Supporting Our Brothers and Sisters in Prayer

God is so unbelievable! I continue to be more and more convinced of His hand in my life and in the lives of my students. Two amazing things happened this last week with my students. While the two may seem unrelated, I believe that one crucial thing connects them- the power of prayer. One is an answer to prayer, and the other, a call to prayer.

Last week, my 3rd graders were coming inside from their morning recess. Most often, this is a time when I stand by the door to the room and remind each of them that they are back inside and that their voice levels should now be significantly lower than before. :-) One student always seems to need reminding. Her name is Ana (Gabby) Munoz. She is a darling girl, who always seems to struggle with knowing when it's appropriate to talk, when it's not, and at what level all of this should be. This time, however, she was completely silent. At first, I was cheering, thinking, "She's got it!!". But then I noticed that she was silently crying. She rarely cries. I asked her what had happened, and she said, "I say sorry to Ana and she won't accept it." My heart broke.

So I pulled both of the girls out to talk this over with them. Apparently, they had each hurt the other's feelings, and when Ana  had ignored Gabby, she lost it, and hit her. When she told me this, I can honestly say I wasn't super shocked. Anger, irritation, and revenge are pretty normal responses for her. While this all may seem trivial to read (normally I would agree), what she said next made me cry...literally and right in front of her. "Miss Cooper, I try and try to not be angry, and I pray and pray at church and in school, but it just builded up in my insides and I couldn't help it. So I hit her. Me was wrong. I say sorry to God, and to Ana, but she won't accept it."

Wow. This coming from a child who, last year, felt it was okay (normal even) to cheat on a test, and who had no problem doing and saying all the wrong things, had finally realized that the only way she could change was to turn to the Lord. She knew what she had done was wrong, had repented of her sins to the Lord first, and then had tried to restore her relationship with her friend. It was at that moment that, even though she had been horrible to her friend, I was so super proud of her.

I know it was because there are people, all over the world, who lift her up in prayer on a daily basis. She is not alone. There are people who are fighting for her life every day in the best place that the battle can be won- in the Spirit. It is making a difference in her life. It may be slow in coming, but the change is not just an outward change. It's happening on the inside first. That is the best place for it to start for it to create a lasting change in her life. So for those of you helping in fighting her battle, I say, THANK YOU! You are making a difference in her life!

When I think about the power of prayer, I realize that it is the best and, sometimes, the only way that a battle can be won. So many times, we are unable to be involved in helping with a situation. At times, it makes us feel inadequate and helpless. But that isn't the case. We can affect change simply by taking time out of our lives to communicate a need to the Lord. He hears and knows.

I was recently sent this letter from a friend about an opportunity to help change the lives of college students in Texas. I'm super excited about this! At first, I was going to do this by myself. But then, as I read Caitlyn's letter, I was struck by two things. First, the theme verse- Isaiah 40:29-31. It just so happens, that right now, my students are memorizing this verse for a presentation that we will be giving to parents for our 1st annual Open House. The second thing was the timing. The retreat will be held one week after our Open House! It may seem to some like I'm reading into this, but if I've learned anything from this group of 3rd graders it's this-God uses strange and seemingly insignificant details to make amazing things happen. For this reason, my students will be participating in the prayer project with Caitlyn and the other leaders of Raider Awakening. I hope that other people will see the incredible opportunity that this is and join with us!

Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to me. Feel free to pass it along to anyone that you know who has a prayer ministry, or just really has a desire to affect change!



My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My name is Caitlyn Ritz and I am a junior at Texas Tech University and an active member in the
Catholic Student Ministries here in Lubbock, Texas. I am writing you today on behalf of Raider
Awakening #47. Raider Awakening is a retreat for college students designed and planned completely by college students. Its purpose is to help the students strengthen their personal relationship with Christ and to find a community in which they can further grow and serve our Lord. I retreated Raider Awakening #41 during my first semester as a freshman at Texas Tech University. It was here at this retreat that God set me on fire for Him in a way that I had never experienced before. He presented me with a community that has pushed me to expand my faith and personal relationship with Christ, as well as to serve Him. Since retreating, He has called me to staff and even lead the Raider Awakening community. I now have the honor of being the Palanca speaker for Raider Awakening #47. Palanca is the Spanish word for lever. The Palanca talk uses the analogy of a lever to illustrate how, with constant prayer and sacrifice; we are able to be lifted up by Christ, especially when we are weighed down by sin and the hardships in our lives. It is through this lever of prayer and love that Raider Awakening continues to bring the retreaters closer to the Body of Christ. The theme for Raider Awakening #47 is A Hope to Live For. The verse accompanying our theme is Isaiah 40: 29, 31. The theme and verse for this retreat have challenged each of the staffers to discover what their hope for Raider Awakening #47 is and to pray for the hopes of the retreaters as well. My hope for this retreat is that the retreaters realize the power of love, prayer, and community on the retreat and in their own lives. This hope is what drives me to contact you today. What I ask of you today is a very important favor. I would like for you to join us in the Palanca of Raider Awakening #47 by offering up prayers for the retreaters. The retreat will take place on September 21-23, 2012. I would also ask you to write a letter of prayer for the retreat so that the retreaters are able to see the extent of the love, prayer, and community that surrounds them. A major tradition of this retreat is to wrap the entire room with a poster filled with these letters of prayer that demonstrate God’s love. These letters do not have to be elaborate and can incorporate anything from drawings or photographs, to sacrifices, to words of encouragement. Please involve as many people as possible in writing letters and praying for this retreat. In the past, people have forwarded letters to their schools, Sunday classes, and vacation bible schools. People have also sent letters to their priest or pastor, bible studies, and to their families and friends. There is no limit to what prayer can do, so please feel free to send as many letters as you can! I want the retreaters to be overwhelmed by the amount of love and prayer that not only surrounds them physically during the Palanca talk, but surrounds them constantly in their everyday lives. Below is my contact information. Please mail or e-mail the letters to me, whichever is more convenient for you. You may start sending letters to me as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your support and selfless love of our organization. We ask for you to please lift up and pray for the retreaters in the months to come. I cannot stress how much your prayers will contribute to making this retreat possible. I will be praying for you as well as we prepare for Raider Awakening #47! Please contact me with any questions or concerns. My phone number is 915-861-6577.
God Bless you!

With His eternal love,

Caitlyn Ritz

You may send letters to:
St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Student Center
C/O Caitlyn Ritz
2304 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79401-2917

E-mail: palanca47@gmail.com

Phone: 915-861-6577

His Direction Continues

I am totally amazed at how God speaks to children! I know I've said this before, but it's something that still amazes me. Working with this group of 14 3rd-graders has taught me so much. The last 2 countries that my class has prayed for have been pretty intense.We've entered into a season of prayer for Africa. My last post told about how the kids chose Niger, a country that is still struggling with many issues- mainly the lack of food and water due to drought and tons of refugees from neighboring Mali. Since I felt I "knew" my kids so well, I figured that the next country would be something like Brazil, Argentina, or Spain (they've been on the radar for a while since my class is primarily boys who adore soccer). I was surprised when they chose Libya, a country that had never really been mentioned in class (just like most of the countries for which we've prayed). We discovered that many of the same tribes that we had prayed for in Niger were also located in Libya, but were unfortunately at the center of great conflict in the south of the country. For my students, it was a chance to continue to pray for the Taureg tribes of the Sahara Region.

The 3rd grade class choosing a country this last week.

 Fast forward a week and a half. The next country- Mali. When I asked one of my students (Ana Canto) why, she replied, "This part of Africa still needs help." Talk about a child that is sensitive to the Spirit!!As I researched the country, I realized how intricately these 3 countries (Niger, Libya, and Mali) were connected. All of which are cause for some serious prayer! Here is what I discovered:

1. The Taureg people of Libya have been creating serious conflict in the southern region of the country. With the downfall of Qaddafi, tons of weapons were sent to Mali. 

2. The Tauregs of Mali have used these weapons to continue with their takeover of Northern Mali in towns like Timbuktu, which has created a new state of Mali- Azawad; an completely Islamic state. This action has forced many missionaries to flee to the southern part of the country. (This all came to a climax within the last 2 weeks)


3. All this conflict in Mali has forced millions of refugees into neighboring Niger, who is already suffering from serious food and water shortages.

I know that God is going to do something incredible in these countries. I pray that as these precious 3rd-graders watch all this unfold, they will realized that the God that we serve is powerful, loving, and perfect. Please continue to pray not only for these countries, but also for the children in my class.

Hilary Alvarez

Nicolas Athanasiadis

Adonys Bravo

Ana (Gina) Canto

Jairo Cortez

Misael Diaz

Mick McLean

Angelly (Gigi) Meza

Ana (Gabby) Munoz

Emanuel Ortega

Guadalupe Ortiz

Rodrigo Rojas

Felix Suira

Adonis (Ariel) Vergara

Prayer Warriors

 As a new week started at Doulos, I was struck by a sudden thought- while it's great that the 3rd graders are praying for different nations, should it stop there? No! The amazing thing about prayer is that everyone can participate. We may not be able to physically journey to a foreign country to lend a helping hand, but in our prayers, we are helping in one of the most powerful ways possible- in the Spirit. So with this in mind, I am asking you to join with my 3rd graders each week and lift up the countries that are chosen. Together, I really believe a difference can be made!

This week, my students have selected to pray for Niger in West Africa. I contacted a YWAM Centre in Abalak and asked them if they had any specific prayer needs. Here is what they said:

1. Niger is a Muslim country. Please pray for hearts to be open to receive the Lord.
2. Right now there is an extreme food shortage due to drought which may very well become a famine in the coming months.  
3. Due to the drought and food shortages, many nomads (primarily the Taureg and Wodaabe tribes) have lost their livestock, which is their livelihood. 
4. All around Niger, countries are at war or there is civil unrest. Many war refugees are fleeing to Niger, which is putting even more of a strain on the country.
5. Above all, pray that the believers there can make a significant difference in the lives of a very hurting country.

 Each week, I will post the list of prayer requests so that you can join with us in prayer. Let's make a difference!

No Such Thing as Coincidence

Nothing is a coincidence; the Lord really has everything under control. This was proven to me this past week. Every week, my 3rd graders go to the map and decide on a country that they want to pray for the following week. Last week, the children decided to pray for Russia, a country that had never really come up in conversation. I was pleasantly surprised, so with a smile on my face, I emailed the home office of YWAM Russia, asking if they had any prayer requests. The following day I received an email from a woman named Katya saying that the big need at the moment was the presidential elections. The amazing thing for me was that the day we were to start praying for Russia was the first day of the new president's term! I laughed, realizing that the Lord had laid Russia on the hearts of my 8 year-olds! 

Then this last Friday, I asked the children what country they wanted to pray for next. After a very short time at the map, they unanimously chose Canada. I told them that I had several friends in different parts of Canada and I would ask them if they had any prayer requests for the country. 30 minutes later, a group of 5 volunteers show up at the school asking to help for the day. You guessed it, they were from Toronto, Canada! I was shocked! When I told the kids where they were from, they had these huge grins on their faces and said, "We're praying for Canada!". For me, it was another confirmation that the Lord really wants to work through the lives of these 14 students. 

I love when the Lord speaks. When it comes through children, I sit up and listen a little more.

The 3rd Graders with the team from Canada and our director, Emilio.

New Year, New Outlook

As I start the new school year in the morning, I am humbled by all that has led me to this point. So many people have helped in so many different ways that I can't even express in words how blessed I've been this past year. I realized that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for people taking the time to pray for me, investing financially in my life and ministries, and being a listening ear or a kind touch when I was thousands of miles from the only family I've ever known. These people have shown kindness in a way that I wish to exemplify.

Needless to say, when I reflected on this last year, it made me think about something more pressing. What am I really doing to make a difference in the world in which I live? I'm not talking about the world as a whole- although that is important. I'm talking about the small section of the world that I call home right now. I thought, "I teach at a local school for underprivileged children", thinking that was good enough. Yet, when I really dissected my intentions, it wasn't good enough. Why am I teaching at Doulos and how much am I really serving there? What is my real mission there? Is it simply to give a good education in English so that the kids there have a better chance at a job and future?

I was hit with an understanding of my own arrogance. It's not about the perfect learning style or figuring out the best way to teach a child. It's about loving them and caring for them as an extension of the Lord. This hit me really hard this morning. My goals and intentions for last year were not good enough. They needed to be adjusted for this next year. I needed to see these children as more than another group of children that needed my English skills (which, ironically, have declined significantly in the last few months), but as blessings from the Lord that needed my eyes, mouth, arms, hands, and feet to be like that of the Lord Jesus. That's the only reason I should be at school. Education is great, don't get me wrong. But I had the priorities all mixed up. My desire for these children should be to see them love the Lord with a passion that is contagious. It's the only way that the area will be transformed. It's not me who will change things. It has to be the Lord.

Then I thought about the adults that are are a part of my life. Am I serving them the way that the Lord has designed me to serve? Am I selfish in the service that I do? How can I be Jesus to the people on base and in the community (outside of school)? I don't have all the answers yet. Not by a long shot! But I do know that things have to change. I'm praying that this year I can be His hands and feet to everyone that I touch. I ran across this great quote by Frederick Buechner:

-“The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.”

It's the little things that we do for each other. Make them count!