika was the hardest goodbye yet. I've only been a missionary for a year and I have had enough goodbyes! But at 4 and 7, I think they have had to say more than their shares of goodbyes as well.

Until next time friends,
Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!
Cece