A sandwich of learning...with the police in the middle!

I have a secret to share. I discovered this over the last couple days, and since you have likely never thought of it, I wanted you to be the first to know: God is smarter than me.

OK, but seriously-He is. The last couple days have been interesting and I definitely had a reminder that I always need to seek God and His direction. Monday we had a meeting with a group at the Bella Vista school--that is the same one we went to last Monday. We were talking about sexuality again, but to a different group of students. Well, it was rough. I felt like I wasn’t ready and the kids didn’t want to listen…you know. Anyway, God is faithful. He wasn’t angry that I hadn’t even thought to ask Him for help before the presentation...(stupid of me). You know how you feel after you do something that felt like a failure? Well, Satan likes to get me in those times :) I don’t want to over-spiritualize the whole thing, but I do think it is part of that guy’s job description to try to debilitate and condemn us. Anyhow, God would have none of it. He reminded me that it is not really up to me or about what I do anyway. Ultimately, it is He who will work in people’s hearts. Whether I feel that a day was successful or not, whether I think anyone listened, or think that ‘I’ did well is less relevant than simply doing my best. It is the Holy Spirit who will follow up on our work. That makes me feel a lot better about stuff when things don’t go “as planned” or whatever.

God did lead with some specific ideas, though; several changes we needed to make to improve situational attention maintenance and positive cerebral focus abilities among the students. Oh…sorry, that was the communications student part of me getting out of control there :) To make a short story shorter, we busted out our sweet new moves during the meeting today, and it went much better, praise the Lord.

Yesterday, in between learning all this, I went to the Colombian National Police Academy. Jesus Ortiz, the Operation Reconciliation founder is also involved with another group, which, although apparently started in the U.S. I had never heard of before. It is called “La Red, Business Network” and is a Christian leadership consulting and training organization. Well, they have contracts with the police, army, navy, and air force here, and are growing programs within their officer training programs. It is pretty awesome, I got to sit in on a couple of the sessions and meet another man, Juan Carlos, who works with Jesus in this. They also have programs operating in Guatemala and Mexico among court judges, military, teachers and police. I was impressed with the presentations they were doing, and plan to check out this organization once I get back in the states, it looks great. I took a couple pictures on the sly while in the Academy. I had a feeling that it wasn’t allowed, but, you know. Well, it was against the rules, as I found out quickly. I guess I was not as sly as I thought…

I would appreciate continued prayers for me and those here I am working with. Pray that we may stay close to God personally, and that the light of his glory may shine through us. Pray for the students we interact with, many so young and vulnerable, yet so mature in the ways of the world. Pray for clarity of mind as we present and discuss, for open hearts and minds. Our goal is to instill a vision in these young people that will drive them to strive for a better life, a true, eternal one. Sweet! Thanks for reading my rantings, have a good rest of your day…or night…or cup of coffee…or chicken sandwich…or whatever is up wid yu der…

The main walkway after the security gates at the Police Academy. he he...













A sunset+pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic on the street in front of the office OR is based from. It is Calle 127 for those of you who want to look it up on google maps...in between Carrera 19 and Carrera 14? I think, the Autopista...
The bike path there is a part of the largest city bikeway system in the world, for those of you who care to know. Bogota has more bike path space than any other city, anywhere. So there, take that Oregon!










In Truth,
Stephen