Living For HIM

"We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love." Mother Teresa

[kailahcoates]

Oh How Time Fly's!

These are pictures from the Color Run in Birmingham, AL last fall. This was a day my friend Taylor and I planned for a few months and were ECSTATIC when the day finally came! Needless to say, nothing was going to stand in our way of making this an awesome day!

NOT EVEN THE RAIN!

It poured the whole time during that 5K. So......we made the best of it! Playing in the rain and running through color stations made me feel like a little kid with no care in the world. What I would do to experience this again! Because of the rain, many people did not even run (We did not!) All walks of life participated in this run kids, families, senior citizens, college students and Mommy's pushing strollers. It was such a great family event and atmosphere.

At the end of the race we took pictures with our left over powder and enjoyed the last little bit while it lasted. The drive home was interesting as we sat in our multicolored clothes and skin. SUCH GREAT MEMORIES!  

I will always remember my first color run!!!

[kailahcoates]

WOD for Water 2013! Supporting Never Thirst and helping building water wells in Indonesia and other parts of the world that need clean water! So glad @avlagrant decided to did the work out with me!! And got to see @frspann and @megancarson3 #tough #neverthirst #wodforwater

[kailahcoates]

Reality!

The reality is that I am growing up and there is nothing I can do to slow down the process. As this semester continues to pass, I am reminded that the real world is closely approaching. There are so many things rushing through my head when I think about my future. College has been one of the best times of my life, and I often wish I could stay at this chapter forever. However, this is not reality.

Anticipating what I will do with the rest of my life comes with many different emotions. The thought of a wedding, marriage and a family sounds awesome! Bills, a job and being responsible for more than just me is terrifying. But I know all of these things are on the horizon.

It may sound like I am not happy about growing up….but I think it’s just the unknown that really scares me. I want to be in control and I want to know how to prepare for what’s ahead but there are many things that are out of my control. I am learning how to let my worries go and allow the Lord to fulfill His plan. This is my reality!

[kailahcoates]

I had so much fun with these 4 ladies this Sunday! Sweet memories :-) Fishing, just dance, good food and riding in the woods always set you up for a good time! Love these girls so much! I'm so Thankful they came to Troy! @sarahjane2121

[kailahcoates]

My Adventures In Brazil!

While I was in Brazil this summer I experienced many different aspects of the culture. 

One of my favorite things in Brazil was having something called Acai'. Acai' is a fruit this grows in the jungles of Brazil that the natives make into a delicious snack! I had acai' many times while I was in Brazil and would do anything for another bowl! 

Everyday my teammates and I went to a college campus called UFMG. At UFMG we built friendships with many students. We became really close to some and were even able to meet one guys family. His name was Gabriel. Gabriel's father was a Karate teacher and gave us a few pointers about the arts. This is a photo of us after we completed our first session! 

An interesting part of the Brazilian culture was experiencing a college anatomy class. In the U.S. we use power point and animals to learn the different parts of the body in the classroom. However, in Brazil they use actual cadavers in the classroom to learn all the bones, organs and ligaments int the body. This is a photo of me outside of the lab. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, that is why you can not actually see the bodies.

One of the most exciting adventures that happened in Brazil was my first ever hiking trip. We went with some of the college students for the day and I had a blast.

Lastly,  one of the most important aspects of my adventures in Brazil is credited to my awesome team! I couldn't imagine spending those 7 weeks with any other group!

These are just a few pictures ti help tell my story!

[kailahcoates]

Used, Abused, Arrested and Deported

Recently I read an article called Used, Abused, Arrested and Deported: Extending Immigration Benefits to Protect the Victims of Trafficking and to Secure the Prosecution of Traffickers. The reason I even read this article was because I want to see Human Trafficking in the world come to an end. Many people are unaware of how much human trafficking and sex trafficking takes place in our world today. It is said that human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery, and here are over 27 million saves.

When one thinks of trafficking, the thought often goes to a foreign country. But many do not know that it happens in the United States, and fewer are aware that it happens all around us every day.  Every year over 450,000 people drive the 147-mile stretch of I-20 between Birmingham and Atlanta. Almost none of them realize that is America’s number one avenue for human trafficking and sex trafficking to take place, according to the Wellhouse in Birmingham.  I am from south Alabama and this is crazy to think that I have traveled that road hundreds of times. Human trafficking is a huge problem and until people are made aware of the issue, nothing will be done.

In the article, it talks about three different areas of human trafficking. The article was published by John Hopkins University Press and in their research they looked at how human trafficking has increased in different countries, why and how the government has failed to address this problem and they described two dominating anti-trafficking models. After reading the article I have come to agree with their stance about how the government has handled this issue. Often when a human trafficking case is discovered the victims are either arrested and deported or the offender is put in jail. The scholars found that in their research prosecutors do not want to tackle the difficult charge of prosecuting a trafficker when they can win the easier charges of prosecuting the victim for prostitution, document fraud, immigration or labor violations.

There are so many things wrong with that statement; I do not even know where to begin. However, I agree with the scholars in the fact that there must be a new system of how to help these trafficked victims. I believe 9 times out of 10 prostitution is not a choice. This is an opinion that I have that many disagree with me on. The first initial time when one chooses to sell themselves for money may have been a choice but the continual act is often, I believed, enforced by one else. This is a problem that will not be solved overnight; however action must be taken. When the world is broken over the victims of human trafficking and we stop caring only about ourselves, this issue will be stopped.

[kailahcoates]

TROY!

Troy University has been my home away from home for the past 3 years. I have grown to love this campus. Beginning my junior here as been a reality check that I am now on the tail end of my time here at Troy. It is really scary to imagine that in a little over a 2 years I will be out in the really world. I feel like this time of life is perfect. As a college student you have the freedom to come and go as you please, you have some responsibility but not responsibilities like paying bills and having a family. College has taught me a lot about myself and feel like it is preparing me for the future, although im not ready to fully be out on my own.

The future is terrifying. To think that I will no longer be in college or have to go to school everyday will definitely be a change. As a Communiations Major, I pray that I have a job when I graduate from college. As of right now, I do not want to stay and pursue a mastors degree. I am trusting that I am taking the right steps and that the Lord will provide a job! Troy University will always have a special place in my heart. I look forward to the day that I will be able to give back and invest in the University that helped me further my education. GO TROJANS!

[kailahcoates]

It was a sweet gift to have been able to celebrate Nath's graduation with her! Watching Pitch Perfect and eating Chocolate will always remind me of Brazil! We Love You and are so proud of you!! @avlagrant @emlypg @prilima8 @princesshannie @korritee @rhunter83840 @tatehanne #brazil #pitchperfect #girlsnight

[kailahcoates]

ReUNITED!

Priscila Lima!

This girl is one of the most kind hearted, sweet spirited and faithful followers of the Lord. I had the opportunity to spend 7 weeks serving alongside Pri this summer in Brazil! It was so amazing building a friendship with Pri and having her to lean on this summer. Pri has been a part of Campus Outreach Ministries for many years and is doing an awesome work at the UFMG. She has such a servants heart and did so much for our team. It has been a privilege to be a small part of her life and I am super excited that she has been here visiting in Troy.

Pri, Nath, Melanie and Wellinton are all staff member in Brazil and for the past 7 weeks they have been traveling around the southeast raising support to stay on staff. The  raise support process is long and stressful but they have been working hard and know the Lord will provide. The call to full time ministry is vivid in their lives its contagious. The Lord has been so sweet in allowing me to watch them love on others and genuinely seek after the lost. I would give anything to go back to Brazil and see all the people I met this past summer. It still seems like yesterday we were making our way to campus for the first time. 

I remember being worried about how I was going to communicate with the Brazilians and how it was going to be making friends. But the students at UFMG were very inviting and were eager to meet us. All the things I was worried about ended up not being a huge deal. A lot of the credit goes to the staff for making our transition so smooth. Settling into the culture was difficult at times but I love everything about the Brazilians ways.

Please message me if you are interested in knowing more about the support raising process for the Brazilians!

[kailahcoates]

The Beginning of Junior Year!

It has now been almost 2 months since I left Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Lord was so sweet in allowing me to be apart of such a great team this summer. I couldn't imagine a better team to serve along side. As i think and reminisce about my experience in Belo, I can't help but over flow with joy. I saw the Lord work in so many lives. Especially my own. The Lord revealed sin in my life that I had never addressed before, and He allowed me to see His power in a way I had never experienced before. I learned that He does not need me, but that He chose me and desires for me to live my life for His glory. My heart longs to be back in Brazil, but I know there is work to be done in Troy, Alabama where I am currently at right now as a student. I have come back this semester being excited about what the Lord has in store for me  and the community I am a part of, as well as the city of Troy. There are so many opportunities to share the Love of Christ every where you go. I do not have to be in a foreign country to share Jesus with the people I come in contact with.

Please continue to pray for the students in Brazil. Pray that they would continue to investigate Jesus and that their hearts would be open to Him. 

[kailahcoates]

Missing all these awesome girls already! Thank you all for taking us in and loving on us these past 6 weeks! I love each of you so much!!! @biasmagalhaes @raquelnunes_ @staycemoreira @marcellinhaguedes

[kailahcoates]

Love these ladies!!! I am so glad I had the opportunity to get to know these awesome girls these past few weeks!!!!

[kailahcoates]

The view from the top of the Mountain! WOW!!! It was worth it!!!

[kailahcoates]

Week 4!

I first want to start off by apologizing for my lack of updating. I have been extremely busy and have not been able to blog like I intended. However, my time spent here in Brazil has been amazing. I am learning so much about God's heart for the nations as well as my own. The Lord is revealing a lot to me about my own walk with Christ through this ministry. Since the last time I blogged a lot has happened. Interacting with the students on campus has been going very well. Our relationships are building and trust is growing between us and the Brazilians. I specifically am focusing on the freshman at UFMG (the university we are ministering too). My team of 11 is broken up into 2 focus groups. One focusing on 2nd-8th semester students and just 1 semester students or freshmen. The biggest challenge with the freshmen is getting them to be serious about the hard questions of Christ and investigating Jesus. These freshmen are interested in getting to know us, they love hanging out with us when we do fun things, but when it comes down to serious talk about Jesus most are not interested. A few are slowly becoming open to the idea, but many don't really care anything about Jesus. Please pray that in these last 2 weeks the Lord softens their hearts to the being open to the life of Jesus.

Something that has brought me great comfort in my time here in Brazil is looking at the idea of "leading people to Jesus" in a different way. All my life, in my mind, leading someone to Christ meant sharing a presentation with them of the gospel that would lead to a yes or no commitment to Christ. Because of ministry here in Brazil, I have realized that "leading someone to Christ" actually means pointing and directing them to Christ. Whether that is loving them, speaking truth to them, or serving them. Everything I do should lead people to Christ. I have found so much freedom in this, and I know that the Lord is going to use what ever He needs for His name to be glorified.

This past weekend we had our weekend retreat where we took students away from the hustle and bustle of school and really dug deep in what it means to know Jesus. Like I mentioned in my previous blog the theme of the summer is "Why does God allow suffering". At the retreat we continued these discussions and were able to really wrestle with this topic. It is amazing how the Lord has allowed me to become so close with some of the girls and how open they are to talk about their background, where they come from, what they believe and why they believe it. This weekend has changed the course for the rest of the summer, and I am excited to see what happens from here. We are starting a 6 week Bible study with the students that are committing to investigate the life of Jesus. When we leave the staff here will continue these studies. This is a huge step and I am rejoicing in the Lord for bringing these students to this point. I believe this is a miracle in itself, and we are seeing a glimpse of fruit in our laboring.

Thank you all for keeping up with me! And I can't wait to share more!

Kailah 

[kailahcoates]

First week 1/2 in Brazil!

Being in Brazil has been an amazing experience this far! The Lord is doing a great work here in Belo Horizonte. On a daily basis we travel to the University called UFMG where we engage the Brazilian students. Our goal for the first 2 weeks is to meet and befriend as many student as we can. Brazilians are very loving and inviting. It has been easy engaging in conversations because many students speak some English! Some however do not speak any. Often the students that know English or the staff that are with us help translate! After classes each day a lot of our time is spent playing soccer, basketball, or Brazilian games! We have dinner at our house a few times a week. We invite the Brazilians over for dinner and then normally watch soccer or they teach us how to dance. Each Saturday we have a discussion night. This is an opportunity for us to engage in spiritual conversations with the students. The theme and question of the summer is "why does God allow suffering" at these discussion groups (about 5 groups with 10-15 people in each group. Brazilians and the Americans) ideas and beliefs are exchanged. We had our first discussion group this past Saturday! About 50 people came. It was such an encouragement to have that many come on the first night! The discussion group I was in went well, however many Brazilians are closed off to the idea of Jesus. The culture here is very different then America and God is normally not associated with Jesus. The walls and barriers are slowing coming down. Please continue to pray for the students and also my team and I. We are constantly on the go and talking with students. Spiritual conversations are a challenge, but The Lord is faithful and has allowed us to experience His work in ways we didn't think would happen! Thank you for your prayers and support! I will update again next week! Much love from Brazil!!!

[kailahcoates]

Martin Luther Quote: a good way to look at how to study God's word.

[kailahcoates]

My view this morning as we approached Brasilia, Brazil! #nofilter #brazil #flying #theLordissogood