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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 1/6/2009
Some days I feel like I would give absolutely anything to have one more day on the World Race with my team. Some mornings I wake up and before I open my eyes, I desperately hope that I will wake up in a tree house in Thailand...in a hostel in China...in a guest house in the Philippeans....
When I travel on an airplane...I miss having 25 friends to travel with. When I go to sleep, I miss having five of my best friends to pray with.
Today is one of those days...
Last night I had a dream. I didn't remember it until half way through the day, but as I remembered it fully I started to cry. I had a dream that everyday I had to walk through a haunted house to get to my normal life. It was dark, there were evil people coming after me...and when I got through it I reached a sunny day with no pain. Every night I would have to exit through the haunted house. Everyday I would dread going though the house, but Sarah Burrows was always there, to take my arm and walk me through. And every night she was there to meet me to walk me through the house again. Everyday I was less and less afraid because I knew she would be there to walk me through.
That's the friendship God has given us. And that's the way it continues...
Thank you, Sarah...I love you.
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 12/15/2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
It's 1 am and I'm still shaking. I think I'm still in shock. Today was the best day of my entire life. The man of my dreams asked me to marry him! I never could have dreamt up a more amazing man to be in my life. I never could have dreamt up a better story for God to write us. I never could have dreamt up a better way for him to ask me to be his wife. I never could have dreamt up a more beautiful ring.
This morning I slept in, watched Saved By the Bell with Christie and Jackie and enjoyed my morning. I had a good devotional and felt like the Lord was really working in my heart. Then, I called my friend Sheena (who had called me the night before, and decided to go with her to Laguna beach. It was her idea, and my favorite beach...and it worked out perfectly. I invited Christie and we went to Chino to meet up with Sheena. We stopped at Golden Spoon and had some amazing frozen yogert. Sheena had previously thought it would be fun to try Geo Chaching (basically a scavenger hunt hobby where you try to find a treasure by using the coordinates). The World Racer in me thought it was a fun/adventurous idea and we had discussed wanting to try it before...so we went for it! We followed the directions to the coordinates...we stopped at a weirdly expensive toll booth and as Sheena handed to toll man the dollar bills, the bills went flying in the wind and Christie and Sheena got out of the car and chased them down. We were cracking up, but the toll man was not amused. The combination of our histarical laughter and his stone cold face made us laugh harder! We continued on.
 We parked at Laguna beach and did the rest on foot. We followed the directions and had to trespass through a construction zone, hop fences, and climb down to the beach...
We were looking for a cove. We walked across the sand onto the rocks. I looked at the sky and yelled "MOM!!" There were these beautiful rays coming out of the clouds (which is always a sign to me that my mom is with me)...usually it's one ray, but this was like 500. Sheena took a picture of me hugging my mom... :)
Then, we went around the corner, and then another corner looking for the cove. All of the sudden we saw a blanket with all kinds of things on it...a laptop playing music, chocolate, Swedish fish scattered everywhere, hot chocolate, a journal....at first I said "lets walk around" thinking we should give people their privacy. Then I realized there was no one there, and I said "who would leave their lap top out here?" As we walked closer...I realized, it was Danny's pillow. Danny's journal. All my favorite things. I started shaking. "Where's Danny?! " I yelled, so excited to see him!
Sheena told me to sit down and read his journal...I was shaking and so excited to see Danny...the wind was blowing all the pages so I didn't know which one to read...I said, "should I really read his journal...last time I did that I had to confess to him that I read a page!" Sheena laughed and said "he left it there for you to read." I looked across the beach and I saw Danny walking out on a big rock ledge...smiling. He looked so handsome. So calm. I was so excited to see him. He walked closer to me, gave me a hug, and told me to read the journal entry from a year ago today. So I did. I was so nervous/excited that it took me a while to read the whole page...it was all about how much he loved me, and how he knew he was going to marry me one day.
I turned around to look at him and he was down on one knee smiling, holding out a gorgeous ring. I smiled at him in shock...and he said "Will you marry me?" And I said, "of course I will!" Then came the tears!
He sat me down, took off my shoes and socks, and washed my feet. As he washed my feet he told me how much he loves me. That he would die for me. That he is commited to me and would do anything for me. He said he loves who I am, the way I look at him, the way I love him, the way I love God, and the way I love others....(he said other things but I was too in shock to remember them all!). As he was saying all this...our song with very much significance was playing
("Nothing Else I need" by Jeremy Camp).
He put my socks and shoes back on, we hugged and talked. Sheena took our picture around the beach. We went back to the blanket and he made hot chocolate. We headed back up and Sheena gave me a dress, shoes and coat to wear...because of more surprises.
As we walked to what I thought was going to be Danny's car...we ended up at a Vespa (moto) he rented (to recreate an afternoon in the Philippines)! He took me to a coffee shop. We sat and enjoyed ourselves and called our parents. Then, we headed to Target to get some gloves (the moto ride was chilly)...and what's a night without Target J! Then we headed to Villa Nova...the best Italian restaurant in Orange County. It overlooked a lake and Balboa Island. It was beautiful...live music, Christmas lights, amazing food. We had a wonderful meal, prayed together, cried together, danced a little. It was amazing. After dinner we took a chilly moto ride back to the rental place. And he drove me home. And here I am in my PJ's, still shaking with excitement and staring at my beautiful ring. I love him..I am so excited to be his wife.
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 9/15/2008
It's been a while since I've written....
because it's hard to know what to say
While traveling the world, my world was rocked.... 
While loving others, my heart was healed a little more each day God gave me a family...five people to share life with
More of Him and less of ourselves was our prayer....
In the midst of this somewhere...
I lost myself and gained so much more
Redemption.
God searched my heart
Continually brought things to surface  Painful process...
...but then there was freedom.
He took me to places, I never thought I would go,
physically and spiritually.
Words can't do justice the places I've been...
My tears don't even begin to show the overwhelming grace I've breathed in.
I lay in bed at night and close my eyes...
From country to country, these faces I see...
...they still break me.
Transfer it Lord...to my daily life here.
Don't let it die, this fire in me.
I feel it flare up, and then die down...
stir it up Lord...I still want more.
No matter where I am,
No matter what I do.
I just want more...
so much more of You.
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 7/9/2008
I can't believe this amazing year is coming to an end. We are in our final destination, ministering in a small community in Hondouras called Los Pinos. We have been here for one week and we are working with a missionary, Tony Deine, a friend of Danny's from Salt Lake City, Utah. Tony has lived here over a year, working with a church called Iglesia Tranformacion. He has an amazing gift with children, and focuses much of his time reaching out to this community in any way possible; from feeding programs, to helping in the schools, taking kids on fun day trips, to teaching English classes....any possible way he can meet physical needs, while sharing the love of Christ and meeting spiritual needs.
During our time here, we have been helping with the feeding program, spending time with families in the community, working on a shelving/organizing project for the church's donation center, and having fun together and enjoying our final weeks together as a team. We are thankful to be here, thankful to be together for one final stretch of time, and we are praying that the Lord will give us the strength and the joy to finish strong. I love my team, I have loved this year, and I can't begin to express how thankful I am for how the Lord has been working in my life, and in the lives of those around me. As the end of this stage of my life is drawing near, God is drawing me close to Himself and reminding me that just as he has faithfully guided me every step thus far, He will guide me through the next...
...more blogs to come...
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 7/9/2008
People often say you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their refrigerator....
In the case of Dick Rutgers, his refrigerator speaks volumes....but it is only a glimpse...
My time in Antigua, Guatamala was incredible...and although I have been gone for over a week....I am still learning and in awe of the amazing experience I had there. I can honestly say that the main reason the few weeks I spent there changed my life was because of the way God works through a man named Dick Rutgers.
Dick is a single, middle-aged, American man who has a huge heart and a strong desire to change lives. His desire is so strong that he moved from his comfortable home in America five years ago to live in Guatamala and minister to disabled people of all ages, and the children of a poor neighborhood he resides in. He is a father to the fatherless, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to feed those who cannot feed themselves; he loves the forgotten, educates the uneducated, and prays for the wounded. He has changed hundreds of lives, he provides medical attention to people who cannot afford it, he saves dying children from slums, he shelters those who are wandering....the list goes on. As we were able to spend time with him and get a glimpse into his life...there were times I sat back and watched this humble man and had tears streaming down my face. I believe my view of God's character has expanded because of knowing this man...and I am forever thankful for the time I was able to see how much one person can impact the World.
Dick loves his life. After a few days of seeing how much each day of his entails, I asked him if he ever wished he had more "time to himself"...he told me, "when God calls you to something, He never makes you  miserable, He just changes your perspective." This statement is so evident in his life. His joy and love for each day was incredible to see, and it is clear that everything he does is for the Glory of God and an outpouring of his love for Him and God's children.
His refrigerator tells a story...covered with Father's Day cards, report cards, pictures of him and his children of Guatamala....elementary drawings of him with children all around him....a glimpse into the life of a humble, middle-aged man, who is in love with Jesus and in love with seeing God's children experience the same love.
"He is not a fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." ~Jim Elliot
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 6/24/2008
My mom used to tell me that when I was little I used to sit at the kitchen table, color in my coloring book, and make up songs about how much I love Jesus....and I would just sing to Jesus and be in my own little world. When she told me this in high school...I remember feeling so sad, wondering where this little girl's faith went.
There have been times in my life I have questioned God's existence. There have times I wished he was true, but felt like I couldn't believe. I couldn't believe because of the pain, I couldn't believe because of the unfairness...the people in my life that truly loved Him, I believed He treated unfairly. I was stuck. Deep down, I yearned for there to be a true God. But, I fought it.
I fought it because I was scared of what it would require. What if it's true? That would be a hard pill to swallow and a life change I was not ready for. But why was it so scary?
I grew up desiring the sincerity and love for God my Mother and Grandmother had....but I always felt like it missed me...that I would never fully understand that kind of faith. I gave up. I went my own way...hoping to find my joy in friends, partying, popularity...it wasn't there. I tried making myself read the Bible, forcing myself to be a “good” person, and then failing over and over again. It wasn't there. All of this actually pushed me more in the opposite direction.
Whether you turn from the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
I was in high school, in the midst of pain from divorce and the death of my mother....giving up on the belief in God....and there He was. It was then, that I realized He was there all along.
It was the love of His children that first drew me in. My sophomore year of high school I moved to Arizona and met Kyle, one of my first friends at my new school who was different than any friends I have ever had. He and his friends loved each other, loved people, and loved God. They weren't annoying about it, they didn't shove it down my throat, and I was actually drawn to whatever it was that was different about them. I went to youth group with them one night, and it was there that I first saw God inside of people. As I watched over 200 high schoolers singing to God, it was then that I first truly believed He was there and that He loved the voices of His children.
It brought me to tears. And the fact that I was crying made me cry more. For so long, I was stone cold to God....but in that moment, I knew He was real; I knew that night was the beginning of something much bigger.
Some people in my life didn't understand what had taken place in my heart, and I had a difficult time trying to explain it....but deep down I knew it was real, and I knew it was never going to leave. They thought it would wear away....fade...they told me I was too extreme. God told me to just keep walking with Him...He promised He would show me the way.
And He has...He is...and He always will.
I met a backpacker from Holland in a little coffee shop in Antigua. As she told me about her life, I started to see how much she was fighting God's existence in her life. She told me stories of times where she wanted to believe, but just couldn't. As she shared, I silently prayed that one day...the fight would be over. I prayed for surrender to His voice....and that she would walk in the way He desires to take her.
The love of the Father never runs out. He loves His children and simply wants us to love him back. A relationship with Jesus is not for certain people. It's not just for people raised in church...it's not just for people who seem like they have their lives together....it's not just for clean cut people who never break the rules.....a relationship with Jesus is for God's children.
Lord, I pray that we would all long to hear Your voice, and walk with you through life. I pray for each person reading this, that you would remind them today how much you love them and how much you simply desire them to love you back. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity, as Your children, to have a relationship with You.
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 6/24/2008
Welcome to the Antigua Guatemala Installment of the Colleen and Sarah Photo extravaGANZAS!
This month we left the the guys behind for some ¨manistry time.¨ We have no idea what has happened after the taking of this photo and we may be better off that way...
The 4 Team LESS girls, Traci and Krystle from Ignite and 5/6 of the Beloved Ones headed to Antigua
After 10 months of traveling we found that many of us fit right in with the backpackers... and others found their flair for Guatemalan Culture... well maybe just one in particular.
Antigua is a BEAUTIFUL city with many historical sights, cobblestone roads, old cathedrals... and adorable elderly people.
Here are several photos from around town:
One morning a group of us headed up to Pacaya, an active volcano only 2 hours from our little city!
Jackie, Sarah and Lindsey in front of the Volcano... and the whole group of World Race hikers.
Parts of the rock were hot enough to do this to marshmallows... and to the soles of shoes if you don´t step carefully!
There were a few close calls... but we all made it back safely.
We spent time in a hospital for mentally disabled children and adults. We made lots of great friends with the amazing women and children who live there.
Colleen and Gloria... who loved her makeup and always had lots of jewelry on display
Krystle and Lupe with her award winning smile
Kari and Gloria hugging over our lunch outting to a local chicken restaurant
Jackie and Rufina became instant friends
The whole group on our way back from lunch
Every day it was amazing to see local people and missionaries spreading love around the hospital
This is Dick playing with Byron in the park. There is not nearly enough space here to explain how much we love him and how wonderful he is... consider this a sneak peak into future blogs.
a great candid shot of Lindsey loving life in Antigua
Lest you should think we forgot... here are some of the ¨unique¨ sights from our time in Antigua
When our friend refused a photo with Colleen for the third or fourth time... she decided to take matters into her own hands... and chase him through the streets
One day there was a party slash competition at the hospital. From what we can gather... people were divided into colored teams with mascots... and then completed tasks all over the hospital. Here you will see Team Bear crossing the pool and Team Construction Paper Donkey running off to their next event.
What competition would be complete without a rainy character dance-off in the courtyard...
At first glance... Sarah thought she was looking back in time when a bumble bee came running by.... but in fact, they actually made more than one bumble bee costume for children... to be worn by adults.
Finally, there was a concert at the hospital one afternoon... and much to our surprise and enjoyment we found out that Willy Nelson doubles as a xylophone enthusiast in Antigua.
Well, that´s all for now... see you at the next... extravaGANZA!!
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 6/18/2008
Lord,I thank you for this day. I thank you for our time at the hospital. I felt emotionally drained today...Lord, I pray that you would strengthen me. Give me strength tomorrow. My heart broke today. I cannot believe people live like this. They are so starved of affection and love. It is so hard to see girls my age living like vegetables. Lord....why? Why do they have to live like this? As I walk through the hospital halls...all I hear is your still-small voice asking, "Do you trust Me?" It´s a hard question to swallow. Lord, for years I have prayed for my heart to break for the things that break Your heart....and here I am, face-to-face with it...and I am tempted to despair and doubt Your goodness. I repent of this Lord...and I answer "yes" to Your question. I trust You. You are good and I love You. You love these people...they are Your children and You have not forgotten them. They are beautiful. You are with them. Your presence is in this hospital. Thank You Lord...I love you....
This is an exerpt from my journal last night...I am currently in Antigua, Guatamala for 12 days. A group of seven girls are staying here and volunteering at a Catholic Hospital for disabled people of all ages. There are over 200 residents of this hospital, and their disabilites range from being bed-ridden, mal-nourished, mentally ill, mentally disabled....the list goes on. In Guatamalan society, it is majorly looked down upon to have a child who is mentally or physically handicap. Many parents abandon their handicap children, or fail to take care of them and let them die. This hospital takes in the children (and adults) and takes care of them. There are so many residents and not enough care-takers, so many of them are in bed all day, without people interacting with them...let alone loving on them and being their friend. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here, to spend time with these amazing people, and we pray that through this, they will experience the love of Christ.
 Although we are only here for a short time, and this is only my second day in the hospital...I can already see how it is changing me. I am spending time with a percentage of the population who are forgotten. The more parts of the world God shows me, the more I am realizing how much denial I have been living in. It´s so easy to turn away and not acknowledge the parts of the world that hurt to see, the people who make me uncomfortable, the areas I don´t want to believe really exist. And here I am, in the middle of it, and I am faced with a choice. When I walk into this hospital, I can either shut off my emotions and be numb, or open up my heart and experience where the Lord has brought me. It´s so tempting to shut down when I am afraid of pain...a pattern I have noticed throughout my life. But as I look into the eyes of these girls, I can´t shut down. God is breaking my heart for these people, and it is the answer to prayers I have prayed for years. When I trust Him, and open up my heart...it is there that I find true joy and faith.
Lord, bless this hospital and shower the people inside with Your love and grace.
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 6/16/2008
Our time in Panamá was filled with many interesting experiences. When we looked at our pictures we discovered that there were lots of very unique sights and experiences that we want to share with you here.
... so welcome to the Things I Never Thought I´d See Colleen and Sarah Photo extravaGANZA!!
At the Prayer Day we found out that they needed balloon animals made... over 100 balloon animals.
As we have no formal clown training and are somewhat timid around balloons and clowns, we were amazed to find that we actually have the balloon animal annointing (right Gary B?).
Many many many balloon dogs later... all of the children were happy customers.
In other unused skill sets... Sarah was signed up for ¨modeling class¨ at the Campamiento... and was quickly awarded a tiara.
Take your Daughter to Work Day- the daughter of our cab driver crusing around with him watching videos on a Saturday
Sorry AIM... we tried to stop him. But Danny became a RACATACA (local lingo for a Panamanian woman who gets in many fights)
Gary L. requesting a hug photo
Our grown men entranced (understatement) by the magic shop in the mall
First, we found a spot where we could leave our bags while we finished our shopping. Then, came the surprise... instead of a ticket.... or a tag... we recieved a numbered shopping basket to reclaim our packages when we returned.
At 3am one night of traveling... our bus was stopped at a drug check point. First, drug officers boarded the bus yelling a very latino name. Next, we had to exit the bus with all of gear. Then, they let loose the drug dogs... not german shepards... the ever feared COCKER SPANIEL!! The fearsome beast was relentless... he didn´t even pause at the muffins sitting on Sarah´s pillow... as Danny said ¨Scruff McGee! Take a bite out of crime!¨
... that´s all for now... see you at our next photo extravaGANZA!!!
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Posted in General Articles by Colleen Foley on 6/16/2008
Our team recently spent 2 amazing weeks in Panama. We hope these pictures will give you some insight into our experiences.
... so welcome to the latest Colleen and Sarah photo extravaGANZA!
Danny and Lindsey preparing to overwhelm the taxi drivers with 6 people, 6 packs, 6 backpacks, a guitar and few purses...
Hydration is very important when you are visiting the Panamà Canal
Jackie, aka J Money, doing her thing wherever and whenever she can
Our first weekend we got to go to Campamiento, an annual youth retreat for the high school...
One of these things is not like the others... (Note the miracle taking place: you are witnessing over 100 teenagers on the beach by 6am for morning devotions and very energetic games)
Kari and the Staff splashing around
Sunrise
Several days during our week we got to go to the Comador (a feeding center). It was run by an adorable Grandpa-man named Bernardo. We helped paint chairs, make a table, pour cement and serve food to all his little friends.
Colleen documents the morning zone out trend from our team waiting for the bus.... versus Sarah.
Kyle helping Bernardo put together a table
Just a Grandpa doing what he loves to do.
Carlos
Saving some for later?
Three cheers for food... (and Americans with cameras!)
Here are a few pictures from our time at the school. We got to follow teachers around and teach English.
Teacher Colleen and one of her amazing students
On Saturday we got to attend the International Day of Prayer! It was a big festival at the school... complete with a performance by the students of cultural dancing. No captions for these ones... just some beautiful photos.
These are a few pictures of our host family:
Matteo really is this cool
Pedrito, Pedro and Maria at dinner on of our last nights
Adios friends!
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