Two summer interns joined Becky in Ixiamas, Bolivia. Although they did not post throughout their time, we asked them to share about their experiences. This is the second part in a multi-post series.

So prepare, because this might be long and it might be mushy. Sorry.

I’ll start with the Holy Spirit because truly He or It has been what I have thought to be the strangest or most unknown relationship. I now call Him (or It..hah) my wonderful friend. I read through some books and prayed, but where I understood the most of whom this Holy Spirit is was through the Bible, and well I guess, himself. The Bible says the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, for the Holy Spirit is with me constantly, convicting me when I mess up, telling me to seek forgiveness or encouraging me when I’m down. During the day I’m constantly talking to him, telling him how I feel or how thankful I am for his presence. He has become a great friend to me, a truly wonderful counselor, always pointing me into the right direction. I do love him.

After that my respect and appreciation for Christ increased. Well, everything about him increased. I read through Donald Miller’s Searching for God Knows What about three times. I’m reading it for the third time now. There are many chapters talking about Jesus in ways I haven’t thought about before, and it strongly encourages the reader, at least I think, to read through the gospels and take a good hard look at who the person Jesus was while he was here on Earth. Man, I did that, and I can’t say it enough of how much I am thankful for a Savior, a redeemer. He is my rescuer, my Lord, my best friend who I don’t deserve but nonetheless have. I owe him technically and just because my life. I realized Jesus did the most beautiful thing that could have ever been done. Without him my life would be headed nowhere. There would be no peace, no true life, no God, at least no God that I would have a relationship with. Yes, I do love him so very much. Thank you Jesus. Thank you.

And lastly my beautiful Father in Heaven. I grew with him through the Old Testament and prayer. I looked back at how he faithfully guided his people through Moses. I looked at how amazing Eden was, how things were intended. I imagined and thought about how hard it must have been seeing the life intended was now gone, and the price He knew would have to be paid if He wanted a relationship with us. And boy he does. God, He created the heavens, the earth, and every clear night when I could clearly see he created those wonderful stars. They don’t shine brighter anywhere else I have been. He made me and because of everything He has done, I know him. He has spoken life into me. His affirmation and He fulfills me. I have my identity and my purpose in Him.  I know who I am, and I know who He is, and we have a wonderful relationship that will never end, and that knowledge alone is enough to change anyone’s life. Forever. I love you Father, you are so wonderful.

So sorry for the mushiness, but we’re done with that part. So lastly the thing I got from this trip was a calling. When I was in Australia, I of course got my calling to South America, but the Lord also asked me to stay in Columbus for a few years to go to school, minister to my family, serve my church and help my community. Last year when I left Bolivia, the Lord highlighted my family. I would like to say that I was wholly dedicated to them since I left Bolivia and returned but that would be a lie. I did however love them, pray for them and allow God to work. And so many of my siblings now come to church with me. We, as a family, have had a long year, some unexpected bumps, but overall I think we have all grown a little closer to the Lord.  So this years calling is for my community. We will see where that ends up, but I know right now I have accepted a job to work in local high schools with sophomores, juniors and seniors in a wonderful amazing organization known as Teen Advisors…if you want to know more (teenadvisors.org) And I have said this once, and I’ll say it many more times I think that organization is one of the biggest community changers in Columbus, and we just don’t even know it. But the Lord is showing me more than just that. I can’t wait.

Well I know its long, I’m sorry and there is so much more, but I don’t want to make you cry if I were to write it all. So if you want to know more, gladly I will tell you. Just buy me dinner one night, and you will learn everything I can think of…haha. I pray you are all well, wherever you are. I love you. Thank you for your support and prayers, and may you continue to grow closer to our Savior, our Wonderful Friend and our Father in heaven. Amen.

Chas Jordan