I am not the same person that arrived to Colombia.

New Blog : http://amazonlifeproject.blogspot.com/

I write this in the same airport that I went through to get to Colombia, it has the same bustle of people but I am not the same Sandra that waited anxiously for that plane that would take me to Colombia. I now wait for the plane that will take me to my homeland, Puerto Rico, where I will trade the “Want a “tinto”?” for the “Want coffee? With or without sugar?” I am not the same person that arrived to Colombia.

                When I arrived, I arrived with the team of Wine to Water, and like them I was disoriented in a new country. The only difference was I knew the language and with my role as interpreter I had to adjust fast and try to make them understand the Colombian world in English. During that week we went to San Antonio and Irene; in both communities we served and tried to provide them what we have in abundance and take for granted: clean water. What was done this week I will leave, so that if you have the opportunity, to experiment with your own five senses. Descriptions have a habit of turning monotonous and never make justice to reality. Words have their limits.

                What I will talk about is how the thought transition goes from, “I am going to this place to teach and share the gospel” to “I have been changed by this experience”. When I arrived it was to impart, to give and to share the knowledge of a God that loves. Instead I came back with a deeper conviction of my faith. I saw the Amazon and its imposing majesty; the children and their freely given affection, their disposition of always wanting to help and their shining smile when they receive a bible. This was a scalpel that the Lord used to cut open and show me who he is and who am I. He showed me things that not even I knew were in my heart. And he showed me how to take them out.

                Jesus said that it was better to give than to receive but he did not say that when you give you are changed permanently in the depths of your soul. And yes, I am not the same person that went to Colombia couple of weeks ago, I am different because of the blessings the Lord gave me when I was giving to others. I come back thankful for food, for clothing for clean water and for having the hope that God gives me. That is the most important part. Every day that passed my love for God took a bigger space in my heart and turned more intense. I do not understand why the Lord permitted me, a lowly human, to live this experience but I do know that I am thankful with a bigger capacity to be thankful, that I praise him with a bigger capacity to praise and that now I can serve him with more devotion. I have grown in this trip and I am thankful to the one who permitted me to take it: God.

This is written by Sandra Santigo, she is a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She volunteered with Agua y Vida for a couple weeks for the summer 2014.  

Flying

I had just arrived to visit some very good friends and it amazed me the enthusiasm they had to watch the TV, nobody was turning their eyes away from the devise, I asked; what is going on? what am I missing? Everybody knew how little Tv I watch and they did not look surpised with my unknown discovery, but they gave me the answer giving me faces like, !which world do you live on¡ -YuRi and Adriána are live streaming on national Television!

It was American Idol national version in the biggest audience hour. I live in a Country of aproximately 45 million people, almost everybody has a TV at home and during that season, it was the TV show with the higher rating. Just vauge guess, it was about 25 million people that were watching this TV show. That day, their vocal (acapella) band had been selected to continue in the program, the excitement of everybody in the house was inevitable.

The voice (acapella) band of my friend Became more famous with each episode , very well KNOWN, everybody used to speak of the band, there was more followers on social sites every day, likes and comments, every day they were closer to being chosen as the winners.

It was the beginning of a great music career, every musician wants to be recognized, wants his music to be heard , to know that as a musician they exists, this was the time to succeed. And so it happened, the popularity was growing, it was such that they were invited to TV shows, concerts, presentations, and finally, they had made it. This is the country of Juanes, Shakira , Carlos Vives, cumbia and vallenato and they, my two friends had their space and their place in the small hall of fame.

A few days after the euphoria of the media, Adriana, one of the host girls of the TV show came to me and saiod "I want to go to Amazon, I believe God is speaking to me , I would like to go "
For a moment I got speechless . I studied music in college and how hard it is to succeed as a musician, the competition is big, there are many good musicians, access to the media is more difficult , you nee to have contacts, so she already had it, she had succeeded

it was time to take advantage and make an artistic career. On the other hand I remembered when I decided to serve God with what I had learned and decided to surrender my life to serve God in Music and Missions . I could not tell Adriana : forget about going to the Amazon. We had to do something. We continue talking, can you imagine what happened?

I want to share a small letter of Adriana, a member of the vocal (acapella) group.

"What for many is folly, to me it is an experience that undoubtedly will be one of the wonderful surprises of the Lord.
February 8 I fly to the Amazon. Not to mention it was my first plane ride , I must say I was very afraid, for me it was hard to believe that for a moment I would be flying in one of the greatest inventions of man, only by the immense wisdom of God. Yes! I was flying to the Amazon jungle, accompanied by people from around the world who like me for the first time , we would know that place.

My flight was very comfortable but the ascent was very unpleasant, but once being up only the wonder to see how close the clouds were makes one forget your fears. From above I could see the clouds forming shapes that seemed like figures constructed from the ground.
Perfect love cast out fear 1 John 4:18 I saw that perfect love shown in these majestic clouds. Oh! how great is our God , I exclaimed and said , how do some people watching this still believe that we are products of an explosion?

And not to mention the famous Amazon river, which from above looks like a big snake . The famous Amazon river, in person, not in photos , now I understand why everyone wants to come here .
We arrived at the port where there was a traditional method of transportation, motorboat . Being 5:45 pm I began my journey to the base camp , where I will live while this experience. Thirty minutes was the time of the trip down the river . To my right side Peru, to my left Brazil and behind, Colombia . Three countries share a common river, wow!
This is just the beginning , more news will surely come, I remind you that this is one of the many surprises of the Lord.

Blessings

Adryana O."
John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Adriana is our first interim in the Amazon this year, we are very happy about the decision and the courage she took to make this decision.

Adriana will be at least three months in the Brazilian Amazon jungle, sharing God's love, teaching music to indigenous children (Tikunas). She will also be sharing with the indigenous community in more different activities.

Yes our Creator calls you, He will send and train you. When was the last time you listened to God's voice!?

                                              Jhonny A Nieto

A chance to think differently

We hope you all had a good time with family and your love ones as you celebrated and remembered the nativity of the savior. Also, we wish you a good end of the year with lots of blessings and new plans in God for the year to come.

In the year 2013 we were able to participate in more than 5 water well projects to provide water to villages in the amazon, but in the village Progreso (in Colombia) we had some difficulties and this made me think about several questions like:

Where does the water we consume come from?

What would happen if the main cities of our country lack water for a week?

How could we save water and help others to have that water ?
Well, there were many questions.

Let's imagine some of our cities without water for a few days.

Lima, Perú has approximately 9 million inhabitants

Sao Pablo, Brasil, approximately 20 million

Bogota, Colombia, almost 9 million

New York,  US 19 million

They are big cities! It would be a state of caos, everybody trying to get the reserves, water bottles, tanks, etc... we prefer not to imagine this.

Less than 1% of water is available for almost 7 billion people. Let's go to a more interesting fact:
Have you ever wondered how much you invest in the water you drink?

Usually when we leave the house to go to work, or to the school, university or to do sports or just to walk, normally we get thirsty and if it is a warm day, we will get thirsty faster. We have to satisfy our thirst and the easiest way is to buy a bottle of water, how much do you pay for it? The average price for a bottle of water is between 1 and 2 dollars, 90% of the total cost of a bottle of water in a store is more about different elements than water: bottle, transportation, distribution, advertisement… “the bottle and the labeling take the biggest portion of the total cost. The price for water itself is between 1 and 2% of the final price, it means that it is "significative"

For this new year we want to offer you an invitation and at the same time a challenge.

If you have access to drinking water and do not have to pay for it, we invite you to save the money you would spend in water and donate it for a water project. Let's do it! We encourage you to participate and to share your experience with us, we will definitely tell you to whom we are going to bring Water & Life

Water and Life & Wine to Water

Part of the team of Water & Life was planning what we would do the rest of the year. We made a pause and began to talk about the everyday of our lives and someone made ​​a comment about a story he had heard.
She was an African American woman who worked at the home of wealthy people , she began to wonder : What is the difference between a poor and a rich, because the rich gets money and the poor get no money?

She noticed that the rich and poor could eat the same, wear the same clothes, same shoes, the beds were very similar. The difference was very little, almost everything was the same; only that makes the difference? It was the question of the day.
She began detailing every movement of her boss and only noticed a small difference. Her boss had a TV at home, but when the family members arrived they payed little attention to it. They spent time in reading books, most of the free time was to read, unlikely her family they spent time watching television, that was the big difference.

This woman forbade her children to watch more than two TV shows a week and instead demanded that every week they had to read two books from the public library and submit them to her with the respective summaries of these books.
The mother told her children "read many books and someday you will be on television".

After hearing this story everyone at the meeting laughed for several minutes and we joked about spending more time reading, then maybe one day we would be on television.

Not even 6 months had passed when a great part of the team of water & life were on camera before one of the most recognized TV channels worldwide. Water and Life explained on camera to CNN all their work in the Amazon in South America.
We had not read many books and soon we were going to be on TV! Thanks to the preparation and hard work of more than 10 years providing this precious liquid. We were sure we were doing what God was asking of us which was to continue our work to provide WATER and most importantly... LIFE.

Surely this was what Benjamin Carson's mother wanted to teach, the child was motivated to change a habit of television for reading. That work, through consistence and perseverance , brought results at some point in our lives.

We invite you to see the CNN special on December the 15th at 8:00 pm or on December 22, on CNN or CNN INTERNATIONAL IN SPANISH .

We leave you with a question. What custom or habit could you change for your benefit and also for others?          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJtAaKTq3Pg

Moving Forward

Hi to all,

As I mentioned in the last report, this summer was a time of hard work, we are not done but now we have a short break. The teams that visited us are already back in their cities and different countries, a total of five different organizations represented in several groups were supporting us and surely with the agreement plans we realize that we also support those who come to do the work.

This is the case of Hunger Corp, with which we have defined a working agreement for the next two years. They made the decision to join us in the Amazon and they went back to their homes in Puerto Rico motivating others to work in the Amazon. In Water & Life we recognize and give credit to those who deserve it, the idea of making partnerships and associations are not only to receive support from others but allow and support others to do the work, we know that we can not do everything and so we work together. At the end of the day we all do the same job, that of bringing the message of hope. We all work for the same person, our creator. For more information about Hunger Corp, click here.

 Just last week we had another visit of people willing to work hard, with enthusiasm and with great desire to support Water & Life in the Amazon. After a year and a half of conversing with Wine to Water (Vino para Agua) Doc. Hendley, founder and president, decided to take the challenge of joining an expedition that for sure would be very exciting for both of us. Doc Hendley has been visiting many countries in the world especially in Africa helping to provide clean water and this would be his first visit to Colombia.
In this occasion Wine to Water came accompanied by a video production team to make a documentary of what they have been doing and how Water and Life works in the Amazon. We are all waiting the release of this video that will air internationally before the end of the year and we would like to share with you all. Follow us on facebook Agua & Vida - Water & Life. We are also soon going to have a website, keep updated!

We greatly appreciate Doc Hendley and Wine to Water for this work and financial support to provide more wells in indigenous villages in Colombia.


We also had representation from Incalink International, Lisa Merritt was a great help during the time that Wine to Water was in the Amazon, this was her second visit to the Amazon region and was a great pleasure to have her participation. We are planning and asking for your support in prayer so we can make a working alliance between Water and Life and Incalink.

We can not end this letter without acknowledging the workers that each make Water and Life function, obviously we know that the giver of the strength and ideas as well like contacts, everything comes from our creator God. To Him all the glory and credits.  We also want to thank the endless task of raising this organization and sharing the vision for 12 years, Gonzalo Jimenez has been at the forefront of all this work.

Jhonny Anderson Nieto who for nearly two years has taken the challenge to join us in this mission to bring a message of hope in the Amazon, he has done an excellent job in logistics with the groups and we are very happy for all his support.

Ricardo Rodriguez and his wife Lucy Lancheros have a heart for missions and have been helping to build a work in northern Bogota in a very difficult location God has been supporting them, now they joined together to the work with Water and Life, we believe that it would have been very difficult for us all this summer without them.

Please, support us in prayer that we continue to focus on the vision and so many more can join us on this work, also the financial costs to move around in the Amazon providing water are very high but we believe in the creator's provision.

We also thank the United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie in Florida for their generous support to Water & Life.We are thankful for you.

Great Blessings

Hello,
We are very pleased to be able to communicate back and bring news.
This time there are many new things to share and beforehand I thank your attention to read.

I want to start sharing the joy and the blessing of the partnership of Water and Life  with Hungercorp. A new non-profit organization that was founded in Puerto Rico with the purpose of bringing tools and resources and help in different parts of the world.
Exactly one year ago this process began though God was preparing the road since more than four years ago when we met Eli Rosa in a missions conference in Ecuador and who has been a friend of the ministry and who made the connection with Hungercorp. We greatly appreciate all the support that they have and we give honor to the creator because we know that He has made all of this possible.

At this time while you read this report, there will be a group of Hungercorp in the Amazon visiting different villages and drilling two wells for those who need it so much. These 8 people will be in the Amazon region for 10 days and need our support in prayer to fulfill the objectives and to be a great blessing for each village and so they can carry the message of truth and encouragement to the leaders.

This year we also had the help of TLC (Touching Lives for Christ) Florida. ministry that has been a blessing for many years and are still committed to support us in our work in the Amazon region. 9 people in vast majority women accompanied us for two weeks, visiting villages and drilling a well, unfortunately we could not find water, this is the second time that this happens in almost 10 years of work, we could not drill deeper so we had to end the work there. We are doing more studies to be able to filter water in these places where we can find water by drilling, we really hope soon in the future we have the solution.

Was also with us a group of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church North in Bogota-Colombia. This is the third time that the Church endorses with their presence. 12 people traveled from the capital to join us for nearly a week visiting different churches. We are so excited to see the missions ministry enthusiasm and commitment. We would like to continue having your support.

The group was led by Jeferson Nieto and Natalia Alarcon and now we take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate them on their marriage which took place last week, we wish them well and we hope that in their work as a couple be a blessing for either the ministry, the church and all who have to come to the kingdom through God's work in their marriage.

We still continue with the plans to establish Water and Life as a nonprofit organization and we expect this to become a reality very soon, both in Colombia and in other countries. We will also have a web site, we only need to complete some documents. There is much more going on in the Amazon project and would love to count on with your support in prayer. We will share them Gradually as they develop.

We also would like to ask for help in prayer for Gonzalo Jimenez and Jhonny Nieto who have been at the forefront of all this work in the jungle and will remain so for the rest of the year. We greatly appreciate their work and trust in God's support in their lives in ministry and personal plans.

Getting closer to the end

^{Romans 8:28} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose..NIV

Almost a year ago I was about to finish my studies in missions and I well remember the joy I felt. This had been a dream since I began to get closer to God in the year 2001. This desire was not fulfilled without having gone through many trials and experiences, it took almost seven years between various activities, service with organizations and four visits to the embassy for a visa, of which I feel no regrets.

While experiencing all of this I thought it was a waste of time, I wanted to satisfy this need to study, feel better prepared and be ready to start the ministry. The reality was different, the creator was leading me to develop a ministry and this was all part of the process. God taught me a lot through that time, and still continues to teach me. I got to know very beautiful people and of great blessings, I visited many places, I was able to be part of organizations that brought much knowledge, experience and this was the way God was using and preparing me for the next stage.

A year ago when it was about to end my studies in the college in Florida, I had a longing, which God had put in my heart, the need to study aviation maintenance with the purpose of using it in the great commission in the Amazon jungle of Colombia, Peru and Brazil. I did not know how everything would happen but trusted God.


I can not say that I already achieved this but at this moment I am grateful to God to know that he has been accompanying me on every step, supplying, giving me the strength and ability to do well in the school.
Now I have completed a little more than 70% of the course, I still have about three more months left to go.
Of the three stages of the program, I'm in the final, which is powerplant, which is very interesting and of quite work. As for finances, I have been able to cover about 50% of the total cost.

This was the first engine we started, 8 months after we began the course.
the pictures is probably not the best but it was an exciting moment.

Unfortunately for me, the university requires that students are up to date with all payments and before starting these last three months of classes I have to make payment of the total cost, which is very difficult for me.
For this reason I will have to withdraw from classes within a few days to be able to solve this situation. I feel so close to the end but yet so far. God has given me peace, and I remain confident in Him.


Finding work as a foreign student has many difficulties and specific requirements, it is not the same as a citizen. I have been looking, applying for so many jobs, and still no one wants to work with my situation. I'm still looking and praying to have a stable job that allows me to work during the summer and gather enough funds to finish the classes the following semester.

I would greatly appreciate your support in prayer for these requests and I hope to communicate as soon as possible to continue sharing what God is doing in my life.

Although a bit difficult to understand the reasons, I know that God is in control of and trust Him with everything.

^{Romans 8:28} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose..NIV

January and February

This picture is property of Liberty University
Opening of Missions Week Feb. 2013
More than 60 countries represented

video February 11, 2013  http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=9002

A fresh call to a new generation:

It is amazing to think that we have already finished the first two months of this year. Everything has passed so fast, days seam to be shorter. I remember my first week of classes, I was not used to spend many hours in a class and we all would fall sleep in the classroom after lunch. The first month was a hard month but today I see the benefits of the effort.

Now weeks pass by flying the same with every month. Homework everyday, quizzes every two days and final exams almost every week.
This last two months have probably been the months of greatest studying of all the course.
In December we finished the first stage of the course which was the basic studies called General. It was more time in the classroom than the time of practice, approximately 70-80% of classes and the rest working in the hangar with the aircraft.

In this same month of December we started the second stage which is Airframe. Something that we were all waiting since the beginning of classes. This is more hands on and practice, here we had 50% of classroom and 50% in the hangar. It has been an exciting time but still of lot of study.

In January we were reinforcing electrical, most of the students had a lot of difficulties with this class. At this time we had to study from 6:30am and add a couple of more hours of study time to everyday to finish homework and study for exams. I thank God we finished that class two weeks ago, now I feel much better in this subject and I am able to sleep a few more hours everyday.

Learning how to paint with my partner, Lee McBroom.

In these two months we finished more than 10 classes getting now to the middle of the whole course completing approximately 950 hours of study. In about a month we will have the first of two exams for the first license of mechanics. I feel a little nervous since I have to demonstrate all that we have learned  in six months of study in almost  30 classes. This exam requires three steps, a written test with a combination of questions of all classes, then an oral exam evaluating each one of the topics seen and a practical test, developing tasks in every class we have learned till now. This is an exam of almost 8 hours without counting the written exam.

For this reason I ask for your support in prayer. It is not required to take this test in a month but it would be a good option before we continue with the third and last stage of the course.

I also need your prayers for the finances for this semester. Thank God and the support of many people, last semester is all paid! I haven´t been able to make any payment for this semester.

I would like to share the engagement of my younger brother Jeferson and Natalia, let´s support them in prayer for their wedding plans and goals for their ministry.

As always,  I say bye, thanking you for all your help and support during my studies. It is and will be very important to count on your prayers and encouragement to accomplish  results that may glorify God and make an impact in those who are in need.

One day of my life

Aeronautics's meeting, pilots and mechanics.

Blue angel pilots sharing with the students.

Hi,
How good is to be able to communicate with each one of you what God has been allowing me to live this semester. I haven't updated the blog for a little more than a month but now I have a surprise that will basically cover my daily activities.

In this opportunity I have decided to thank each one of those who have been helping me and supporting me with your prayers during my studies. I have prepared a video that even it is not of the best quality, it contains most of the things I do every day.

For many, this season means the end of classes or a time to rest; to me it is just a week and the last pause before I complete my studies. It is unbelievable to think that I am almost half way through my courses and everything if all goes well.
Through all of this, when it looked like there was not hope to enter to this university, God has been faithful and I am still growing in faith.

Graduation January class 2012

December 24th with family

It was very encouraging to attend the graduation of the January class, this reminded me when I only had the dream to start the studies but I could not see everything clearly, now getting to the middle of the studies I feel hope again to be there some day getting the degree of an aviation mechanic.

This year has been the fifth year to being far away from my family during Christmas break, even though I was sad not to be able to spend this time with my parents and brothers, God gave me the opportunity to visit and meet cousins and to share this years Christmas dinner. It was a very joyful time to feel their attention, to listen to stories of the family, and the blessing of been part of a fourth generation of a strong Christian family. (Thanks Acuña-Falla family)

Now I leave you with the video of one day of my life,
Thanks again for your support.
I would greatly thank you for your prayers for the plans for the new year, there are some issues I need to solve this week in order to continue the studies.
  
Blessings.

First session completed

Hi everyone,
It is amazing to think that in my last report  I was sharing about my first month in college and now I am about to complete the third month. How quickly time passes!

    

One of my first classes, non-destructive testing methods.

I have the privilege and joy to tell you that last week I completed the first part of my studies. The entire course is divided into three parts, the first is the shortest, two and a half months, but they are months in which you realize and decide if you can continue with the other 10 months.


These months were hard, alot of studying, almost all theory and sometimes it becomes boring when you are looking at just four walls and 23 students for almost 8 hours a day. I thank God for your support and all who have supported me, prayed and communicated to me words of encouragement.
10 classes completed for a total of 400 hours.


Now we have the basis for this work, we will begin the second part, it will be a little long, almost 5 months and we hope we have a little more of excitement, it will be more of hands on and practice in the hangar, with more contact with the aircraft. This does not mean that everything will be easier, we must always be responsible and devote enough time to study before executing any task. So once again I ask for your support the prayer, at the end of the five months I will present two tests for the first license, there are two. I will have to demonstrate what I have learned since the beginning of the course.

Ground Operations, for many something new.
It was very refreshing, I recalled my first flying lessons

Removing oxidation

Before removing oxidation

After removing oxidation

Not everything is "roses's color" as we say in Colombia, these two months have been a time of joy to see dreams fulfilled and see the support of family, friends and brothers, it has been a time of little sleep and learn to organize time the best way, try to keep my daily time with God, implement cooking skills, learn a new language, (mechanic) it has many new terms to me. Also growing in faith, trusting God for the daily provisions, make contacts with Hispanic friends in the area, (this has been a great blessing), feeling a little lonely to know that my family is far away and I have no vacation soon. In the mist of all these circumstances, God has always been there.

The greatest enemy's attack has been doubt, not believing what God began to do, when these difficult times come I have to remember that the Creator has always been there.

This week God reminded me how all these circumstances are merely a sample of something big "spiritually" that is coming. When there are attacks, it is because the enemy knows what's going to happen and he wants to tear that plan to defeat us and so we do not give God the glory.

One more time I thank you for your support during these almost three months of study. Each one of you has been a great blessing to me.

Prayer requests:

• Remember Sandy storm victims especially in New York and New Jersey.
• Elections for the U.S. president.
• I'm behind on a payment for this semester, and provision for next semester.
• My family, the presentation of the thesis of my brothers Jhonny and Jeferson..
• Needing set of tools.

My first month

Sounds a bit odd to mention something new after many years of life, but it is like that.
This is a totally new and different experience, new challenges, studies, new friends, places. Maybe not everything we do in life is a new beginning, but this part of my life has been completely new. After having all the basic needs in another university and coming to my new totally empty room, and God has allowed me to live, everything is for a purpose, and today I can give all the glory to Him for His help.

Sharing with mission organizations,
pilots interested in Mission Aviation

One night during my second week of school I was wondering how I got to this point in life. I started thinking about the beginning of this adventure coming to a day in August 2008. Four years in which many people were there for today this dream can now be possible. During a Christian service class, my teacher and flight instructor Jim Howard invited a missionary pilot to share with the class. To my surprise this pilot had worked for many years in Ecuador with (MAF) Mission Avation Fellowship).

We were able to converse in Spanish and it was very encouraging to see his life experience, there began the contact with Liberty University, where I am now, Brian told me about the Missionary Aviation program here. Search began with the desire to transfer colleges to make this possible. Concluding that God had led me come to Hobe Sound with a purpose and He did want me to end there before taking another step. Shortly after that, Liberty launched its first Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS).


Anyone who is thinking about getting involved in missionary aviation has to know that the requirements are many, including maintenance studies. There I began to realize the need, not only to bond to a missionary organization but as personal ministry in the future this would be a key.
And although the whole story is not here, I want to leave this part for you to meditate on the people God has placed in your life to take you to many places, to many divine appointments, so that others can hear the message and that together we can accomplish the tasks in life.


If I had not been in Hobe Sound, had never met my teacher Jim Howard, so I had not met brother Brian Behal, might never have gotten here. All of this is a chain that is made up by God's purpose. I'm sure none of these people thought of a specific plan for my life, all were moved by God, but God was the creator of this new adventure.
Not all adventures are the same, some are more difficult than others, each person is different and God is a personal God. He has a plan for you, not only for you to delights in the adventure but alse for you to be a blessing to others.

Here is Brian Behal (left) and flying with Mr Howard (right)

Only with His help we can carry out the task He has entrusted us.


Once again I thank everyone who has been praying for me, giving me words and financial support.
The first classes were very difficult for the intensity of study but I'm trying to improve and continue.

Prayer requests:

• For the new classes, to improve my grades and strength for each day of studies.
• To be able to find a job to continue paying the bills.
• My family, their personal plans. 
• In a few weeks I need to buy my own set of tools. (finances)
• Water and Life Ministry, there are many good plans for the future. (Wisdom to carry them out)
• The bus route has changed, so I have been experiencing some difficulties.

Translating in Tree of Life Church

                                                                                         

         

My first month

Sounds a bit odd to mention something new after many years of life, but it is like that.
This is a totally new and different experience, new challenges, studies, new friends, places. Maybe not everything we do in life is a new beginning, but this part of my life has been completely new. After having all the basic needs in another university and coming to my new totally empty room, and God has allowed me to live, everything is for a purpose, and today I can give all the glory to Him for His help.

Sharing with mission organizations,
pilots interested in Mission Aviation

One night during my second week of school I was wondering how I got to this point in life. I started thinking about the beginning of this adventure coming to a day in August 2008. Four years in which many people were there for today this dream can now be possible. During a Christian service class, my teacher and flight instructor Jim Howard invited a missionary pilot to share with the class. To my surprise this pilot had worked for many years in Ecuador with (MAF) Mission Avation Fellowship).

We were able to converse in Spanish and it was very encouraging to see his life experience, there began the contact with Liberty University, where I am now, Brian told me about the Missionary Aviation program here. Search began with the desire to transfer colleges to make this possible. Concluding that God had led me come to Hobe Sound with a purpose and He did want me to end there before taking another step. Shortly after that, Liberty launched its first Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS).


Anyone who is thinking about getting involved in missionary aviation has to know that the requirements are many, including maintenance studies. There I began to realize the need, not only to bond to a missionary organization but as personal ministry in the future this would be a key.
And although the whole story is not here, I want to leave this part for you to meditate on the people God has placed in your life to take you to many places, to many divine appointments, so that others can hear the message and that together we can accomplish the tasks in life.


If I had not been in Hobe Sound, had never met my teacher Jim Howard, so I had not met brother Brian Behal, might never have gotten here. All of this is a chain that is made up by God's purpose. I'm sure none of these people thought of a specific plan for my life, all were moved by God, but God was the creator of this new adventure.
Not all adventures are the same, some are more difficult than others, each person is different and God is a personal God. He has a plan for you, not only for you to delights in the adventure but alse for you to be a blessing to others.

Only with His help we can carry out the task He has entrusted us.


Once again I thank everyone who has been praying for me, giving me words and financial support.
The first classes were very difficult for the intensity of study but I'm trying to improve and continue.

Prayer requests:

• For the new classes, to improve my grades and strength for each day of studies.
• To be able to find a job to continue paying the bills.
• My family, their personal plans. 
• In a few weeks I need to buy my own set of tools. (finances)
• Water and Life Ministry, there are many good plans for the future. (Wisdom to carry them out)

A new beginning: Liberty University

Many wonder what has happened in the last two weeks since I sent my last report, well, here's the story.

Four days before classes started I decided to go to college without knowing what would happen, and yet did not have a place to live and was not sure that everything was going to work out.

I arrived for orientation and that same day began the search for a room where I would spend the next year of my adventure, an adventure that was uncertain until that moment.
I had allowed so much doubt and discouragement from people to come into my life. God had been guiding and supplying for every need but at times the future looked like a giant. A huge university, a course with a lot of dedication and intensity and little time for studies, each semester payments and a place to live.


That day I was meditating on a word I received from a pastor, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart". But how was that possible to delight in the Lord having many things unclear? I had tried everything possible and spent time and effort to get to this point and still could not understand.
After asking God how to do it, He gave me the peace and I was able to thank Him for all that he had done for me in the past. I was able to focus on God and delighted on Him only, without thinking about every need. I was able to worry about my relationship with God and at that moment He made me know that he was going to take care of the desires of my heart.

Early in the morning I saw an advertisement on the internet, a spare room. I made the contact and at noon I was visiting this place. Why had I spent a month looking for a place to live and had not found anything? Because this was the place GOD had found for me. Now you will be surprised of all the advantages. That same day I started a new adventure in my new room, even though I did not have all the comfort, this was the place God had prepared for me.


It is a good place, a little more than a mile from the airport where I take classes every day, with a bus route from the college at the apartment's door and everything for a good price.
What more could I ask God for? After eight hours of classes each day I just want to get home as soon as possible. Today I can enjoy that privilege and give all the glory to God.

Finally in college!
Although for many this can be normal
to enter this university,
for me it was a great challenge, a great dream and
a big step of faith.

Natasha took this picture
at one corner of the university
It reminds me of every word I received,
encouraging me to "never give up" at least
not before trying.

                                               

Classes began and although it requires some time to study it is nice to know that God has been opening doors every day and will continue.
 
All of this has taught me great things over all to grow in faith, I do not know what will happen tomorrow but I want to trust God because as God supplied also to every great man in the Bible, He will do with each of us who delight in Him. It is not easy but I want to learn more and get closer to God every day,  not by necessity but by delight also because my future is in Him.

For now everything is in the classroom,
after a couple of months we will be
here, it gives me encouragement to get
to this point.

It has been a great blessing to find
the denomination in which I grew up
and was formed spiritually.
I hope to support and serve here.   

Many thanks to all who have been supporting me, calling, writing, even praying on the phone with me. Everyone has been a great blessing and God will bless you even more greatly.

I also want to thank my girlfriend's family. Duane and Rachel Brown who gave me support and encouragement during my transition to get to college. You can not imagine how big this was for me, I appreciate you as my own family :) and I pray that all your plans may be according to God's will.

I ask for prayer for these first weeks of studies, for strength and wisdom for each of the classes and tests.
For God's provision to pay off this semester of study.
And for boldness to continue sharing the gospel wherever there is an open door.

Amazonas June-July 2012

It is of great happiness to be able to share news about the work that has been going on in the Amazon..
It was impossible for me to travel to the Amazon this summer, but thank God we had my brother's help, Jhonny Anderson. And even though we did not cover much time in the area, the team was able to visit Pastors and leaders in some villages. They encouraged them to move forward.
In the middle of June we had a team from TLC (Touching Lives for Christ) they have been supporting this ministry for over 8 years, it has been a tremendous blessing.

These anxious college students were willing to have an experience in the Amazon, for two of them this was the second visit in the last three years.
Jhonny was the guide of the team and they were able to do an excellent work.

For me it was very sad no to be able to accompany the team and rejoice of every missionary experience, but it was very encouraging to know that everything was working under God's control and that everyone had a good time.
The conditions in the Amazon as always are difficult, above all when it is the first experience. We thank God for His help with the team in getting adjusted with no health problems and for His protection in each one of the trips to the various villages.

   

"Being in the Amazon with the TLC team was a rich time that allowed me to grow in interpersonal relationships and of confidence in what God can work though our lives and how He can use us as long as we are willing.
Helping and serving as a guide was very rewarding to see people willing to help and serve others. It was also very good to be a connection between two completely different cultures. It was nice to see happy people in the villages because the receive a visit, it is a great joy and this gives them encouragement and new energies to not give up in the beautiful work of the gospel and discipleship".
                    Jhonny Anderson Nieto

One more time I thank you greatly for all your help and support in prayer. God has been so good with everyone and we know he will be good in the future.
There are many things happening in the ministry and it makes me happy to know that soon in the future we will began to see the results of the past 11 years of work

Please let us continue in prayer so that God may guide us in making good decisions and that we could see God's dreams been accomplished in this region of the Amazon

Remember the doors are always opened so that you can come to share with us while we deliver a message of hope to every village.

Transitions

All our life is a line of transitions, since we are born until we die we are changing places, meeting new people, and adding memories to our own story as well as other lives. A little more than a month ago I finished my studies at the university and this has been a time to remember, remembering the plans I had before I ended this stage. How good it is to see dreams being accomplished. But over all, it is good to see the new plans for the future added by this time. This month and a half has been a time of transition, in which I have been able to rest, plan, work a little, share with friends, and organize projects for the future. This transition like always has reminded me of God's provision that has always been in my life, this time has given me strength to continue trusting in Him.

(June 2012) Farewell in Aposento Alto Port Saint Lucie, FL.

I want to thank the church Aposento Alto in Port Saint Lucie, FL; there I had almost four years of many memories and happy stories. You were my family in difficult times and in times of joy. I will never be able to repay all you did for me, each family was a great blessing. Thanks, Pastors, for supporting the ministry in the Amazon.     

More than my students, my friends and new family.

Valeria (guitar), Moises the big :) (drums), 
Josselyn (keyboard), Jesus(guitar)

Valeria (blue dress) made me so happy with her beautiful words of thankfulness. The Merced family became a great support and comfort in the mist of all circumstances during all these years of studies. A thousand thanks to each member of this family and may God continue blessing  you.                                                                                     

Celebrating Father's Day and farewell to Jonatan Nieto

I have exactly a month left to finish this transition and start the new stage of my life that I  will be accomplishing in studies of aviation maintenance at Liberty University. I am a little tense to think that I will be doing a two year course in one year, it will be intense but I am sure that God has opened doors for me until now and He is the giver of life and strength. This study is a basic part for the development and the progress of the ministry in the Amazon with the missionary aviation for my future.


I thank you greatly for all your help and support in prayer. Till now I have 25 % of the finances for this semester and I have a short time left to collect the remaining 75 %. If you wish to support me for this new stage of my life in studies please do not hesitate to contact me!