One month later

Wow.

One month here.

Really, have I been here a month ALREADY?

or

It feels like I have been here for YEARS.

The past few days I had feelings of tiredness, unpreparedness, heat exhaustion, sickness, insect frustrations, desire for community, longings for wisdom, and oh so many questions.  I kept thinking "Is there any word that has greater meaning than being overwhelmed?? Beyondwhelmed? I need that word right now."

There is something that seems so romantic, beautiful, and awesomely adventurous about moving to the middle of the jungle.  The last few days have shown me just how messy and difficult this world I live in can be.  There is conflict, there is exhaustion, there is sickness, there is loneliness, there is lack of wisdom, and there is hardship.  And it has just been a month.  We are humans in the jungle.  Life here is just as imperfect as it is out of the jungle.  I am in constant need of the Lord and His peace.  Today, I listened to the melodious and beautiful voices of David Crowder Band literally singing about the deepest feelings of my being:


"Oh great God give us rest
We're all worn thin from all of this
At the end of our hope with nothing left
Oh great God give us rest"


God then gave me this:


"Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!  Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.  Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.  He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand.  He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.  In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah..."
Psalm 81:1-7


Wow.

Talk about awesome and perfect words.

God is HERE.  He brings me peace.  How often do I forget that He does that? How often do I forget WHO He is?  How often do I forget that He created the Universe? How often do I forget that He died on the cross for me? How often do I forget that He is with me through all of these jungle troubles? How often do I forget that I NEED His help? He is HERE when the jungle is an adventurous or breathtakingly mystical place.  And He is HERE when the jungle is overwhelming, scary, hot, or just plain unpleasant.  And I thank God that He gives me those scary and hectic days, because those days are the ones that I depend on Him the most.   I realize on those days His greatness and my smallness.  I realize on those days that He is always present in my life.

Some days are just a great pandemonium trying to control 15 crazy kindergartners who REALLY do not like to sit down.  Chairs a flying.  Blocks a tumbling.  Kids a squealing.

Other days are frustrating jumbles as heat exhaustion and sickness make walking around seem like an impossible task.

One day might be a funny adventure crossing the beach trying to save a 5 year from what looks like an angry monkey on a mission to take a child's ice cream.  At that moment, I am pretty sure I looked exactly like Bruce Willis in one of the Die Hard films.  No lie.  If Hans Grubber had a tail and liked bananas, he still would have had no chance against my quick reflexes.  Child life saved.

Another day might be joyful to the max as you see little kids learning things.  No circles, squares, or triangles will defeat my little team.

Some days I struggle to think I have the ability to tell this community who God is and other days I struggle to love and serve this community like Jesus.  Am I doing all that He wants?

BUT- Everyday I get just a glimpse of God's wonderful creativity- plants with crazy leafish flowers, trees that look like skyscrapers, bugs that look like dinosaurs, beautiful girls that love to play princesses, wonderful boys that seek adventure in everything, monkeys that act like 3-year olds playing on the beach, and sunsets that look like they could sing with color.

Everyday I wake up and I AM HIS.  And that is awesome.

Love and crazy monkeys to you all,
Keri
Colossians 3:14-15

PS.  I promise to try to keep this blog updated weeklyish.  The hecticness has been hard to master, and I am trying to balance my need to be present here.  I thank you so much for your understanding!!

PPS. I also promise to start giving a little blurb about each kids here.  I will post pictures of their adorable and beautiful faces soon.

JUNGLE UPDATE :)

A bit of my reading in the WORD today:

9 'Thus hath the LORD of hosts spoken, saying: Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother; 10 and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart."

-Zechariah 7:9-10

Hello wonderful people,

I just want to start off and apologize for the lack of blog posts.  After arriving in the jungle, our site was without internet for a little over a week.  Also, I have been crazy busy trying to get situated here in the jungle and meet everyone  :) When the internet did come on, I was most concerned with telling people I was alive and safe and then my blog posts for some reason did not load!  I just now figured out the problem-  so huge apologies to you all!

SO here is the update of the woman in the Amazon:

The adjustment here has been crazy, I think it takes a while for my body to get accustomed to drastic change.  My cabin place I will be living in is not complete yet, so I have been living with the Davalos family in their house (which has been pretty wonderful).  For those of you I have not told, it is a bit like a scene from the Cheaper by the Dozen movie- a lot of fun and lots of mouths to feed :).  The family consists of Roberto and Charmai Davalos and then 9 kidlets (6 they have adopted) ranging from ages 3-15.  Roberto and Charmai are truly inspirational in their abilities to love and be patient here.  I do not know how they do it all with all of the work they are doing with the school as well! I love being with the kids (we have had some crazy fun dance parties and YES- I brought the Move your Body dance moves here).  Please pray for the family and our little community here we have on site!  The Studebakers, another missionary family, are also here in a separate cabin.  They are amazing! Amy Studebaker made some absolutely fabulous cornbread the other night.  It reminded me of GOOD 'OL SOUTHERN COOKIN! God has been very good with providing especially on days when I miss home :)

The only extreme hardships so far have been getting accustomed to the heat and the insane bugs.  I have to constantly remind myself to just keep drinking that H2O.  The bugs (the little boogers) for some reason like my blood, I am ATTACHED to my anti-itch cream and Deet.

Last week, I was told what all I will be teaching: kindergarten and 1st grade English and 5th and 7th grade science (whewee a lot of planning since we start tomorrow, but I am pumped).  Please keep the school in your prayers!  We are in great need of a bus/way to transport kids from town to the school.  If you would support the kids in this way please click here!

I am excited, but definitely swamped with work to do (and very few quiet places to work since I don't have a cabin yet). I am going to try to trek down each morning to the river so I can just sit with God in the mornings and make sure I have quiet time and peace.  I struggled with making sure to rest in the States, and I know that is going to be something I NEED to do here too.  Please, pray for that as well!

Funny jungle events- for those of you who have seen my facebook page- we were getting bananas for a mid-morning snack only to be interrupted by a BOA CONSTRICTOR! It was a baby- thank goodness :)
Also, last night I had a BIG collision with a cockroach the size of my foot.  I laid my head on my pillow to get some slumber, when the creature then decided to creep from the locks of my hair ONTO MY FACE. Yes, I did jump 10 feet into the air.  Yes, I now sleep with weapons to attack said monster.

We had an awesome church service last week where just our cabins got together- we went through Exodus with the story of the people grumbling to Moses when they wanted water from God. The Israelites seemed to have forgotten everything God had just done and provided for them--and they actually asked to go back to Egypt (including slavery!).  They disliked the desert where they were hot and uncomfortable. Kinda seemed a lot like what we are/might experience HERE in the jungle. We started talking about our "Egypt" and the ways we may be tempted to grumble like the Israelites as the difficulties of life here come up.  I know that I need to constantly remember that God has clearly called me here. It was perfect and something I definitely needed to hear.

Wow. That is a lot but I feel like it doesn't tell you half of what all has been going on!!  I promise to try to keep this thing updated even if the internet gets moody :)

Also, Bit of bad news…. I cannot get mail or packages. BUT- there are various church teams who come to nearby areas and when they come they offer to bring down stuff from the states to the missionaries. I can let you know when that happens if you have any letters or delicious stuff (like Peanut M&Ms) ;) and you can mail it to their address in the states.  Other than that, contacting me is just email and facebook!

Sorry for the book. (The Jungle Book..hehehehehe) Wow. Hope you Disney lovers got that. 

Love and monkeys,

Keri

Goodbyes

What do you do when you are in the middle of excitement, nervousness, and many other emotions in the Charlotte airport? You jump into Joshua 1 and then crank up One Direction on your ipod of course!

Leaving was difficult this morning (probably because my family is absolutely wonderful and loves me so much).  After a tearful goodbye, I found great comfort jumping into the Word and reading God’s words about being strong and courageous (I have read Joshua A LOT).  I definitely needed that comfort while I sat in the airport for a few hours by my lonesome self.   I followed my Joshua reading by listening to an adorable British Boy Band singing about how “you are beautiful."  I will have to say it is hard to feel sad after doing both of those things.  I made it safe on the plane (barely fitting all of my luggage ;) Yes, it PASSED the airport scale Dad).  I now am sitting in excitement with so many questions waiting to see where and what God has called me to. 

Now, there are cute little kids distracting me from my nerves.  And they are speaking Spanish.  :) Perfecto.

Reading Psalm 118

Keri :D :D

“1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b]
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up[c] to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Date to leave!

Hello all!  I officially bought my plane ticket :) AHHH.

AUGUST 16th

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

Jungle Kids for Christ Info and Support

“Come, all you who are thirsty, 
    come to the waters; 
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk 
    without money and without cost. 
Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?"
Isaiah 55:1-2

I did a little excited dance about AWEfull life.  Director Roberto Davalos called on behalf of Jungle Kids for Christ and the work I will be doing this year.  

"The vision of Jungle Kids for Christ is to rescue the children of the jungle of Ecuador and embrace them in a loving Christ centered environment so that they will become what God intended them to become-children of light, followers of Christ."

I will be living in Misahualli, a jungle town in the Amazon, with a few other missionaries.  As far as I know, I will be teaching science and english to different grades (more updates about the details of this), helping with whatever other work the organization needs, showing God's love and reaching those who are thirsty for something more than this world can satisfy.  I have been giddy today as I plan crazy games and songs for learning english.  (Please comment with any fun and engaging teaching ideas, I would love to use your ideas and creativity).  

This trip provides me with the opportunity to meet physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of a community that is in need.  I greatly need prayer  for myself, other missionaries and leaders in the organization, the community, and anyone that will meet God through me.  I believe in the power of prayer and God's answers to these prayers.  I would ask that you pray for safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support.  

If you feel led to support me financially in this mission, I would be very grateful.  I need to raise money for housing and other expenses, donations for the children, and the work the organization is doing for the Lord.  I am currently in the process of linking paypal to this blog so you can make contributions online.  Below is a way you can contribute using a traditional mail method: Please reference Keri Carpenter but write all checks out to Jungle Kids for Christ.  

Traditional Mail Method
You can mail your gift to:
(Please make sure you write the P.O. Box number correct)
Jungle Kids For Christ
P.O Box 151981
Cape Coral Fl, 33915
Jungle Kids for Christ is a non-profit organization and has IRS approval. All gifts are tax-deductible, and you will receive an annual Receipt of Contributions. If paying by check, please make it out to: Jungle Kids for Christ. We thank you for your faithful support!
You’re invited to learn more and participate in Jungle Kids For Christ. 

God's call

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8

I am excited to write this blog today as I am officially leaving for Ecuador in mid-August.   Back in January I decided to teach for a nonprofit in South America and started searching/contacting various friends and organizations. This summer, there were some complications, and I at times feared my ability to go and do God's work--BUT God is good. These complications caused me to apply to other places, one of which is an organization called Jungle Kids for Christ. They are located in the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador.  While I was aware of God's call to teach and love in Ecuador, I had never imagined becoming a missionary (Much of the past year I have been learning to recognize the ways I need to stop fearing my ability to do God's work.  I have learned the great and awesome things I can do only by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.  Without Him, I would freak out about almost EVERYTHING).  After much praying, jumping into my Bible, jumping into my bilingual Bible, talking with the people from the organization, talking with much Christian community, and investigating, I knew what God was asking me to do, and I  am really EXCITED about it.   If you would have told me that I would be a missionary a year ago or 6 years ago, I would have been like Sara and laughed in your face. As Sara was laughing about her old age, God said BOOM: Trust me, You are having a baby.  In my life, God said BOOM: Trust me, I want you to be a missionary. My thoughts that this would have been impossible, have been changed by the One who can make all things possible.

Here is a little more info about Jungle Kids for Christ (JFC) and what I will be doing :):
http://www.orphanos.org/assets/1627/jungle_kids_for_christ_host_faqs.pdf

Here is the link to the sister organization:  It's all about kids
http://itsaboutjunglekids.org/

I will be buying my plane ticket today and will post the date of when I will be leaving the United States (Most likely August 12-20th).  Thank you for your prayers and support!
Blogging is a new thing for me so I want to apologize in advance for the many buttons I may not push correctly or the way in which I am technologically challenged.

Seeking to follow Him always

El deseo para regresar

God has continuously been molding me over the last four years, in many ways I didn't even know were possible. Specifically while in Peru, I volunteered at an organization called Deporte y Vida, an afterschool program where I would tutor and play with children in the impoverished district of Villa El Salvador. God had me fall in love with these children. At first, I feared my lack of Spanish speaking skills and my safety. However, I soon developed much trust in the Lord, which allowed me in turn have confidence in myself. Besides teaching math, braiding hair, dancing the Macarena, and doing all sorts of crazy fabulously fun games, I learned how important it was to show these children God’s love. I learned that many children would leave the program to go home to abusive parents or siblings. It broke my heart each day to send them home. I experienced God’s anger, righteous anger (Psalm 7:11), an emotion I am not sure I had experienced before as I heard stories and looked at the vacant eyes of innocent children. Once, I returned home, I realized how God had changed my desires of the life I once lived. I had always wanted to graduate, to marry, go to med school, and defeat the many bullies of my middle school years. I soon realized these past desires for my future were not bringing me joy, but rather an idea of fleeting happiness. God was not and is not calling me to any of those things. I am excited that now MY wants and passions have become HIS, those He has called me to- ones to love and serve in South America.