Never the Same from Aubrey Koukol on Vimeo.

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm back! It was such a joy to serve the people in Guatemala, and I can not express my appreciation enough. Your prayer and financial support made this trip such a success. Over 4000 Guatemalans surrendered their life to Christ. He was working in so many ways in so many people. I know that I will Never be the Same. God has broken my heart for these people. I feel called by Him to sometime in the future back and do even more. My personal faith and walk with God has changed so tremendously, I don't know where to begin. there is such a power in God's name. Prayer is a huge tool. God hears the cry of the opressed, and He does answer, and that's through us, His people. (Exodus 3:7-8)

At the beginning of the trip, our leader asked us what our expectations were. This past Saturday, he asked us if they were met, and then asked us why. I thought about me personally, and here are my reasons:

~I had a clean heart before God
~I was willing to do what He asked
~I was expecting him to do it

Then again, I wrote down last night what it would take for me to Never be the Same.

~To share the power of being in the body of Christ - - the love, bondage, accountability, trust, passion, and dedication.
~To show the love of Christ, and help others to tear through their struggles.
~To live and understand the power of prayer and faith.
~To live what I believe.
~To keep my eyes open, and not to pretend that I don't know what to do.
~To be about what God's about.
~To be obedient to what God has shown me.
~To repent, turn around, and believe.

Thank you all again for helping me get to Guatemala, and for carrying me through with prayer. I can't wait to get home next week and share my stories!

Much love,
Aubrey

Miracles

Guatemala, what a beautiful country. The people, the mountains, the volcanos are all awe-inspiringly beautiful. After seeing what an amazing country Guatemala is, and experiencing the revival that went on there, I cannot come home the same person. I got to see so many people come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, but there is one story, among others, that I particularly remember and will not forget easily.

We had just done the drama twice, once in a park another in a school, when we loaded onto the bus to head back to the Hotel. The entire team was excited after seeing many children accept Christ into their lives at the school, and we all wanted to do the drama one more time in another town. So we kept our eyes open for a good place to perform it. We were nearly back at the hotel when we spotted a place, a large park next to a huge church with a soccer game going on next to it. We headed off the bus and got into small groups to go invite people to come see the drama. The people there were very nice and most in the park came and watched us, but there was one man whom God had divinely placed there to see the drama.

His name was Jose. Jose had serial palsy and sat in a wheelchair. His hearing was very poor and he could only walk about two steps at a time with a walker. This was caused mostly by his lack of a kneecap in his left leg, Jose's left leg was only a straight piece of bone with a foot at the end. He could not bend it, or put much weight on it.

After performing the drama and giving an invitation to come to Christ we went out to talk to the people individually. A few from the group went up to Jose and the others around him. I was talking to a lady a little bit away from Jose. My teammates who spoke to Jose learned that he had accepted Christ during the invitation. They began to pray over him and his leg, and miraculously, Jose grew a knee! I still do not fully understand it but the Lord gave Jose a knee. After about fifteen minutes, Jose was walking, almost at a jog. This amazed the locals, and many believed in Christ because of it. I know that the Lord had a plan with us stopping to do the drama one last time that day and I know God had a plan far greater than just healing Jose's leg, people came to know Christ, the greatest miracle of all.

How Great is Our God? He's Huge!

Hey. I thought I would write a post going into details that I haven't said yet. First, you would be surprised on how modern Guatemala is. All the pleasures of the U.S.: McDonalds, Chuck-E-Cheese, and some of the same clothing brands as us, Abercrombie, Etc. The Latinos will typically wear more modern clothing, while Guatemalans of Mayan descent will wear the more traditional clothing.
Even among the beauty, though, there is poverty. We have been sheltered from most of the worst of it, but what we have seen is still moving. I feel like I am now accountable for what I have witnessed, and that now that my eyes have been opened, I can't pretend I don't know what to do. The people here aren't always lucky to get a nice job at a market-store or at a restaurant. Most sell things that they only know how to make, and how much they eat that night depends on how much they sold. I have seen kids as young as 4 and as old as 87 working in the fields. These people have to work all the time just to put food on the table and provide for their families.
We have been doing most of our ministry days in Antigua, not Guatemala City. Guatemala though, is absolutely beautiful. Mountains and volcanoes are visible from every angle. The colors of the crumbling houses, the sky, traditional clothing, it's all so beautiful.

Ok, back to Luis. I feel so blessed to have such a huge roll in a child of God's life. He is so special to me, and his mother is such a nice lady. Every time that things might have been tough, I think of him. It is such an honor to sponsor him. When it was time for him to go, he left and came back to give me "one more hug" 5 times! !t was adorable.

On July 9th, Thursday, we went to a soup kitchen. After we did our drama, my roommate Leah shared her testimony. I just remember sitting there on the ground, and seeing a blind man sitting down at a table,then asking God to do something huge. I clearly heard Him say to me, "Shh. Aubrey, don't worry. I've got it all under control. Just watch and be willing to let me use you." Whoa. Uh, ok God, Uhm. Thanks.

We went into the crowd and prayed with people, and gave them hope to break through their addictions. My teammate Rebecca came soon up to me, extatic, telling me that she had just prayed with a man to accept Christ, and he gave up his addiction of alcohol...20 years!!! I thought that was exactly the things God would be doing that day..but no...

Soon after, quite randomly, the first lady of Guatemala showed up. That was huge. There was so much publicity, it was unbelievable. She thanked us for what we were doing, and invited us to the palace to give us a ceremony to name us Ambassadors of Guatemala. UNHEARD OF.
My teammate Abby, whispered to me, "I wonder if she's saved." We paused, then wide-eyed, I said, "That would be HUGE!!!
(the word huge was said a lot that day)

So I tapped on the translator's shoulder in front of me, and asked him. "I don't know." he replied, as he shoved me right in front of her. She saw me and said hello, (she spoke English, but was speaking Spanish for the TV crews) and some random divine courage dwelled up in me as I point blank asked her if she had ever accepted Christ into her life.
She paused for a moment, then said, "Well, I'm Catholic, and my husband is Mayan." (witchcraft.)

I then held out both hands and asked to pray with her. The Holy spirit filled me up and gave me the words to say. 6 cameras were on me. I was a nervous wreck but I prayed with the first lady of Guatemala.
(The only way I can say this is me, is by pointing out the green fingernails...if you know me, you know I always have crazy nails...)
I thought that was it. Thats all God wanted me to do. But no. He was showing off. He brought another tv crew in, and and the same translator came up and pushed me in front of it. With my friends supporting me, I prayed for Guatemala there. (but wait, theres more)

Two radio stations showed up, and he pushed me there too.
Can I just say that we serve an awesome God?!
After that, I was crying, and shaking, I was just so overjoyed. Our God is HUGE.
The translator came up to me and said:
"I feel God is leading me to tell you this. You will be used to do bigger things than this still. You are proving that you have the faith. Well done."
Wow.

Yesterday, we had a 3 1/2 hour bus ride and a 45 minute ferry ride (both ways) to go to a small village, and do our drama. We did, and many came to know Christ. My face got a little sunburnt, I was sitting on the top of the ferry, but it was worth it: I got an amazing view of God's creation.


How great is our God? He's Huge.
Aubrey

Meeting Luis

Hola again from Guatemala!
I really have no words to say, but to put it into one sentence: I met Luis yesterday!!!
It was so precious!! He was so much fun to hang out with! When he gave me a hug and smiled with his toothless mouth, I could see the joy of Christ in him, and at that point, everything was worth it. He came with his mom as well as his teacher, and we had out own translator. We played tag, tossed a ball, swung, played on the playground,

! and tried to yoyo and hacky-sack.
After that, he surprisingly showered me with gifts, artwork from school, school pictures, a shirt, a bandanna, and a lion keychain. I almost cried when I saw he was wearing the bracelet I gave him...over a year ago. He loved his gifts also, especially the vans, which he said were "Awesome".
So this is just the basic story. I really can't express the emotions of joy and happiness I'm feeling. Still doing fine with health, Aaron is still saying he'll post soon. C:
much love,
aubrey

Serving with the Body of Christ

So now it's Tuesday. This time has flown by so fast! I am crazy excited to get back in the states to be with family and friends, but at the same time I never want to leave. My peers have shown me the love of Christ, and helped me through my struggles, and I know I can do the same for them. We already have agreed to hold accountability to each other, but know it's not going to be easy at all when we get home.
Anyways, so yesterday we went to a brand new church thats being built in Antigua, and we painted. I'm sure you can see where this ended up. Yep, we painted each other, and I mean, it was crazy!

Right after we painted ourselves, we had a drama. We went into the paint fight not knowing that we had a drama almost immediately after...that was interesting. The paint was red, and stained our skin.
It was me, Tyler, and our LIT Joanna that probably had it the worst. But it was absolutely the most fun of my life painting all crazy and jammin' to Spanish Hillsong.
It's also been awesome because the president of Guatemala acknowledged us being here and is giving us police escorts throughout the city.

Today we did a drama twice at a school. That was a great turnout, over 90 new believers.


Tomorrow I get to do 2 great things: eat Burger king!!! but more importantly, meet Luis. It's more money than I thought it would be to get him here, but I'll call you hopefully tonight or tomorrow mom and I can take care of it. Anyways, health is all good, and weather is a little chilly, but its all good.
Love to all, and thanks for the prayers,
Aubrey
(I promise I asked Aaron to write on here, but hes always busy, I'm sorry Mrs. W-H! He said he would do it soon. C:)

God is Changing Lives, in the mission country and the Missionaries!

Hola!

Sorry it's been a while since I´ve posted, we have been really busy.

Saturday, we went to do a few dramas in a park. We went around the city a little to try to get more people to come. Pretty interesting, we walked in the streets and were in my opinion too close to cars...
We obviously stand out being "grincos" or "white people" but it's even more of a scene with us in our makeup and costume C:

When the dramas were over, I got the awesome opportunity to share my testimony. Mostly, it was younger children who have been giving their life to Christ.



While on the bus to get lunch for a break, our team leader, Jill, saw what looked like a prostitute house across the street. A few of our team members got some money together, and went to go get a girl out. They talked to her for a while, and found out that she had 3 children, and was doing what she could to support them. They told her about Christ´s love, and His provision, and asked them to pray with her,so of course, they did. Tyler had an extra Spanish Bible on the bus, so He gave it to her to have. She went back and quit her job. Please pray for her that God would provide her with a new job opportunity soon for her and her kids.

Yesterday, we had a day of rest. In the morning, we had a church service with Ayiesha Woods leading worship then free time until 4 with a few seminars to choose from. The first one I went to was about all relationships in our lives, and how to keep them Godly and pure. The next one I went to was just an informational about Compassion.

I have already been seeing a huge transformation in my view of God. There have been physical miracles, I´ll let Aaron share about that, he said he would post something ¨Soon¨. And I have seen the power of being in a body of Christ, the bondage, trust, passion, and dedication to doing his will. We are all on fire. I really feel a call from God to bring this back to the Sr. High ministry. I don´t think people really understand the power of God, and what it's like to just worship in His presence, and to truly be in a body of Christ. I want them to! There´s absolutely nothing like it.

A Day at the Orphanage in Guatemala

Hey guys
So sorry I had to cut it short yesterday. I ran out of the computer time so fast! We only have 15 minutes. Anyways, I just wanted to write a more detailed blog post on whats been happening.

We arrived at our hotel in Guatemala around 7p local time thursday night. (Guatemalan time is 2 hours behind us.) As soon as we got to the resort, we went downstairs to eat a late dinner then check in and go to bed. Our day started early friday morning with breakfast, team devos, and loading the bus to head out to outer Antigua to an orphanage.

The scenery on the way was amazing. From what I hear, we are sometime going to go up to a volcano, as well as go sailing. Wednesday I meet Luis!! I saw the updated picture and he is so cute! I am so ecstatic!

God has so far blessed us with safe travels, and my personal health. Please keep a girl named Abby in your prayers though, shes not feeling well.

Anyways we got to the orphanage and got to play with a bunch of kids. These kids were all infected with HIV and were between the ages of 2 and 5.

Soon after, a little boy, who none of the nuns knew his name, (I named him Pedro) became attached to my hip. He would cry everytime I put him down, or lift up his hands to grab mine. He was so cute!

While I was with him, one of the older boys who was in the 6th grade, offered to show me and a few others the whole orphanage, the classrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, garden, pigs, and turkeys. Although I couldn't understand everything he was saying, I could tell that he was very proud. When we stopped at the classroom, he showed us his artwork, and gave me a bracelet that he had made.
I ended up talking to the teacher, and got to know her. By then, we loaded back on the bus to eat the lovely pb&j, do our makeup and costume. Me as well as the 10 other mimes, are very special...and scary lookin. Nevertheless, the kids still loved us.

We were delayed 2 hours to do our drama because we forgot all of our sound equipment at the resort, but team 3 came to our rescue with theirs. After the drama, many people came to Christ. It was amazing to see God's power work through the people. After praying we got to hang out with the kids and we handed our our gifts. They were so happy, they loved it. After this, we got back on the bus, and headed back to the hotel. From then on it was hang out time until dinner. I sat by the pool with friends who are also from the OH, and we did a study on John 1. It was cool. After that we went to dinner and FUAGNEM. That was friday. Weather is normal, not too hot. Thanks for all of your support. You're awesome. Happy 4th of july!!
aubrey

First Day in Guatemala

Hola!

We got in guatemala yesterday. The flight was about 2 1/2 hours, and the views from the flight were breathtaking..
It's such a beautiful country! The volcanos and mountains are amazing. I am amazed too on how modern it is, complete with all of the delicious fast food places..mmmm. C:
We did our drama today, the kids LOVED the bracelets. The drama went amazingly, it was such a success, there's huge parties going on in heaven, many came to Christ. We also worked at the orphanage today.

I got the best job and got to play with the kids instead of doing work. I felt bad, the work jobs were messy and stinky, but I was volunteered to stay with them, so of course I did. They are all so beautiful and precious.

Well please keep us in your prayers, I might get on later tonight to put on more details, but I have to go now, my time is up on the computer.
aubrey

Go Boldly and let His Light Shine

Good morning Daughter. I am excited for you today! Here is a devotion as you go out to do the Lords work today!

2 Cor. 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

2 Cor 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Cor. 4: 1-6 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go Boldly, in His truth and strength. Continue to allow His lilkeness to grow in you, and let His light shine upon the people of Guatemala and transform their lives.

Love you!
Mom

Preparing our Hearts and Bodies for Ministry

Hey just checking in.
(Yes!! I have met liberty, she's on my team! She's the evil magician in the drama, and she's amazing!!)
We have been doing more drama practice here today, along with more language training and all. Today we reviewed phrases, and learned a few songs. It's really cool, and extremely challenging.
My arms though are SOOOO tired! I have to hold them up, perfectly still for 90% of the play! I'm convinced I'm gonna be so muscular C:

...My roommates and I are on the 5th floor, and we have to use stairs, not the elevator, so between the drama and the stairs it's "training" in every sense of the word!!

Last night I got to meet even more people. It's been awesome.
I love seeing how God is working to change our lives here already when it's only been 3 days that we've been here.

I got a picture with Susie Shellenberger, as well as Jamie Jamgochian, and Susie gave out free Susie mags, and she signed it..haha it makes me feel like I've met famous people. C;

I've been taking a lot of pictures of our drama training and all of my new buds. C:

So far so good when it comes to health. As far as I know, nobody is sick, so that's a huge praise, as well as coming really close to my roommates here.

Weather here is rainy and humid. :(
We leave for Guatemala at 11a tomorrow, it's a direct flight, sorry that I said that we stopped in Mexico, some teams are stopping there as well as Panama, but our team has a direct flight. It's about 3 hours. So keep travel in your prayers... much love.

aubrey
p.s. I talked to Aaron, Starr and Miranda, and told them they could make posts on here too, but I'm not sure if they're going to or not. So just keep an eye out for that. C:

Drama training....and more of it

So this morning I woke up at 6:22. Yes, it's random, but the sun was shining right through the window. My roommates are pretty much awesome. (Hannah, Liz, Megan, and Mandie)
After getting ready,we soon went down to breakfast, had a team meeting, and at 8:30 started drama training. Just finished for a quick break at 11:45 and ate Subway. It was delicious. Now I'm getting ready to go to Language training, to learn a few phrases for Guatemala.



Yesterday's smoothie hunt with Dani and Tim included a trip to Publix, (and some funny pictures), and a stop at the pet store...which we will never again do...it's impossible to get Tim out! C:
(a few of the many....)

So that's all I really have to post about. Jamie Jam worship last night was a blast. It's amazing to be surrounded with so many other teens my age that all have the same passion for Christ AND the same mission.
I get to meet Luis next wednesday, so I'm getting excited for that. We leave for Guatemala thursday. It's been cool to meet these people too. Miranda, Aaron, Danii, and Starr. Lots of others too. Getting close to my roomies, as well as my team.
I'll post again soon!!
Aubrey

Aubrey is in Miami!!!

Hey guys it's Aubrey. Just wanted to give an update.
I'm in miami at the hotel. I arrived here about 1:00 this afternoon.
When I got to my gate in Atlanta, there were a few girls there that were going on the trip as well (it's kinda hard to miss those bright shirts!). One of the girls, Dani, is on my team!
Once we got to the Miami Airport, we hung out for a while, waiting on other flights to come in. Dani and I went to the food court to grab lunch, and split a Fruit Salad from CPK...yum.

There are so far about 100 students are here...more arriving every moment.
I've met some of my teammates and leaders. It's gonna be really cool to meet everyone.
Just having hangout time now. Dani, Tim, and I are about to go smoothie hunting. C:

FUAGNEM (fired up and going nuts every moment)is at 7, and dinner is delivered to our rooms at 6. (Team 10!!!!)
So... that's basically all I have to write about now. I'll post something as soon as more exciting things happen.

Thanks for the prayers, I arrived safely and on time,
Love to all.
Aubrey