A NEW Ministry in Longview/Kelso

The Vine is a new ministry for college students and young adults right here in our own Cowlitz County. I am excited to watch the Lord unite this generation, build them up in Him and send them out to spread His message. We are trusting Him to work in and through them, changing lives as He calls His children to Himself.

The verse that inspired this ministry is out of John 15:5. It is so important that we abide in Him, because when we do He will produce much fruit within our lives and in the lives of others. We must also be very aware that apart from Him we can do nothing!

So as details of The Vine are coming together and we are in constant prayer of what all the Lord has in mind, I would ask you to consider what type of role you would like to play. Will you be a prayer warrior for this ministry and the generation that it touches? Do you want to become a financial partner with "The Vine"? Are you in a place where you could help serve this ministry and the students in other ways?

I would invite any ideas and/or contacts of people that you know who are between the ages of 18-25. I will post more information as it becomes available. May God truly bless you as you abide in Him.

Benefit Dinner!

Come and enjoy…
A Summer’s Night in Paradise

A benefit dinner complete with a catered
buffet and live music!!! This event is
taking place to help Amber Coons raise
money to be in full-time ministry this year
with Campus Crusade for Christ.

When: Sunday, August 26th at 6:15pm
Where: 1323 Commerce Ave. in Longview
Cost: $22.50 per person (please RSVP and purchase
tickets before if possible, we are hoping to get
an accurate count for food and expenses.
however, NO ONE will be turned away at the
door… so buy your friends tickets too!)

Need tickets? Please visit 1323 Commerce Ave,

Monday-Saturday from 11am-3pm

Want more information? Please email
Amber at ms_ivy21@hotmail.com

Worshipping with the Nations

I returned from Busan, Korea about a week ago. There were 24 of us who went from Venezuela to CM2007. It was exciting to meet with the Lord, watch our key students from Venezuela impacted by a vision and calling to reach the lost, and (my favorite) to worship with the Nations.

For 10 days, students from around the world were trained on ways of effectively sharing their faith and then challenged to go out and reach their campuses for Christ. It was so encouraging to see the way that the Holy Spirit moved throughout the week. I was, and am, in awe of God. There is such an overwhelming bigness about Him and yet He is so personal and into every detail of my life.

Please join me in praying that as the students are now back in their respective countries, they will go out and share about Christ with boldness and clarity. May the Lord become famous throughout EVERY nation!

“The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

Home... with Culture Shock

In my opinion, these two don’t belong together. Home is a place that is comfortable and routine; where as culture shock is experiencing something completely new and foreign.





I left Venezuela for a short while to come home and rest, as well as raise my support for the next year of ministry. I’ve been back in the States for about 4 days and here are just a few things that I find myself surprised by…

- toilet paper in public restrooms (along with soap and paper towels)
- driving my car and wondering how I ever survived without this freedom and luxury
- an entire isle of toothpaste and deodorant options (often times we didn’t even have bread and/or milk in our grocery stores)
- paying over $5 for a coffee, when I’m used to paying maybe 50 cents (I must add that the price also speaks for the quality of taste)
- kissing cheeks as I greet people (them questioning my intentions…)
- putting toilet paper down the toilet, instead of in the garbage next to the toilet
- enjoying foods that aren’t breaded and fried (praise the LORD for healthier options)
- seeing many dogs... but here each one has an owner
- understanding every conversation going on around me (and being distracted by it)
- not being gawked and stared at all day because of how much I stand out
- seeing that gas costs $3.49 per gallon versus 7 cents

I feel like I could go on and on about the differences between my home in Washington State and my home in Merida, Venezuela. My heart will forever be split between the two. Why? Because of the people that I love in each country.
The Lord has truly blessed me in both places and He will continue to show His faithfulness as I walk through this unfamiliar season of transition. He is the pillar that I lean on, the strength that I seek, and my reason to sing.

Team Time

As I have begun to realize that my time left on STInt this year is coming to an end… it causes me to reflect on those who have made this year so memorable. My team has been there for me through everything from my numerous faintings to a laugh that can be heard throughout the entire city of Merida. They make me smile by the hour and take an interest in my tears. Each one of them has changed me as a person and challenged me to pursue the Lord and His will. I am blessed that God chose me to serve with them this year in Venezuela. We do everything together: work, live, play, travel, work some more, get each other hooked on TV series and books, cook, clean, shop, laugh, cry, and MORE. These four people are more than my team; they are like family and some of my closest friends…

So if you haven’t met them and maybe won’t ever get the privilege, allow me to introduce you to them (in alphabetical order) as well as tell you a great quality about them…

Bryon – my “boss” and a person who loves to learn; whether it is several languages or the true meaning of being a man after God’s own heart. Who knows where the Lord will take Him in the future… somewhere across the world or maybe all over the world. He has such an adventurous perspective on life. (Bryon, wherever you go just remember that this sorority girl is wishing that she still had you as a workout buddy.)

Claudia – my “G” and a woman who makes me feel incredibly special. She is such a selfless person who is a blast to hang out with. I can laugh with her about absolutely nothing at all. She is more than patient with my lack of Spanish skills and always willing to teach me how to cook a new Venezuelan dish. (Claudia, we really are twins. Who knew that I had to come to Venezuela to find my other half?! I can’t wait to spend all next year with you!)

Emily – Miss Witty. She’s not only funny; she’s wise. Her knowledge of the Bible is amazing. She is always willing to share, from a word of encouragement to a cup of coffee. I haven’t stopped laughing since Day Spa met Cowgirl! (Emily, thank you for seeking after the Lord with all your heart. It has been a great year and I’m excited to see how the Lord will continue to use you.)

Sam – mi sobrino (nephew) and a man who loves well. He has a memory like nobody else I know. He remembers everything, but what impresses me is how well he listens to every word that I have ever said and remembers it word for word. He has such a teachable heart. (Sam, you are such a blessing. I still can’t believe that you remember all the rules from day one. Keep impersonating the “keepers” in this world.)

I love you all and can't imagine Venezuela without all of you next year. Thank you for loving well and investing in me this past year. We still have 5 weeks together, so let's continue to live, laugh, and love life together!

Sharing…

To my family and friends: Most of you know that I have been dealing with various health issues off and on for the past 7 months since living in Venezuela. I finally went to the hospital in December to try and get some answers, but left empty handed. So I continued living and just adjusted to never feeling completely “up to par.” My health continued to be a problem and this past week, my team had had enough. On Sunday night when I couldn’t hide the intense pain, the authority in my life said, “You are going to the hospital. This is not okay.” So after putting it off all week, I finally went to the hospital this past Friday morning. I went in thinking that we would once again leave without any answers. However…



*Diphyllobothrium Latum*
Not such a friendly name... but at least I found the "prettiest" picture for your formal introduction to my "lessons". I mean seriously, it's PINK!


I would like to introduce you to... well I can’t say friends (because I am trying to kill them). I don’t want to put them up with my family, even though I have spent a significant amount of time with them these past 6 months. They could be referred to as part of my team, since we have been doing ministry together for so long; with no help from them. But instead, I will refer to them as “my lesson.” These little “lessons” are teaching me how to share. You see, I share everything with them. They are currently overtaking my system and yet they choose to thank me with pain. I share (they steal) my vitamins and nutrients, so that I get to experience clumps of hair falling out at various times. I mean, my “lessons” have literally been free-loading off me for more than half a year! (they are so ungrateful and have quite the nerve to treat me this way… who do they think they are?!)

I could go on and on, but instead I will close by saying thank you for your prayers about my health. Please continue to pray about my “lessons” and that they would quickly die. Also that I wouldn’t have side effects to the strong dosage of medication that I need to take, in order to rid my body of them. Most importantly, please pray that the Lord would continue to teach me and mold me into the woman that He created me to be. GRACIAS!

My TWIN!

Let me introduce you to my friend, roommate, co-worker, “G” and twin. Her name is Claudia Banquez. Now I know what you are thinking…




She is black, I am white.
She is tall, I am short.
She has dark eyes, mine are clear.
She is thin, I am thick.
She is from Venezuela, I am from The States.
She speaks Spanish, I speak English.
She is a busybody, I am more laid back.
She is practical, I am sentimental.
She likes cats, I love dogs.
She walks, I run.
Her love language is quality time, mine is words.

Sure, we have our differences. But she and I are like two peas in a pod. Sometimes we just look at each other and wonder if we were separated at birth. One day we were getting ready to go to campus and as we both exited our separate rooms, we just stopped and looked at each other. There we both were, standing in front of each other with the same exact two colors on (see picture).


Praise the Lord for my sister. She is my “G” and I am blessed to have her in my life. God willing, she and I will have another year together in ministry next year in Merida. Will you please join us in prayer as we ask the Lord to call people by name to serve with us here in this beautiful place that we are privileged to call home.