The summer at Casa Chirilagua has been slower than previous summers but I certainly wouldn’t say it has been “slow.” From a programmatic standpoint, students attended multiple camps, went on field trips,and were tutored by the Casa Chiri interns. From an organizational standpoint, we have been preparing for and moving through much change as an organization including the hiring of two new staff members and the launch of a new program (Middle School) this fall. In the midst of the bustle of the summer, Emily and I were granted by the Casa Chirilagua board a week of sabbatical time and we look forward to three more weeks of sabbatical time this fall once new staff are hired and school-time programs are up and running (for this sabbatical time, we are very thankful). In the midst of my sabbatical time, I felt a strong sense of the Lord calling me to deeper intimacy with Him. I believe that this level of intimacy will be a lifeline for wisdom and discernment as the organization continues to grow and shift.

As we head into this season of growth and change, I continue to sense that this season in particular for Casa Chirilagua will be marked as a season of prayer. An excerpt from 2 Chronicles 7 continually comes to mind, “If my people will humble themselves, seek my face and pray, then I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land.” In the midst of all of the growth and excitement surrounding Casa, we are being called to come to the end of ourselves, humble ourselves and realize that all of this has not come by human hands but by the hand and provision of the Lord. It is not our work but His work in which we get the privilege to participate. Since we cannot claim it as our own, we must look to Him for guidance in the decisions we make. If we are faithful to do this as a community, the promise in return is, “I will heal your land.”

As we enter into this season of prayer, we are looking for people to step up and be committed to prayer for Casa Chiri throughout the coming year. Our board member, Tim Kuhn, is leading the prayer efforts for this year. If you are interested in attending the monthly prayer meetings or committing to pray regularly for a specific staff member or program, please contact Tim (tim@casachirilagua.org) and he will get you connected into any organized prayer efforts.