Second Week in Mexico

Buenos Dias Todos!
I am just about to finish my second week here in Mexico and the Lord has moved mightily in teaching, in outreach, and in many different types of worship. This week, we had a wonderful teacher come onto the YWAM base named Bruce Stefanik. Having been a missionary for about 15 years and currently leading a church, Bruce had powerful teaching. He focused mainly on discipleship and the church. God really spoke to my heart! One of the topics Bruce touched on was the strength of a church and its people during one of life’s storms, conflict. Honestly I am one who moves away from conflict, a habit most of us are prone to, but Bruce stated that within the church, if conflict should arise, the body of Christ must necessarily work through it. This perseverance and endurance will cause growth and unity. If we are the body of Christ we must work as one, without division and discord because often our lives are the only gospel people read. The bible states that we are the aroma of Christ and that also, we are the body of Christ. Thus we are to emulate his actions, and that calls for unity. So many have abandoned the church due to discord and disagreements. I would encourage us to pursue healing rather than running away from uncomfortable situations. It was such an amazing week for teaching.
Another area where God is growing me tremendously is in language. I have really begun to pick up more vocabulary and understand the people better. Just recently our team got together for a prayer meeting, and because there were no leaders there, I translated everything. It wasn’t perfect translation, but I was so excited because everyone got the main ideas.
On the other hand, my body hasn’t been doing so well. After a 24 hour fast, I decided to eat a taco and my body rejected that completely, so I have been sick for a couple of days. My ear has gotten infected and swollen to the point that I look like bozo. Last night I made my first trip to the doctor’s office and got some anti-biotic medication for my ear. Please be praying- Satan is doing a number on my health.
I love you all very much. I hope all is well at home. God bless and keep you!
Grace and peace.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Unity between my team mates
2. My Spanish would develop
3. My body would adjust to the food and my stomach pain would ease
4. The infection in my ear would go away

In Christ Alone,
Lauren Conrad

Hola from Mexico!

Hola from Mexico!
Here I am, sitting in the beautiful courtyard in Ensenada, Mexico, after classes and lunch. I arrived in Ensenada, Mexico, on Friday, June 9th, around 3pm (6pm our time). Then we waited for another student from Switzerland. Once we had everyone, we went to a small fiesta at one of the staffs house. We didn't get to the base until 12pm, or 3pm our time. That was a long , but wonderful day. While I thought that there would be 15 students, there are only 12, but that is a wonderful number. There are only three girls, one of which is married. Consequently, Erin, my new friend, and I are sharing a room meant for 10 people. This is going to be a wonderful DTS!!
Today we were learning about intercessory prayer which was amazing, and the Lord really spoke! This whole week has been a time for learning and growth. Just yesterday we found out our destination for outreach. We are moving from one place to another throughout those two months, but I am excited to see what God is going to do and what relationships He will grow. The plan for outreach is this:
1. First we will spend two weeks in Tecate, Mexico, working with the people in this area and starting to build a new YWAM base in Tecate.

2. Afterwards, we will head to Colombia where we will work in a city called Cartehenas and a nearby island that suffers from extreme poverty. We will stay there for three weeks.

3. Finally, we will head out to the Panama City, Panama, and deep into the jungles. Our plan for this area is to reach out to many different Indian tribes in the jungles.

With this new plan for outreach, the price of the trip has increased about $1,000. I am confident that the Lord will raise the funds for all in the DTS. If you feel led to give, you can send monetary support to this address:

YWAM San Diego/Baja

Lauren Conrad (DTS)

100 West 35th street Suite C

National City, CA. 91950

Many of the students here need monetary support as well and I am hoping to be able to help them.

I feel that all these areas of mission work are going to be wonderful. Everything has been amazing and I wish you could all experience the beauty of the body of Christ working in this place. I will be sure to update this soon. I talked to my mom for the first time yesterday and she seemed to be pretty upset that I hadn't updated my blog yet, but as you can imagine, I don't have a lot of time to do it. I will do my best to keep you all updated. And please feel free to e-mail me or send me a message on my blog. My e-mail is: laurenconrad88@hotmail.com.