Hey everyone! Its Kasey again!
Everything is so awesome here. Last time I posted was 2 days ago, right before FUAGNEM. Little did I know that this FUAGNEM would be pretty deep and really change my relationship with God. That night we had a worship service with Jamie Jam, and it was really moving. She sang one song that her friend wrote about surrendering all to God and doing anything it takes for His kingdom. That song really hit me hard. Because lately I´ve just been praying that God would change me, but I think I was holding back and not allowing him to work in my life. So after Susie Shellenburger spoke about not "Hitting the snooze button on our spiritual life" any longer. And they had anyone who wanted to do so, go up to the front and have the leaders pray with us. Me, many, many other people went up to the front sobbing. It was the first time that I have ever truly experienced worshipping God with all of my heart. Our leaders were so awesome because they were all there for us and just prayed for us and we all became a lot closer as a team. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Yesterday we went to a church in a small village of Lima. The church was basically a huge tent, but it was in really good shape, and the inside was amazing. What they really needed our help with was lanscaping. So most of the day, we moved dirt, leveled ground, and moved rocks. It was amazing to see how much we got done in such short time. We also had our fill of PB&J for lunch! After we finished our work there, we went to a Peruvian Supermarket. We all bought snacks and little things for when we crave sweets at night:) (I bought oreos and a chip mix) That night, for FUAGNEM we had a concert by Jamie Jam! I actually got a chance to be in the front row! It was awesome! I totally love her worship music. And they asked anyone who wanted to be baptized in the pool today, to come and talk with Susie Shellenburger and Alex McFlarlen about the seriousness and sacredness of being baptized. You see, I´ve been thinking about being baptized for a while, and I pray and decided that this was something that I really wanted to do. So he explained to us that just as a wedding ring is only a symbol of the commitment of marriage, being baptized is only a symbol of your commitment to God. So after that meeting, I went to club Brio, which is basially a small clean dance club thing for us teens to go to. It was pretty fun:)
Anyway, today was a really special day for me as well. After breakfast, we had a Sunday Service in the FUAGNEM room(which is just basically like church). And Jamie Jam lead worship and Susie Shellenburger talked about being a "bond slave" for God. She made the illustration that like a slave at an auction, we were on the auction block for our sins as well. And that Jesus loved us so much that there was no price too high for us. And that like a slave to a gracious master, we have the choice to stay with God or go out on our own. And Susie said anyone that wanted to be a "bond slave" for God and stay with Him forever, could make that commitment. So me and many others got up out of our seats and recieved a necklace that reads in Hebrew "Bond Slave for the Messiah." And she told us that this is a reminder that our standard is now God´s-we must remember the commitment we made. That was really a special time for me. After that we had the baptism. I was really nervous, but Alex McFarlen called my name and he baptized me in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it was a moment that I will always remember. It was a symbol that when I went into the water I was one person, but the old way is gone, and I´m living with Jesus. It was an amazing time! And I´m so excited!!! I can´t believe this trip is halfway over already. I hope that was a good update for you, and I wanted you all to know that I chose to be baptized today!!!! See ya soon, and mom and dad please call!