An Update on Columbia!

      So, most if not all of you know that I am going to Columbia this summer for 8 days with Young Life Expeditions.  I am going down there as a volunteer to help Young Life Columbia run a summer camp for local teens.  I have no clue what my specific jobs will be when I get there, I just know that I will be assisting in whatever capacity they need me to.  This could include helping with meals, run activities, house keeping, ect.
    I am extremely excited for this opportunity.  I very nearly chickened out right before I sent in my deposit for the trip.  I am a little nervous and anxious about leaving the country and going way out of my comfort zone.  But ultimately I know God was pushing me to do so, to take a step of faith for him.  God has used Young Life in my life in huge ways.  He used the ministry to give me life, to show me Love, and to teach me how to live.  I am excited to give back to the ministry of Young Life and be a tool for Christ as he uses this ministry to reach teens across the world!
    My biggest reservation/fear about this trip was the financial commitment.  I need to raise about $2,000 to go.  That amount does not seem very large for a week long trip out of the country, but for me, I almost pooped my pants thinking about it.  I HATE asking for money, I HATE relying on other people.  In college I had to ask people for financial help at times and it drove me insane, and I knew this experience would also do so.  BUT it has not.  God has really been showing me that it is okay to let others help.  He has shown me that although it is me who is going down, the people who are supporting me have a large part in this and His greater plan!
    With that, the Lord is providing and thanks to some great friends I have raised about 50% of my goal!!!  And there are still several people who are supporting me that have not given me a physical check yet.  That is ridiculous!  And it greatly humbles me!
    Essentially, I just wanted to give a quick update about my trip.  And I wanted to shout praise to the Lord for being so awesome.  The people who are supporting me through financial giving, prayer, or both mean so much to me.  When I am in Columbia, they will be there as well!  So thank you to my friends!  And I look forward to writing a post about being fully funded with Airplane tickets booked!
Thanks!
For His Glory,
Opher

Sharing Some Thoughts

 I love to write.  It frees my thoughts, mind, and soul.  Tonight I started reading through some stuff that I have written over the years.  I am constantly surprised at some of the stuff that my tiny mind has produced.  Not that it is any poetic masterpiece or that it is even all that good.  But that when I read it, I can see where my heart was in that moment, I can feel the emotion coming out of me and can hear what I am trying to say to the Lord.  

I just wanted to share some that caught my attention tonight.

Hold me tight

Oh my Love tonight

Just be here with me

For when Hell breaks free

And oh it will indeed

But you are all I could ever need

So do hold me tight

Oh my Love tonight

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Write me a love song

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me grace

Loves unconditionally

I said Write me a love song

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me Grace

Loves unconditionally

Oh won’t you write me this love song

For I need it so

Down deep in my soul

This love song I know

This love song I know

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me grace

Loves unconditionally

Wont you, Wont you, wont you

Write me a love song

Just write me a love song

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Take my hand, hold it tight.  
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
Together we are one with love
For always and forever
Take my hand, hold it tight.
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
Side by side we move along
Confident in who we are
Take my hand, hold it tight.
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
By faith we love through it all.
For life is love and love is all
Take my hand, hold it tight
Walk with me into the Glorious light
Never turning back to the past
We are new and one with love
Take my hand, hold it tight
Walk with me into the glorious light.
Walk with me into the glorious light.

____________________________

Be here with me now

As I know you always are

Sit with me on this stone

As the breeze chills my bones

Watch the river flow on by

The sun slowly setting

As I sit here and truly seek

Quiet me and simply speak

I beg for guidance

Answers to my questions

But know that I know not

So I truly seek your thought

Forgive me for disobedience

I am but a sinful man

I ask only for your grace

And that one day I see you face to face

So for now my beloved friend

Come join me in this place

Hold me tight as I confess

To you who truly knows best

So be here with me now

As I know you always are

Sit with me on this stone

As this breeze chills my bones

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