Guatemala

Guatemala

I just wanted to write a blog to celebrate one of my best friends, Colleen Cowart. Last May, Colleen left for a 6 month trip to Guatemala to live at New Life Children's Home. During those 6 months, she had to give up her own way of doing things and completely take on their way of life...UNCOMFORTABLE! When she returned, not only did she know Spanish from 6 weeks of language school and so much time spent around the people there, but it was like Jesus grabbed a hold of her heart and laid out who she is in HIM! Don't we all want that? In the midst of her closest friends getting married, getting engaged, getting "big girl jobs," Colleen took a step of faith a couple weeks after she graduated college and went.

Since she has been back in the states, she has known that it's only a matter of time until she is back there again with a commitment to stay for awhile. A couple weeks ago, she had the opportunity to go back and see her babies there. Well, while she was there the Lord confirmed that her next step is to make a 5 year commitment!! And she leaves in JUNE!!!! Crazy. Jesus calls us to do things that make us uncomfortable, and we have to make a choice if we are going to believe Him and follow through.

She has been such an inspiration in my life over the past five years.It seems like it was only yesterday that we were sharing crazy stories together in the Miami airport, during an 8 hour layover, after a mission trip to Honduras, going on and on about from where Jesus had brought us. She is crazy, and she has made me laugh so hard I peed myself many times. She also has some trendy plastic, clear high heels that she pulls out every now and then.Colleen is such a beautiful person, and it is so amazing and inspiring to see someone so close to me living the dream and fulfilling the purpose Jesus put in HER heart long ago. I know He is going to continue to make her story so beautiful!

Here's a recent update she sent from facebook today. You should check it out, be inspired, and pray!:

Colleen Cowart
Dear Sweet Friends I am so excited to announce today about my commitment to become a full time missionary at New Life Children's Home in Guatemala. I am making a 5 year commitment (though in my heart I believe it to be forever). I realized during my internship in Guatemala that more than anything I missed COMMUNITY, encouragement, and friends remaining informed of whats going on. In Statesboro I am having a supporters lunch to share what I will be doing and prayer/financial needs. If you live in or near the Statesboro area and would like to come to the lunch (its free!) please let me know you are interested along with a mailing address

For those who cannot attend I want to send a letter. I am asking God to show me a way of forming a support group that isn't about money but about me praying for you and you checking in on me and the ministry. If you are interested in being apart of that group please send me your address and I would LOVE to mail you information and put you in my ring of online blogs and newsletters.

If you have a small group that would be interested in hearing me speak I would love to do that as well

I am starting mission school in San Juan Texas this June so all of this is happening quickly, but clearly in Gods perfect timing. Thank you for who you are and what you mean to me!

In Him,
Colleen