#arrowssummerteam19

This past month has been absolutely incredible. Traveling with the 2019 Arrows International summer team taught me so many new things and I experienced Christ in a completely new way. I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember, but I have never experienced the level of worship that Arrows brings into their dances. Under the leadership of Jeff and Natalie Lewis, our group grew closer and became a team. Jeff and Natalie allow the Lord to use them in whatever way He needs at any given moment. They are such an inspiration to everyone they meet and I am entirely thankful that the Lord has brought them into my life. 

Each of the Arrows team members had an incredible impact on my life and a unique lesson to teach me. I learned how to truly use my dance as a tool of worship. I will never forget all of the ways God used our team to bring joy, hope, and healing into the lives of those in Costa Rica and Peru. Many people’s lives were changed throughout the course of this month and I believe that God is still at work in those countries. So much can happen by spending each day with each other, dancing in worship and praise towards the Lord. 

One night in Peru after an outreach, we got to pray with a teenager whose family was struggling. Her parents were working through a separation and she wanted healing and forgiveness brought into her life. While we prayed together, she began weeping and I could feel God’s presence there with us. The next night, we did another outreach at a different location in Peru. Afterwards, we went out into the crowd to give prayer just as we did the night before and God led us to a woman standing off to the side. When we got closer, I noticed that her family was close by. Just as we greeted the woman I realized that her daughter was the same young lady we had prayed for the night before. I had a hard time understanding what the woman wanted prayer for, but from what I understand she wanted healing. As we prayed, I could feel the Lord’s presence around her family and I know that He’s got them in His embrace. This was just the first step of healing and restoration for that family, but it was a vital step in God’s plan. He will continue to give them guidance and use them to light the path for those around them. 

Not only did God work in the lives of those we served, but in my own heart as well. A few days into the trip, I noticed the enemy trying get to me through my strongholds. Anxiety and fear started to flood my thoughts. I began to doubt myself and lose sight of the Lord’s purpose for my being on the trip. The other girls supported me through that and I realized that God is greater than any of those lies the enemy was putting into my head. I pushed through and praised God through my weakness. Even though my body and mind were tired, I spoke God’s truth into my life and the people around me. In the midst of my weakness, the Lord continued to provide and used me for His good. 

I am going to join the Arrows International Levitical Trainee Program in the fall and I couldn’t be more excited to see what God has in store after spending the past month with them. I’ve been struggling with the thought of moving away from my family and the town I have lived in my whole life, but something changed in my spirit during my time with the summer team. God gave me a peace that this is what He has called me to do, and I learned that I need to give Him full control over my life. The path He has written for each of us is greater than anything we could ever imagine ourselves. 

- Emma, from North Carolina (Summer Team Member: Costa Rica/Peru 2019)

Here are some snapshots of some of my favorite memories from the summer trip:

When I look back over the course of the two weeks we spent in Costa Rica and Peru, "your ways are higher than mine," a song based off of Isaiah 55:8-9, rings throughout. When things played out differently than planned or expected, what a wonderful blessing it was to know that God was working in ways we could not see. Our first evening in Iquitos, Peru, we had the opportunity to dance at a central park in the city where a festival was going on. Dancing on a damp and very tall stage, while praying that God would both keep our footing sure and use us as vessels of his truth, was a new experience for me. Familiar, though, was the truth that God was indeed working through the Arrows team despite challenging staging and technical difficulties as well as unexpected scheduling. I was thankful that night for the woman who told us as we were leaving the park that our outreach had been impactful, and not to her alone. What a mighty and gracious God we serve who would not only allow us to be a part of His work, but also encourage us along the way!

After dancing at the park in Lima one evening, we were approached by a woman for prayer. Having already prayed in my heart, "Okay God, you know I don't know enough Spanish. Use me anyway however you want to.” I didn't think to mention that limitation before asking the woman if there was anything specific she wanted prayer for. Over the next few minutes I listened to her with every ounce of my being and heard God make my minuscule Spanish vocabulary enough. In awe that I grasped anything of what she'd said, I told her that I understood more than I could speak and that God understood perfectly. So, after explaining to the two Arrows girls with me what I'd picked up and clarifying some details with the woman, we prayed. Coming away from that sweet time of agreeing with our sister in prayer for her young pregnant daughter and grandchildren, I was struck by the way God had just used us and was reminded of a similar experience nine years ago in Costa Rica. That time, I walked into a conversation with no interpreter and got to share the gospel with a man who "happened" to speak English. This time I was able to pray with and encourage a fellow believer despite the language barrier. Working through me in ways I never would've imagined 9 years ago, God gave me boldness, trust in Him to be able to step out and speak, and even the preparation of more Spanish exposure earlier that very day. Set on the secure foundation of the truth of the Holy Spirit speaking through us, we were blessed to be a blessing. And I got the bonus blessing of again seeing God's fingerprints on my life.

In Iquitos, Peru, we were privileged to teach at a Davidic Dance Camp for kids. There we danced, laughed, played, worshiped, and prayed alongside the kids and adult staff. After Arrows did a few dances and presented a short message one evening, Jeff offered the opportunity for the campers to step up to boldly proclaim their commitment to Christ and be prayed over. One young boy was praying earnestly with his head and hands lifted in surrender when I came to him. To see the tenderness of his heart, trust that God would do great things through him, and pray over him as my brother in Christ was incredible. I definitely had a sense at times of "Why me; what makes me qualified to do this?" But knowing the truth of my identity as an ambassador of Christ and the power of prayer, I prayed as God directed, still amazed that He would use me in such a way. Later as I watched the kids and older teens worship, I wondered what kind of great things God would do with this generation of passionate worshippers He was raising up. I marveled that He would call me to be one of many tools through which He would craft them.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was worshipping at Project Dance in Costa Rica on Sunday. That morning, in a room full of dancers from at least 5 countries who were singing and dancing, a few kept singing as the last song faded. It couldn't have been even 10 seconds before we were joined by the rest of the room. It was worship in multiple languages pouring out a spontaneous song to the Lord. "This is what heaven will be like,'' I thought, filled with joy and awe of His presence and goodness. Indeed, that phrase pretty much sums up the trip for me:

Filled with joy and awe of God's presence and goodness.

- Naomi, from Oregon (Summer Team Member: Costa Rica/Peru 2019)

Wow, thank you Lord for preparing me and allowing me to participate this year, in such perfect timing. 

My name is Nilivette and I am from Panama. I am a full time missionary with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). 

On May 31st, I had just finished a very intense, but great, season as the leader of a Discipleship and Training School (DTS) and a student of the Leadership and Ministry Development School. Yes, I did both simultaneously for 5 months; it was 3 months of the Lecture Phase and 2 months of outreach in Costa Rica and various indigenous villages in Panama. We had our graduation celebration in the evening of May 31. Right after, I took a 8hr bus ride to Panama City to catch my flight to Oklahoma the next day. 

Everything was going really well; even though my body was tired, my spirit was expecting amazing things. On my way to the airport I received an email saying that my flight was delayed. I walked to the counter with the assurance that the Lord had everything covered and I was going to be okay. I flew from Panama to Florida and realized that I had missed my connecting flight to OKC - oooh no!! But once again, His peace was overflowing and I was fine because I was trusting in Him. 

As team members we were asked to be at the Arrows Base before 5pm, I had to make a decision. Should I wait for the next flight with the same airline and get to OKC the next day or take a step of faith and buy a new flight? Well, in this part I got a little nervous because it was an extra unplanned expense that was not cheap. After praying, I contacted Natalie, director of Arrows, to explain the situation. She suggested the second option was the best and that the Lord would provide. So, I prayed again and said, “Lord, you called me to do this and I'm gonna trust that you will provide everything I need to get there.” So, I got the new flight ticket and arrived at the Base only just over an hour late. I was received with smiles, good food and great fellowship. I had made it! Lord, thank you for being with me. 

On the first day of training I asked the Lord 3 things:

1. What do you have prepared for me? 

2. Please show me what my "role" during this time with Arrows will be. 

3. Show me specific people to invest in. 

As He is faithful, He answered me. His answers were specific:

1. You are going to get closer to Me and our communication will get better and better. 

2. You are here to love + serve them and to be a display of my kindness and joy. 

3. He gave me names. 

Now I have a confession. I know the level of excellence that Arrows pursues, which I absolutely admire and enjoy so much. However, I am not a professional dancer and when I saw the schedule for our 10 days of training, a question came to my whole being. “Have you conquered your fear of man or is it a struggle still?” I knew the Lord wanted to show me something. I took a moment to meditate and answered by saying, “You have made me free. I'm not afraid of what others would think or say anymore. Thank you for giving me security in who I am in You and for transforming my life for your purpose.” Our communication was very clear and real, can you see it? It was amazing. 

Love and Service

Something that the Lord has been teaching me is to be attentive, to see what needs to be done, and to just go ahead and do it. 

Influence is contagious! One night I was taking the garbage out of our dorms and some people said, “Thank you, Nili.”  But someone else came to me, took it from my hands and walked with me to the container. So, at the end, it was teamwork and a reminder that by unity and love, the world will know that we are disciples of the Lord. We want that, right?

Ladies - Mis amigas y hermanas 

Since 2017, I've been serving with Youth with a Mission and it's been an awesome experience. It has also been a place of loneliness, as I live away from my family, church and friends. Also, it's been a place of growth. I’ve been challenged to step out of my comfort zone and to develop leadership skills and a very necessary dependence on the Lord's grace to accomplish His purpose.

Coming from a season of being "the boss", I was really excited about not being in charge and just enjoying the flow of what the Lord was doing. 

I very much enjoy connecting with people and I'm very passionate about friendships and connections led by the Lord. Through love, willingness, care, prayers and obedience, the Lord has helped me to let go of certain things and people. I’ve forgiven hurtful actions and words of the past and received a fresh start for this new season in my life.

Through this team of old and new friends and sisters, the Lord brought back to me the sweet and powerful freedom of being an intentional, loving and genuine friend/sister/daughter/servant/leader. I will always treasure all the laughter, help, hugs, prayers, notes, beats, jokes and moments we shared together. It's an honor to be connected to all of you. Thank you again for being such a blessing to me. 

Ministry - Outreach - Ministry

I have a passion for interpretation. It was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Now, the Lord has given me the tools to do it and it is something that I love. Being the only Spanish native speaker in the team, I was aware that this trip would bring many opportunities to use this gift. It was a pleasure for me to be able to interpret for the Arrows directors, team members and hosts as they taught the Word and various dance classes. 

For ministry/prayer time after outreaches, we'd divide in groups. One night in Lima, after an outreach in a plaza, we had the opportunity to talk to a man who was really touched by what he saw. He described what he was feeling as peace and warmth. It was very special for me to interpret the words that our director Natalie was sharing with Him. We prayed together and he committed to read the Bible, little by little. Knowing how the Scriptures have changed my life, I was very encouraged and excited for him! We know and pray the Lord will continue to guide his path toward Him and that he will encounter freedom and abundant/eternal life. 

Thank You again Lord, for everything you have given me! Thank you for restoring, healing and refreshing me, for giving me passion and purpose, and for doing exceedingly above what I can think or imagine. You are the best companion in this amazing adventure You designed for me: to soar higher, become balanced by your hands and sharpened by your Word, and to hit the mark to advance Your kingdom. 

- Nilivette, from Panama (Summer Team Member: Costa Rica/Peru 2019)