What a Summer!

Woooh, it has been one busy summer! Missions trip to Colombia, Bolin family reunion, and now just 9 days till I'm headed down to Oral Roberts University! It's been forever since I've posted so I thought I might just give you a quick update! Colombia was absolutely life-changing and incredible. That's a whole post in itself! but here are a few pics to give you a tiny taste of what I experienced while in Bogota.

The Team- all 21 of us!

This is the township of Bogota we worked in, called Suba. We worked in an institute for children in this area to come and get a warm meal and get taught about Jesus. It is like a safe haven from their normal daily lives.

Pamela was one of my favorites. Her smile could brighten up a room and she was so eager to give you a huge hug and kiss!

We did lots of youth rallies. This one took place on sunday morning for the children. We taught them a worship song we had learned in spanish before we came. It is Mighty to Save by Hillsong United.
I washed lice out of Lorena's hair. She was such a sweetheart! We did lots of washing childrens' hair with lice shampoo. Although it probably doesn't help for long, it is another way to express love to the children.

This is Juanita. She is two years old and full of energy!

We stayed at this bible college in Bogota and woke up to this scenery every morning. :)

A group of the older girls posed for a picture with me

Another shot depicting the area in which we worked.
Karen was another favorite of mine. She has such a sweet spirit. The last day we were there she came to me and just bawled. She didn't want us to go. And when we ended our time at the Institute with a big praise party she was very reluctant and sad to begin with but then I got her up on her feet and God turned her mourning into dancing!
I loved all the ages of the children at the Institute! Here are some of the younger kiddos.

I miss it there so much and cannot wait to go back! It was my first missions trip and definitely not my last! God opened my heart and gave me a new worldview. He also revealed a new part of His heart to me through the childrens' joy even though they were suffering. Almost every child from the institute has a story and a broken home. I am so honored to be able to help bring the joy and love and light of Christ into the dark places in their lives. If you have never been out of the country on a missions trip, I challenge you to go. It is such a lifechanging experience and it is amazing how God will use you if you are open to his leading!