Well it has been officially one week since I left the country that will forever have my heart within its grasps. Now don't get me wrong, it is great to be back and to see my family that I love so much and my friends! It is so exciting sharing with them the incredible things I have experienced and to tell them all of the God stories that I have seen throughout the past two months. I have the best family and friends that a person could ask for, and I can't wait till Samford starts back up so I can see even more of my incredible friends and tell them all that God did in my life and in others lives.
But something is missing. Something is not the same. Something is wrong. I realized that my heart, more than ever, is broken and is still in Ecuador even though my body is back here in the United States. It's like when a couple is in love: they can't stand to be apart from one another. As weird as that illustration may sound, thats how I feel. When I am serving in Ecuador I experience this incredible joy because I know I am getting a small glimpse of what I am going to do for the rest of my life. But when I come back to the States I feel like a fish out of water. Because, I know this really and truly is not my home. So please pray for my transition process physically, as I find myself getting sick a lot lately, emotionally, as it is hard to be here, and spiritually as I am trying to seek the Lord's face back in the States as well.
Transition is a hard thing, plain and simple. The Lord has me here for a reason and a purpose, and it is my job to keep loving, keep seeking, and keep following Him. I can not thank you enough for reading along with my blogs for the summer, and I hope that you have read something that speaks to you because the Lord has been speaking so much to me this summer. Thank you for the prayers because they are so appreciated. I love each and every one of you guys and I am so thankful that the Lord has put you in my life.
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Genesis 28:15
Well it's the day I have been dreading since I knew that I was coming on this trip. The day that I have to leave my heart here in Ecuador. But more of that later. This last week has been one of the best weeks of my life as we worked with 3 groups from Florida, Arkansas, and Kentucky in the jungle for one of our kids camps. We had 190 children in total at the camp, and it is a miracle in itself that we fit that much people in the camp. I was able to teach English, one of my favorite things in the whole world. It was so much fun to see kids learning another language! The children in the jungle are very different because they literally have nothing, but have everything at the same time. These children passionately love Jesus and it is so obvious in their worship and ways. It was a great week to spend with these children and experience the Lord in a different way. So many fun times and funny experiences that I can't wait to share with all of you. Thursday, I got the privilege of working with the other staff in La Tangugha in a medical clinic. I was one of the translators for the glasses department, and it was such a blessing to watch some people being able to see for the first time. I have always had a heart for people that can't see because I have had glasses since I was 5, and my eyesight is so bad that doctors say that they can not even fix it with surgery. So my heart goes out to people like these.
The last couple of days have been some of the hardest of my life. I have had to say so many see-you-laters that my heart is literally in my stomach and is aching. The people I have met here are so incredible and have become my family. I know you must get tired of me posting that on Facebook and Instagram and on here, but I mean what I say. Chacauco is my home and the staff is my family. Each staff member is so incredible and brings something different to the table that no one else brings. My heart is breaking as I say see-you-later to people that I have known since I was 14 and have invested and poured so much into my life. This summer has been unforgettable to say the least, and has been a real game changer in my life and what I want to do for the rest of my life. The Lord has given me so much clarity on areas that I needed clarity about my future. As many of you know, my heart is in orphanages and that I am going to open one, one day. This summer the Lord has shown me so many things and so many options that I know that's what I am going to do for the rest of my life. The Lord has even shown me a city and ways to open an orphanage in that city, and I am so grateful and excited for what the future holds for me.
Now, many people have asked me if I am coming back to Chacauco next summer, and I will tell you the honest truth: I have no earthly idea. I know Ecuador is where God wants me, but due to some scholarship and school things I am not sure if I will be able to come to Chacauco next summer, even though that breaks my heart even more. But, I am trusting the Lord because He knows the plans for me and His plans are precious, prosperous, and perfect for my life. And who am I to say no to His perfect plan? I am hoping that I will return and praying, but we will just have to see what happens with my school and the scholarship requirements. I know that ALL things work together for my good, whether I can see it or not. Despite sorrow and uncertainty I am clinging to one very, very, very important verse that the Lord has promised me.
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you"
Genesis 28:15
"Yo estoy contigo. Te protegeré por dondequiera que vayas, y te traeré de vuelta a esta tierra. No te abandonaré hasta cumplir con todo lo que te he prometido"
Génesis 28:15
Thank you so much for reading along with me in this journey. I love you all so much!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
The last couple of days have been some of the hardest of my life. I have had to say so many see-you-laters that my heart is literally in my stomach and is aching. The people I have met here are so incredible and have become my family. I know you must get tired of me posting that on Facebook and Instagram and on here, but I mean what I say. Chacauco is my home and the staff is my family. Each staff member is so incredible and brings something different to the table that no one else brings. My heart is breaking as I say see-you-later to people that I have known since I was 14 and have invested and poured so much into my life. This summer has been unforgettable to say the least, and has been a real game changer in my life and what I want to do for the rest of my life. The Lord has given me so much clarity on areas that I needed clarity about my future. As many of you know, my heart is in orphanages and that I am going to open one, one day. This summer the Lord has shown me so many things and so many options that I know that's what I am going to do for the rest of my life. The Lord has even shown me a city and ways to open an orphanage in that city, and I am so grateful and excited for what the future holds for me.
Now, many people have asked me if I am coming back to Chacauco next summer, and I will tell you the honest truth: I have no earthly idea. I know Ecuador is where God wants me, but due to some scholarship and school things I am not sure if I will be able to come to Chacauco next summer, even though that breaks my heart even more. But, I am trusting the Lord because He knows the plans for me and His plans are precious, prosperous, and perfect for my life. And who am I to say no to His perfect plan? I am hoping that I will return and praying, but we will just have to see what happens with my school and the scholarship requirements. I know that ALL things work together for my good, whether I can see it or not. Despite sorrow and uncertainty I am clinging to one very, very, very important verse that the Lord has promised me.
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you"
Genesis 28:15
"Yo estoy contigo. Te protegeré por dondequiera que vayas, y te traeré de vuelta a esta tierra. No te abandonaré hasta cumplir con todo lo que te he prometido"
Génesis 28:15
Thank you so much for reading along with me in this journey. I love you all so much!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Saturday, July 20, 2013
My cup overflows
My heart is filled to the max and is overflowing with joy from the Lord from this last couple of weeks. We had a group from Fairdale in Louisville, Kentucky and Grandview from the Dallas area of Texas. It was such a blessing to be able to work with them because they were such good groups! We worked in a nice community in Ambato and did VBS with their children there. We had 100 children each day, if not more, which is incredible growth for the children's ministry in that area. They recognized about 6 of the children that come each Sunday. So that means that 94 of those children were new to the church and some hearing the gospel for the first time. That is so incredible to me that some of the children had heard the gospel for the first time!!! How exciting! We had an incredible week working with the children, but also working with the Apatug community, the same community that suffered persecution that I spoke of earlier in my blog. We did construction and did much needed cleaning up the area, and the people were so appreciative of the help that we gave them that they made us qui, guinea pig. Now some people were really grossed out by this since it was served as a whole guinea pig, but it is so good! Qui is the nicest form of appreciation that the Quechua people can give us. It is a rarity and used only for the best occasions. I love the Apatug community so much, and it broke my heart to see them one last time last Thursday night.
On a happier note, many of you know that my birthday was yesterday and it was such a wonderful day. My wonderful roomies sang to me at midnight and brought me balloons, a card, and a beautiful scarf. I am so blessed to be rooming and living with the best people in the world. I love you Michelle, Carolina, Andy, Alejandra, and Michaela!! After many disrupted plans, I went to Ambato (my favorite city in the world) to shop and eat with a couple of the interns and it was so much fun! And eventually yes, my face was smashed into a cake. Gotta love Ecuadorian traditions. I was reminded throughout the whole day that even though my heart is breaking just at the thought that my time here is now reduced to a week, The Lord has blessed me incredibly here. With incredible friends and family, my cup truly is overflowing. Blessed can not even begin to explain how I feel. Please continue to pray for me as I am traveling to the jungle today until Wednesday to do a children's camp where I will be a part of a team, and teaching English! I am so excited about that!
Also, pray for me emotionally. My mind is consumed of thoughts about leaving, and it absolutely breaks my heart to the point of tears. Pray for my transition back into the States, as I know I will feel so out of place. Thank you so much for the prayers! I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
On a happier note, many of you know that my birthday was yesterday and it was such a wonderful day. My wonderful roomies sang to me at midnight and brought me balloons, a card, and a beautiful scarf. I am so blessed to be rooming and living with the best people in the world. I love you Michelle, Carolina, Andy, Alejandra, and Michaela!! After many disrupted plans, I went to Ambato (my favorite city in the world) to shop and eat with a couple of the interns and it was so much fun! And eventually yes, my face was smashed into a cake. Gotta love Ecuadorian traditions. I was reminded throughout the whole day that even though my heart is breaking just at the thought that my time here is now reduced to a week, The Lord has blessed me incredibly here. With incredible friends and family, my cup truly is overflowing. Blessed can not even begin to explain how I feel. Please continue to pray for me as I am traveling to the jungle today until Wednesday to do a children's camp where I will be a part of a team, and teaching English! I am so excited about that!
Also, pray for me emotionally. My mind is consumed of thoughts about leaving, and it absolutely breaks my heart to the point of tears. Pray for my transition back into the States, as I know I will feel so out of place. Thank you so much for the prayers! I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Thursday, July 11, 2013
To be and make disciples
Thank you so much to the ones that have been praying for me during this week during our first youth camp of the summer! I can honestly say that it was one of the best weeks of my life. We had youth from literally all over the country come to hear about the one true God for four days. And it was an amazing four days at that. We have had changes at the camp recently as we have lost two interns for the summer, Anna Sanders and Tori Walker, so continue praying for them as Anna starts her senior year and Tori starts her first year at the University of Kentucky (yuck, I know). But we have gained one new intern named Tyson Lott from Montgomery, Alabama who is about to be a junior at Auburn. Pray for Tyson as he begins his five week internship here!
Update on Seth Peacock: He was very sick a couple of days ago, but received a shot, lots of medication, and lots of sleep and is doing much better! Unfortunately, he leaves tomorrow to make his journey home on Saturday night, so please pray for safe travels for him! Seth has been a big blessing to the camp, and we will miss him so much! I hate to see him go partially because I know I leave two weeks after him, and my heart is starting to break, but we are not going to talk about that here!
The youth camp was probably one of the best weeks of my life in all honesty. It was so great to see youth that passionately love Jesus with their whole heart, and so encouraging for me. But my favorite part wasn't the games, the competitions, the band, the speaker. My favorite part of the whole week occurred Tuesday night. The theme of the conference was to be and make disciples. We talked the four days about what it means to be imitators of Christ and what that looks like in modern day life. At Tuesday night we talked a lot about serving one another and at the end of the conference we had a foot washing ceremony. I personally did not get to wash feet but watching the process was one of the most humbling and amazing experiences I have ever witnessed. As I watched tears stream down the Ecuadorian youths' faces, my feelings will never be explainable. I was reminded of when Jesus washed his disciples feet, and I immediately identified with their feelings of unworthiness. I placed myself in the position of the disciples and realized the incredible worth of this ceremony. I can never put in words what the Lord did in my heart that night, but it was a life-changing, perspective-changing experience that I will never forget. I hope and pray that you all can experience that ceremony, because I can not even try to explain the significance and the ultimate humbling experience.
I am being amazed by the Lord every day in a different area. For that day it was the incredible, unfailing, unchanging love that our father has for us. And that night I got a little glimpse of that love in a different country with different people, in a totally different language but the same love and the same act of love that Jesus did for his disciples.
Things like these happen every day around here. The Lord is so prevalent here, but he works in a different way in my life every day to show the same love He has for me. I have had the absolute best time here in Ecuador, and my heart is breaking every time I think about going back to the states in just two short weeks. I have done so many fun things and met so many incredible people, that all I can think is: this is my home. I can't imagine how out of place I am going to feel when I go back to the States, so begin praying for me in that period of transition. I have been coming in contact with different people every week, leading worship every weak with the incredibly talented Seth Peacock, seen so many things that I have been changed from the inside out all over again!
I can never thank you for the outpoural of prayers on my life! Keep praying for us as we have a youth camp in the jungle next week, but I am staying at the mountain camp to help with a VBS here. So many exciting things are happening as I am going white water rafting tomorrow (for the ones that know my story of last year, I am securing my self in that raft so what happened last year will not be repeated)! And my birthday is next week and I AM SO EXCITED! Thank you and I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Update on Seth Peacock: He was very sick a couple of days ago, but received a shot, lots of medication, and lots of sleep and is doing much better! Unfortunately, he leaves tomorrow to make his journey home on Saturday night, so please pray for safe travels for him! Seth has been a big blessing to the camp, and we will miss him so much! I hate to see him go partially because I know I leave two weeks after him, and my heart is starting to break, but we are not going to talk about that here!
The youth camp was probably one of the best weeks of my life in all honesty. It was so great to see youth that passionately love Jesus with their whole heart, and so encouraging for me. But my favorite part wasn't the games, the competitions, the band, the speaker. My favorite part of the whole week occurred Tuesday night. The theme of the conference was to be and make disciples. We talked the four days about what it means to be imitators of Christ and what that looks like in modern day life. At Tuesday night we talked a lot about serving one another and at the end of the conference we had a foot washing ceremony. I personally did not get to wash feet but watching the process was one of the most humbling and amazing experiences I have ever witnessed. As I watched tears stream down the Ecuadorian youths' faces, my feelings will never be explainable. I was reminded of when Jesus washed his disciples feet, and I immediately identified with their feelings of unworthiness. I placed myself in the position of the disciples and realized the incredible worth of this ceremony. I can never put in words what the Lord did in my heart that night, but it was a life-changing, perspective-changing experience that I will never forget. I hope and pray that you all can experience that ceremony, because I can not even try to explain the significance and the ultimate humbling experience.
I am being amazed by the Lord every day in a different area. For that day it was the incredible, unfailing, unchanging love that our father has for us. And that night I got a little glimpse of that love in a different country with different people, in a totally different language but the same love and the same act of love that Jesus did for his disciples.
Things like these happen every day around here. The Lord is so prevalent here, but he works in a different way in my life every day to show the same love He has for me. I have had the absolute best time here in Ecuador, and my heart is breaking every time I think about going back to the states in just two short weeks. I have done so many fun things and met so many incredible people, that all I can think is: this is my home. I can't imagine how out of place I am going to feel when I go back to the States, so begin praying for me in that period of transition. I have been coming in contact with different people every week, leading worship every weak with the incredibly talented Seth Peacock, seen so many things that I have been changed from the inside out all over again!
I can never thank you for the outpoural of prayers on my life! Keep praying for us as we have a youth camp in the jungle next week, but I am staying at the mountain camp to help with a VBS here. So many exciting things are happening as I am going white water rafting tomorrow (for the ones that know my story of last year, I am securing my self in that raft so what happened last year will not be repeated)! And my birthday is next week and I AM SO EXCITED! Thank you and I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Galatians 6:9
Life is going by so fast here in Ecuador, but I am having the greatest time here in Ecuador! We have just finished the first real big children's camp and It was so much fun! We had four different teams throughout the camp, rojo, azul, amarillo, and verde (the best team). We were originally expecting 100-120 children, but ended up with 47 wonderful children! The government kept changing the day that children were out of school, and the camp ended up being when many children had final exams. But 100 children or not we had a wonderful time with these children. These children came from different backgrounds, different stories, different lifestyles that what I am accustomed too. We had devotionals, a talent show, a hike, an excursion to the pool, a bonfire, but most importantly we showed the children about the only thing that mattered the whole weekend: Jesus Christ. I had one of the best times of my life, but I was plagued with weariness the whole weekend, due to me getting barely any sleep while sleeping with the girls in the dorm the whole week. The Lord brought the verse Galatians 6:9 to my mind throughout the whole weekend, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up". Sometimes, it is easy to think that the work I do here is pointless, because I will never see the fruit of the harvest that I am sowing. I see the children for a couple days, pour out the love of Jesus, and never see them again. And to be honest, that can be frustrating at times, But, it gives me hope that I will eventually see what a simple VBS and being the light of Jesus can do in a child's and adult's life. And that is so exciting! This kid's camp opened my eyes to the different back grounds that the children come from. My heart was broken for one child that I noticed that kept to himself the whole weekend. I asked one of the staff here at Chacauco what was going on, and they said that his parents had just gotten a divorce recently and it was impacting the child in a negative way. Stories like these filled the camp, and it broke my heart to see children hurting and coming from different points of life to experience this radical message of Jesus Christ. It was such a good week with the kids and to see them take in the gospel, some of them for the first time was such a privilege.
Continue to pray for us here at Chacauco as we begin our youth camp tomorrow! It will last until Wednesday, and I am so excited to see what God will do! Continue praying for me as I have only 3 1/2 weeks left and it breaks my heart to think about it!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Continue to pray for us here at Chacauco as we begin our youth camp tomorrow! It will last until Wednesday, and I am so excited to see what God will do! Continue praying for me as I have only 3 1/2 weeks left and it breaks my heart to think about it!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Forever Love
The last couple of weeks have been a little less than chaotic to say the least! Bringing groups, taking them home, going to the jungle have just been a few of my many activities lately! I feel like my life is a remote control and the fast forward button is constantly in play. It has been already one month since I got here and all I want is life to just slow down, so I can enjoy every moment, every minute, every hour of what God has called me to do. I have had the best time so far with the best staff in the world. We have 13 interns this year, but only 12 are present right now as the last one is coming in a couple weeks. Hannah Perkins from Texas, Anna Sanders from Georgia, Shiloh Barrow from Texas, James Wallace from Auburn, Alabama, Noah Farley from Florida, Seth Peacock from the good ole G-dale, Tori Walker from Kentucky, Emma Armstrong from Montgomery, Alabama, Michaela Charanza from Texas, Taylor Vaughan from Texas, Chris Yancey from Hoover, Alabama, myself of course, and eventually Tyson Lott from Montgomery, Alabama. Please be in prayer for us as we serve together and pray for unity and clarity. I could not of asked for better people to work with this summer.
This past Sunday the staff and two groups one from Boon, North Carolina, and Tupelo, Mississippi, we headed down to the jungle and we had one of the best times in the world. But before we left, I was very sick and was told that I had the flu, which is not what I needed at all. A real slap in the face if I say so myself. I was reminded of the verse in Galatians 6 that says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (verse 9). The day before we left I slept the whole day and was awake for 6 hours. I woke up the next day feeling a little better and decided to make the four hour treck down to el selva. During the four hour trip I started to think about how, why, what made me sick. So many people told me this was an attack from Satan, and that I should keep doing what I've been doing. But I started to think, what if this is God's way of getting my attention? Not to share my personal thoughts on a blog, but I have been struggling on where my focus should be on this trip. Obviously it should be on the Lord, but sometimes I get so caught up in pleasing people, even doing good things, but sometimes my focus waivers. It's true that this sickness could be an attack from the enemy, but I truly think that this was God getting my attention. He spoke so clearly when I was sick, because I was so dependent on Him and no one else. My attention was all His, and I could hear Him speaking via His word and other friends that isn't this where my attention should be? I am truly thankful that this happened because I feel rejuvenated in Him.
The jungle trip was such a blessing, because I felt so close to the Lord. Not that I don't when I am at the mountain camp, but it is a different environment, different culture, and a lot less dependent on technology (which is my favorite part). A no distraction environment. I actually prefer the cold showers, no technology, hot jungle camp to the hot water, technology, cool mountain camp, surprisingly. It is inexplicable, you can only experience it to know what I am talking about. But, the mountain camp has been incredible as well! We are currently working with children in First Church at Ambato. Last night, we were given the incredible opportunity to give out Samitarian Purse Operation Christmas Child Boxes to the church in Apatug, a Quechua speaking church the same church that faced the persecution that I wrote about earlier. This was my second time to partner with Samiritan's purse with the shoe boxes, and it was such an amazing experience. In Ecuadorian culture, the Quechua are the lowest of low, and it was such a privilege to see these children open the boxes with inexplicable joy. I watched with tears pouring down my face as these children opened up boxes with things that we find at the Dollar Tree. But if you saw their faces, you could've promised that a million dollars was in those boxes. But the most important gift they received was not the cheap toys, toothbrushes, clothes, pictures of the gringos that sent them the things, but the opportunity to learn about our Lord Jesus Christ and the ultimate gift that He gave. It was such a humbling experience, and I got to experience it today and tomorrow as well. I kept thinking of the song, Forever Love, by Francesca Battestelli. I was reminded of the immense love that the Lord has for us:
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
From the bottom of my heart I'll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I'll run to You
Cause all that I've become I owe to You
Go listen to it when you have a chance! WONDERFUL song. One of the best love songs of all time, and will be played at my wedding. But nothing beats the love of our Savior.
Thank you for the continual prayers! I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
This past Sunday the staff and two groups one from Boon, North Carolina, and Tupelo, Mississippi, we headed down to the jungle and we had one of the best times in the world. But before we left, I was very sick and was told that I had the flu, which is not what I needed at all. A real slap in the face if I say so myself. I was reminded of the verse in Galatians 6 that says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (verse 9). The day before we left I slept the whole day and was awake for 6 hours. I woke up the next day feeling a little better and decided to make the four hour treck down to el selva. During the four hour trip I started to think about how, why, what made me sick. So many people told me this was an attack from Satan, and that I should keep doing what I've been doing. But I started to think, what if this is God's way of getting my attention? Not to share my personal thoughts on a blog, but I have been struggling on where my focus should be on this trip. Obviously it should be on the Lord, but sometimes I get so caught up in pleasing people, even doing good things, but sometimes my focus waivers. It's true that this sickness could be an attack from the enemy, but I truly think that this was God getting my attention. He spoke so clearly when I was sick, because I was so dependent on Him and no one else. My attention was all His, and I could hear Him speaking via His word and other friends that isn't this where my attention should be? I am truly thankful that this happened because I feel rejuvenated in Him.
The jungle trip was such a blessing, because I felt so close to the Lord. Not that I don't when I am at the mountain camp, but it is a different environment, different culture, and a lot less dependent on technology (which is my favorite part). A no distraction environment. I actually prefer the cold showers, no technology, hot jungle camp to the hot water, technology, cool mountain camp, surprisingly. It is inexplicable, you can only experience it to know what I am talking about. But, the mountain camp has been incredible as well! We are currently working with children in First Church at Ambato. Last night, we were given the incredible opportunity to give out Samitarian Purse Operation Christmas Child Boxes to the church in Apatug, a Quechua speaking church the same church that faced the persecution that I wrote about earlier. This was my second time to partner with Samiritan's purse with the shoe boxes, and it was such an amazing experience. In Ecuadorian culture, the Quechua are the lowest of low, and it was such a privilege to see these children open the boxes with inexplicable joy. I watched with tears pouring down my face as these children opened up boxes with things that we find at the Dollar Tree. But if you saw their faces, you could've promised that a million dollars was in those boxes. But the most important gift they received was not the cheap toys, toothbrushes, clothes, pictures of the gringos that sent them the things, but the opportunity to learn about our Lord Jesus Christ and the ultimate gift that He gave. It was such a humbling experience, and I got to experience it today and tomorrow as well. I kept thinking of the song, Forever Love, by Francesca Battestelli. I was reminded of the immense love that the Lord has for us:
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
From the bottom of my heart I'll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I'll run to You
Cause all that I've become I owe to You
Go listen to it when you have a chance! WONDERFUL song. One of the best love songs of all time, and will be played at my wedding. But nothing beats the love of our Savior.
Thank you for the continual prayers! I love you all!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Friday, June 14, 2013
La Selva
Well I just got back from the jungle for 4 days, and I am so excited that I can feel clean and refreshed compared to feeling nasty and smelling like sweat. Despite the nastiness, I had such a wonderful time. Life is so different down there. Different plants, different animals, different pace, different people. And for once, I am thinking that different is a good thing. The land is some of the most beautiful land in the world. I can never, ever describe the gorgeousness of the land with my simple human words. Sure, it was hot and HUMID, but the people there.... YALL. So beautiful on the outside, but even more beautiful on the inside. The Chacauco staff and the Gardendale group were split in to two groups to work in two different places, Archidona and a place that I can't pronounce that had never had evangelical intervention before. And of course, I went to the place I can't pronounce. It was such a blessing to sit back and watch the kids hear the gospel for the first time.. ever. I will always remember how we arrived and how the kids greeted us. We had to travel down a road (if you could call it that) for 20 minutes in the middle of the jungle, to a tiny school with about 20 kids on the first day, all barefoot and mud caked. So excited to see us gringos. So excited to see what and who this "Jesus" is and what He is about. The next day we made so much of an impact that the school had us come in during the school day and tell the gospel to the whole school. Talk about a humbling experience. I thought, Lord I don't deserve this blessing and privilege. For all the times I have goofed up, messed up, failed You Lord, I don't deserve to come to this community and watch them take in the gospel for the first time. But, Lord I am so glad you look past all my problems, my issues, my hang ups, and you still call me to proclaim your name. The Lord has put a song on my heart lately and I would love to share it with you all.
"Rooftops" - Jesus Culture
So thank you for reading along again! Gardendale left about 5 hours ago and I miss them so much already! They were such a blessing as they were constantly working and being servants of the Lord, which isn't surprising. Since their leader is one of my favorite people in the world, and the definition of servant leadership I'm not surprised that this group was like that! Pray for me as I begin this journey after Gardendale and particularly against discouragement, since my camera broke yesterday afternoon, and am now reduced to taking pictures on my phone. Satan uses anything and everything to distract me from the Lord's purpose and will! I love you all and thank you!
Morgana Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
"Rooftops" - Jesus Culture
Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truthKnowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this placeBecause of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I giveSo I stand before You, GodI lift my voice cause You set me free
So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaimThat I am Yours, I am Yours
All the good You've done for me, I lift up my hands for all to seeYou're the only one who brings me to my kneesTo share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worthSo I kneel before You, GodI lift my hands cause You set me free
So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaimThat I am Yours, I am YoursAll that I am, I place into Your loving handsAnd I am Yours, I am Yours
Here I am, I stand, with arms wide openTo the One, the Son, the Everlasting God
So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaimThat I am Yours, I am Yours
All the good You've done for me, I lift up my hands for all to seeYou're the only one who brings me to my kneesTo share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worthSo I kneel before You, GodI lift my hands cause You set me free
So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaimThat I am Yours, I am YoursAll that I am, I place into Your loving handsAnd I am Yours, I am Yours
Here I am, I stand, with arms wide openTo the One, the Son, the Everlasting God
So thank you for reading along again! Gardendale left about 5 hours ago and I miss them so much already! They were such a blessing as they were constantly working and being servants of the Lord, which isn't surprising. Since their leader is one of my favorite people in the world, and the definition of servant leadership I'm not surprised that this group was like that! Pray for me as I begin this journey after Gardendale and particularly against discouragement, since my camera broke yesterday afternoon, and am now reduced to taking pictures on my phone. Satan uses anything and everything to distract me from the Lord's purpose and will! I love you all and thank you!
Morgana Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Friday, June 7, 2013
The golden calf
IT'S OFFICIAL. I have survived my first week here in Ecuador, and can I just say.... it has been crazy! Weddings, baby dedications, a full week of VBS, painting a daycare, and standing in the middle of a cloud (which is the coolest part). It has been so nice getting back into the swing of things and seeing the Chacauco staff that I love oh so much! It has been so busy with a loaded schedule, and about to get even crazier as we embark on a three day camp tonight and going to the jungle next week! But even more importantly, Gardendale is coming in just a few minutes and I am so excited to see my daddy and my friends! This week has been filled with excitement, love, and challenges. I've been struggling with the concept of love. I have been reading in 1 Peter lately for my quiet time, and have found the expression "deeply love" very constant. I was thinking and praying, "Lord I am here with the people I love so much, doing what I love so much, what are you trying to teach me?". Then it hit me like a brick wall. Do I love these people and this country more than I love the Lord? Anything.. let me repeat. Anything and everything that comes between my relationship with the Lord is an idol. I totally experienced a V8 moment. If you hear the name Morgan Ramsey, many people think the girl that goes to Ecuador all the time. And that's cool and everything, but that's not what I want to be known for. I want to be known as the girl that passionately loves Jesus, and wants to serve her Lord wherever He calls, Ecuador or not.
The Lord has speaking to me and saying is Ecuador your golden calf? Is it my idol that I love more than the Lord? I sure hope the answer is no, but it is something I am chewing on. I want to the love the Lord with my whole being, not just because He has called me to serve this summer in Ecuador, not just because he has called me to the mission field, but because He first loved me, because He gave His life for the wacked up messed up me. Because He is my redeemer, Savior, lover of my soul, healer, my counselor, my King, my Lord, my Alpha and Omega. Do I/we deserve this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. We will never deserve his grace and love. Who are we to give anything less to the Lord of all creation.
So pray for me as I come to grasp this concept. I pray the Lord transforms my heart this summer in a new way. Not for more love of Ecuador or its people, but more of Him. Thank you for praying for me through this journey! I love you all and thank you for reading along!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
The Lord has speaking to me and saying is Ecuador your golden calf? Is it my idol that I love more than the Lord? I sure hope the answer is no, but it is something I am chewing on. I want to the love the Lord with my whole being, not just because He has called me to serve this summer in Ecuador, not just because he has called me to the mission field, but because He first loved me, because He gave His life for the wacked up messed up me. Because He is my redeemer, Savior, lover of my soul, healer, my counselor, my King, my Lord, my Alpha and Omega. Do I/we deserve this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. We will never deserve his grace and love. Who are we to give anything less to the Lord of all creation.
So pray for me as I come to grasp this concept. I pray the Lord transforms my heart this summer in a new way. Not for more love of Ecuador or its people, but more of Him. Thank you for praying for me through this journey! I love you all and thank you for reading along!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Sunday, June 2, 2013
It's gonna be worth it
Man. I'm finally here, doing what I've been wanting to do for almost a year! So much craziness, as my friend Mauricio would say. Where do I begin.. Such a long flight, such a long day, and such a long night it was on Friday. I think I went to bed at 5:00 AM that night, and got up at 7:00, two hours later. I'm still trying to recuperate from that night. But, God is still good and is still on his throne.
Today was one of the coolest days of my life. We went to a wedding in a city called Apatug and witnessed God's beautiful hand on this couple's life. This couple got officially married three years ago, and just now had their ceremony in the church. The couple was married as unbelievers to begin with, but the husband came to know the Lord one year later, and the wife came to know the Lord this past January. They decided that they wanted to have their ceremony in the church in order to give all glory to the Lord. The wedding lasted almost three hours, not including the night long reception at the grooms house and then the brides home. It is SO different from American weddings, like.. SO different. There is so much information I couldn't possibly write it all down, but it was so incredible.
But, the wedding wasn't the coolest part of my day. Brother Steve, the missionary I am interning with, talked about the story of the town of Apatug. A group of 11 people heard about a folklore concert in town and decided to go hear it. What they didn't know was it was a Christian folklore concert. (Background: Ecuador is very Catholic, and during the 1970's-80's there was heavy persecution upon Christians). These 11 because born again believers and began meeting in one of their houses for bible study. Long story short, the Catholic Church found out about these secret meetings, and stormed their house. The church even waited 2 days for them to come out, and eventually tore the house to the ground, literally. They took these 11 and beat them with sugar canes, making them bleed profusely, and then used bullnettle (a type of plant that releases sap that burns open wounds extremely) and put it all over their body. Then they stripped them naked (the worst offense you could ever do upon someone in this community), put ice cold water on them, and tied them up on a mountain (14,000 feet above sea level). Eventually, they untied themselves and went back to the house of rubble and STILL studied the word of the Lord. Please go back and read that sentence again, because I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. The person that told the missionary this story, was an agent of the Catholic Church that beat these people, but also was a father to one of the 11. He beat his daughter, stripped her naked, and embaressed her in front of the entire community. But out of persecution, this church in Apatug was born, and now is at 250 people, in a very tiny church. I mean totally packed out.
I started thinking about this, and I thought If I was beaten with sugar cane, If I was smothered with bullneetle, if I was stripped naked, If I was bathed in ice water, what would be my response? Give up? Would I go back and still follow the Lord? I hope the answer is yes, but these questions really make you think. I think in America, we don't understand persecution. I don't think we've begun to scratch the surface. It makes me think that people leave church because no one says hello to them, someone took their seat, they don't sing the solos, it's too much money, and all these petty reasons. MAN. How many true Christians are there in the world that would say," Lord I'm willing to give everything, my family, my friends, my job, my status, to follow you and endure persecution if I have to. I'm still trying to grasp this. I can only imagine the courage, strength, humbelness, fear these 11 had to still follow the Lord. Maybe they thought of the title of the wonderful song, "It's gonna be worth it." This song rips me apart when I hear it. Everything we endure here on this earth, deserving or not, is all going to be worth it when we see our Lord Jesus Christ, the redeemer and lover of our soul.
I hope you all pray through this concept with me as I begin to chew on this concept throughout this journey. Pray for us as we have a group from Kentucky, and we start VBS tommorrow. And then I see Gardendale on Thursday! I can't wait to see their group and work with them! Thank you for reading along and praying for me!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Today was one of the coolest days of my life. We went to a wedding in a city called Apatug and witnessed God's beautiful hand on this couple's life. This couple got officially married three years ago, and just now had their ceremony in the church. The couple was married as unbelievers to begin with, but the husband came to know the Lord one year later, and the wife came to know the Lord this past January. They decided that they wanted to have their ceremony in the church in order to give all glory to the Lord. The wedding lasted almost three hours, not including the night long reception at the grooms house and then the brides home. It is SO different from American weddings, like.. SO different. There is so much information I couldn't possibly write it all down, but it was so incredible.
But, the wedding wasn't the coolest part of my day. Brother Steve, the missionary I am interning with, talked about the story of the town of Apatug. A group of 11 people heard about a folklore concert in town and decided to go hear it. What they didn't know was it was a Christian folklore concert. (Background: Ecuador is very Catholic, and during the 1970's-80's there was heavy persecution upon Christians). These 11 because born again believers and began meeting in one of their houses for bible study. Long story short, the Catholic Church found out about these secret meetings, and stormed their house. The church even waited 2 days for them to come out, and eventually tore the house to the ground, literally. They took these 11 and beat them with sugar canes, making them bleed profusely, and then used bullnettle (a type of plant that releases sap that burns open wounds extremely) and put it all over their body. Then they stripped them naked (the worst offense you could ever do upon someone in this community), put ice cold water on them, and tied them up on a mountain (14,000 feet above sea level). Eventually, they untied themselves and went back to the house of rubble and STILL studied the word of the Lord. Please go back and read that sentence again, because I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. The person that told the missionary this story, was an agent of the Catholic Church that beat these people, but also was a father to one of the 11. He beat his daughter, stripped her naked, and embaressed her in front of the entire community. But out of persecution, this church in Apatug was born, and now is at 250 people, in a very tiny church. I mean totally packed out.
I started thinking about this, and I thought If I was beaten with sugar cane, If I was smothered with bullneetle, if I was stripped naked, If I was bathed in ice water, what would be my response? Give up? Would I go back and still follow the Lord? I hope the answer is yes, but these questions really make you think. I think in America, we don't understand persecution. I don't think we've begun to scratch the surface. It makes me think that people leave church because no one says hello to them, someone took their seat, they don't sing the solos, it's too much money, and all these petty reasons. MAN. How many true Christians are there in the world that would say," Lord I'm willing to give everything, my family, my friends, my job, my status, to follow you and endure persecution if I have to. I'm still trying to grasp this. I can only imagine the courage, strength, humbelness, fear these 11 had to still follow the Lord. Maybe they thought of the title of the wonderful song, "It's gonna be worth it." This song rips me apart when I hear it. Everything we endure here on this earth, deserving or not, is all going to be worth it when we see our Lord Jesus Christ, the redeemer and lover of our soul.
I hope you all pray through this concept with me as I begin to chew on this concept throughout this journey. Pray for us as we have a group from Kentucky, and we start VBS tommorrow. And then I see Gardendale on Thursday! I can't wait to see their group and work with them! Thank you for reading along and praying for me!
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Jesus, you are my Passion
The bags are packed, the hair is cut, the car is loaded, the alarm is set, the tickets are printed. I am looking at my bags experiencing a weird mixture of pure excitement and anxiousness. Excitement being due to serving the Lord for two months and doing exactly what I am called to do, and anxiousness due to traveling all day tomorrow and facing the unknown. So many emotions are crowding my head as I have said "see you laters" to so many loved ones this week, and the realization that I will not see them until I'm 19! So weird. But this Wednesday was a turning point in my emotions. Brother Roy McNiel spoke on Jeremiah 1 this past worship night at Oasis at Gardendale First Baptist Church. I had never really studied this passage, but can I just say it FLOORED me. It was exactly what I needed to hear, exactly WHEN I needed it! Not surprising, because my God is a God of specificity and timing. Here is what the passage says:
Jeremiah 1:5-10; 17-19 (NLT)
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations'. 'Oh Sovereign Lord', I said, 'I can't speak for you! I'm too young!' The Lord replied, 'Don't say I'm too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!' Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, 'Look I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant"
17-19
"Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land- the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord have spoken".
Man. When I heard this scripture, I literally felt as the force of the world jerked me back against my seat. I am truly called to not be afraid and tell the world what the Lord says and his good news. The exciting part of this, is I am not too young! Nor will I ever be to young nor too old to do God's will! WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT. To think I am literally going to live out his calling in less than 24 hours is crazy to me. But at the same time, I am reminded that yes, I am going to a foreign country to tell people about why I love Jesus, but am I not called to do the same here in los Estados Unidos? For who ever is reading this, don't feel like you have to move across the world for two months, give up all your belongings, your family, your friends, your everything. Because the Lord doesn't call us all to do that. We are to be LIGHT here and every where we go. Don't hide it under a bushel, because eventually that bushel will burn up! The Lord will have His way done, using me or without me.
The key is obedience. I am not saying I have it all together, because trust me I DON'T. This is something I am learning every day. I am called to follow the Lord where ever He leads, whenever He leads. And as I am taking this step of faith into the uncertain, I am learning to trust in His perfect plan, just like Abraham did. And I think Abraham turned out pretty well off :).
So thank you for reading, praying, fasting, and loving me, just as the body of Christ is supposed to. But, please don't stop here. I will be keeping up frequently throughout my faith experience in Ecuador. This journey is only beginning. And this is only the first chapter.
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Jesus Culture "You are my Passion"
I'm alive to bring, glory to You, King
God of victory, You are my passion It's in the way You are, You don't change at all Great and humble God, You are my passion
My strength in life, is I am Yours My soul delights because I am Yours Your will on earth is all I'm living for
Jesus I glorify Jesus my love is Yours You are my heart's desire I live to know You more
Light that breaks the darkness, showing what true love is Always full of goodness, You are my passion You never do me wrong, the meekest man but strong The most perfect song, You are my passion
Jeremiah 1:5-10; 17-19 (NLT)
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations'. 'Oh Sovereign Lord', I said, 'I can't speak for you! I'm too young!' The Lord replied, 'Don't say I'm too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!' Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, 'Look I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant"
17-19
"Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land- the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord have spoken".
Man. When I heard this scripture, I literally felt as the force of the world jerked me back against my seat. I am truly called to not be afraid and tell the world what the Lord says and his good news. The exciting part of this, is I am not too young! Nor will I ever be to young nor too old to do God's will! WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT. To think I am literally going to live out his calling in less than 24 hours is crazy to me. But at the same time, I am reminded that yes, I am going to a foreign country to tell people about why I love Jesus, but am I not called to do the same here in los Estados Unidos? For who ever is reading this, don't feel like you have to move across the world for two months, give up all your belongings, your family, your friends, your everything. Because the Lord doesn't call us all to do that. We are to be LIGHT here and every where we go. Don't hide it under a bushel, because eventually that bushel will burn up! The Lord will have His way done, using me or without me.
The key is obedience. I am not saying I have it all together, because trust me I DON'T. This is something I am learning every day. I am called to follow the Lord where ever He leads, whenever He leads. And as I am taking this step of faith into the uncertain, I am learning to trust in His perfect plan, just like Abraham did. And I think Abraham turned out pretty well off :).
So thank you for reading, praying, fasting, and loving me, just as the body of Christ is supposed to. But, please don't stop here. I will be keeping up frequently throughout my faith experience in Ecuador. This journey is only beginning. And this is only the first chapter.
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Jesus Culture "You are my Passion"
I'm alive to bring, glory to You, King
God of victory, You are my passion It's in the way You are, You don't change at all Great and humble God, You are my passion
My strength in life, is I am Yours My soul delights because I am Yours Your will on earth is all I'm living for
Jesus I glorify Jesus my love is Yours You are my heart's desire I live to know You more
Light that breaks the darkness, showing what true love is Always full of goodness, You are my passion You never do me wrong, the meekest man but strong The most perfect song, You are my passion
Saturday, May 18, 2013
TWO WEEKS AND COUNTING!
1 Week, 5 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes, and 8 seconds until that wonderful day when I board the plane for Ecuador, South America for two months! ISN'T THAT CRAZY? I feel like I was just starting my freshman year at Samford, and seeking the Lord's face on what to do for this summer. This year has flown by and I am sitting here wondering, where in the world did it go? I feel like I just started band camp last week and had my first class yesterday! I could never express in words the wonderful experiences I have had at Samford and the Jesus-reflective friends I have made. I MISS THEM ALREADY. These past few weeks have been crazy with finals, and so sad with saying goodbyes to my friends for the summer. To say thank you to the people that have made my freshman year so spectacular, would be an inadequate use of my gratitude. So, I thank the Lord Jesus the ultimate reason of where I am, and who I have met. I have been blessed MORE than I ever will deserve.
All of this to say, I am where I am because of the Lord Jesus; plain and simple. His call on my life into missions is about to play out in less than two weeks and I am so nervous and excited all in one. Isn't that weird? I keep thinking to myself to calm my heart, Kari Jobe's lyrics to Run to you, "Lord you are calling me and beckoning me, with love abounding. And I run to you. I need you... I can't get enough of you. I come alive when I am in your presence. Oh God of my salvation." So many thoughts are running through my mind like, "I need to get shampoo, I need to get my medicine, I need to make a copy of my passport, I need money for this and that", and God has been reminding me in all of this that all I need is Him. My mind is stressed to the max with "to-do's"and He is beckoning me to run to Him and find his overwhelming peace. As Sarah Young would say, I am learning to make the Lord my focal point in all circumstances. As silly as it sounds, in EVERY situation I am learning to say Lord, I need you. This includes me saying this in grocery trips, raising my money to go, and packing my suitcase. "Lord I need you when picking out my shampoo, Lord I need you to provide the money, Lord I need you to give me rest, Lord I need you in every instance in my life. Every little thing Lord, I need you. Because, Lord you are my everything.
Please pray for me as these last weeks here in los Estados Unidos are numbered and out of control busy! Pray for a peaceful heart as I fly from Birmingham to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Quito, my family as I leave them all summer (including during my 19th birthday), and my health! So many prayer requests I know, but I am praying this is a summer that will change my life, and that I will experience the Lord in a way in like no other. I want to come back so changed and mesmerized by the Lord and what He can do, that my heart is overflowing with the joy of the Lord. I keep singing a Kari Jobe song, (yall she is the best), "my heart will always sing, I love you, I love you." Despite circumstances I will always love the Lord, because of his sacrifice and his unconditional love towards me. Thank you so much for praying for me and reading along! I love you all!
"We will rise to praise you. Offer our lives before you. Let every nation, all of creation, we will rise. You are worthy, life up our eyes to your glory. Let every nation, all of creation, we will rise"
- Kari Jobe, shocker I know
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
All of this to say, I am where I am because of the Lord Jesus; plain and simple. His call on my life into missions is about to play out in less than two weeks and I am so nervous and excited all in one. Isn't that weird? I keep thinking to myself to calm my heart, Kari Jobe's lyrics to Run to you, "Lord you are calling me and beckoning me, with love abounding. And I run to you. I need you... I can't get enough of you. I come alive when I am in your presence. Oh God of my salvation." So many thoughts are running through my mind like, "I need to get shampoo, I need to get my medicine, I need to make a copy of my passport, I need money for this and that", and God has been reminding me in all of this that all I need is Him. My mind is stressed to the max with "to-do's"and He is beckoning me to run to Him and find his overwhelming peace. As Sarah Young would say, I am learning to make the Lord my focal point in all circumstances. As silly as it sounds, in EVERY situation I am learning to say Lord, I need you. This includes me saying this in grocery trips, raising my money to go, and packing my suitcase. "Lord I need you when picking out my shampoo, Lord I need you to provide the money, Lord I need you to give me rest, Lord I need you in every instance in my life. Every little thing Lord, I need you. Because, Lord you are my everything.
Please pray for me as these last weeks here in los Estados Unidos are numbered and out of control busy! Pray for a peaceful heart as I fly from Birmingham to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Quito, my family as I leave them all summer (including during my 19th birthday), and my health! So many prayer requests I know, but I am praying this is a summer that will change my life, and that I will experience the Lord in a way in like no other. I want to come back so changed and mesmerized by the Lord and what He can do, that my heart is overflowing with the joy of the Lord. I keep singing a Kari Jobe song, (yall she is the best), "my heart will always sing, I love you, I love you." Despite circumstances I will always love the Lord, because of his sacrifice and his unconditional love towards me. Thank you so much for praying for me and reading along! I love you all!
"We will rise to praise you. Offer our lives before you. Let every nation, all of creation, we will rise. You are worthy, life up our eyes to your glory. Let every nation, all of creation, we will rise"
- Kari Jobe, shocker I know
Morgan Ramsey
Isaiah 6:8
Sunday, March 31, 2013
2 month stretch!
As I reach this two month stretch of until I leave for Ecuador, I'm reflecting on so many things and preparing my heart for what is to come. First of all, thank you so much for reading along and praying for me as I take this journey of faith for 2 months. Words do not express the excitement I feel as I know I am going to be visibly and spiritually the hands and feet of our Lord. Last summer, I was an intern in Ecuador for about 1 month, and can I just say it was definitely not long enough. I don't know if I'll ever experience that "long enough" feeling. My thoughts are constantly consumed with returning and seeing the people I love oh so much.
As you think of me and pray for me throughout this journey pray for some specific things. 1) Please pray for safety as I travel via airplane, buses, cabs, practically anything with 4 wheels, I will be in. I will be in the mountains for about a month and a half at heights of 11,000 to 16,000 feet above sea level. (thats really, really high). I will be traveling to the jungle as well for about 2-3 weeks. It's a very humid and HOT climate, but I hear that the people are so genuine and just oozing Jesus. I am so excited, but I'm still getting used to the idea of ice cold showers, no air conditioning, no internet access. Talk about a real detox from American culture. (But I think thats what I'm excited about the most). 2). Health. Now this is big for me, and honestly this is what I am most anxious about. You may or not know, but I struggle with genetic high blood pressure. It's not a good feeling when my blood pressure is high. Also, last year I had bronchitis, which was a real hinderance for me. I felt completely ineffective, because I was so sick. Satan uses anything and everything to distract me from doing God's purpose, even using my health to distract me. 3). Pray for me to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. I want in Ecuador, and in America, for people to see me and see my savior Jesus Christ. If they see old sinful me, then what I am doing is pointless. I want the Lord to use me in a unique and powerful way this summer. I am so excited about what He is going to do, it keeps me up at night, literally. I can not wait to see salvations, re-dedications, baptisms, those precious children, and what the Lord is going to do through me, and Camp Chaucuo's WONDERFUL staff.
Excited is a severe understatement of what I feel, as I am getting closer and closer to leaving on my flight on May 31st. I have heard it said many times, that you are at your point of most happiness and JOY, when you are in the center of the Lord's will and living out His call for your life. I know, and as most of you know, that the Lord has called me to missions, and this is just the beginning of what He has in store for me. So right now, I am clinging to Psalms 46:10 to be still and know that he is the Lord, and he WILL draw all nations to himself. Thank you so much for reading and tagging along on my journey. Due to finals and the many obligations I have at my wonderful job and the absolutely wonderful Samford University, I will try to give you an update of when I can.
Isaiah 6:8, "And the Lord said who will be a messenger to the people and go for us? and I said Here am I. SEND ME."
Morgan Ramsey
As you think of me and pray for me throughout this journey pray for some specific things. 1) Please pray for safety as I travel via airplane, buses, cabs, practically anything with 4 wheels, I will be in. I will be in the mountains for about a month and a half at heights of 11,000 to 16,000 feet above sea level. (thats really, really high). I will be traveling to the jungle as well for about 2-3 weeks. It's a very humid and HOT climate, but I hear that the people are so genuine and just oozing Jesus. I am so excited, but I'm still getting used to the idea of ice cold showers, no air conditioning, no internet access. Talk about a real detox from American culture. (But I think thats what I'm excited about the most). 2). Health. Now this is big for me, and honestly this is what I am most anxious about. You may or not know, but I struggle with genetic high blood pressure. It's not a good feeling when my blood pressure is high. Also, last year I had bronchitis, which was a real hinderance for me. I felt completely ineffective, because I was so sick. Satan uses anything and everything to distract me from doing God's purpose, even using my health to distract me. 3). Pray for me to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. I want in Ecuador, and in America, for people to see me and see my savior Jesus Christ. If they see old sinful me, then what I am doing is pointless. I want the Lord to use me in a unique and powerful way this summer. I am so excited about what He is going to do, it keeps me up at night, literally. I can not wait to see salvations, re-dedications, baptisms, those precious children, and what the Lord is going to do through me, and Camp Chaucuo's WONDERFUL staff.
Excited is a severe understatement of what I feel, as I am getting closer and closer to leaving on my flight on May 31st. I have heard it said many times, that you are at your point of most happiness and JOY, when you are in the center of the Lord's will and living out His call for your life. I know, and as most of you know, that the Lord has called me to missions, and this is just the beginning of what He has in store for me. So right now, I am clinging to Psalms 46:10 to be still and know that he is the Lord, and he WILL draw all nations to himself. Thank you so much for reading and tagging along on my journey. Due to finals and the many obligations I have at my wonderful job and the absolutely wonderful Samford University, I will try to give you an update of when I can.
Isaiah 6:8, "And the Lord said who will be a messenger to the people and go for us? and I said Here am I. SEND ME."
Morgan Ramsey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)