I didn't realize just how much time had gone by since my last post! Things have definitely picked up and we're in more of a routine, which is nice, but also makes the week fly by! Since my last post we have had 6 more classes with about 5-7 kids each day. We started our home visits and have been able to visit several families, giving them their child's work.
Some insight into the last month:
Our little darlings!
Nicaraguan Festivities:
Running of the Bulls Hipica
San Juan del Sur for my birthday!
Yolanda's Folklore dance at school
With that you have a better idea of what the last month looked like, but here's some insight of what it has felt like…
Challenging. Exciting. Hot. Rewarding. Frustrating. New. (In a nutshell)
I've mentioned before some of the things God has been teaching me, but recently a prayer has been for contentment. Things are different, people are different, life is different, but God is constant. And He has me here for a purpose that He has perfectly constructed for my benefit. While He has me here for "ministry", the majority of that ministry is on my own heart.
I'm also such a busy person that if my schedule isn't full, if I don't have a to-do list, if I'm not checking things off that list, something doesn't feel right. Now that I'm living here I see the stark contrast between my task-oriented nature and the easy-going, relational nature of the people around me. I've always made excuses for my tasks, that I need to get it done for the benefit of whatever I'm working on, but, really, I'm just filling my time because it's slightly uncomfortable for me to seek someone out and spend time with them, for fear of not knowing what to say or how to say it!
I've been praying, too, for my spirit to be transformed into the likeness of Christ – gentle, loving and kind, patient, humble – and, oh, how He has given me opportunities to refine those qualities! God doesn't just hear our prayers and grant our wishes like a magical genie, He gives us opportunities throughout our day to practice living them out. My opportunity has shown itself in this program. Planning and teaching with Heather has revealed areas of my heart that, frankly, just aren't very pretty… I'm learning through that, however, more of what Christ would look like and figuring out how to look more like that than myself. Praise God we are made new in Him!
"And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
These are things I want God to rid me of. I pray daily for the eyes and heart of Christ because my own will only fail me. I pray daily to be present in the place God has put me. I pray daily that my spirit will shine more like Christ than myself. I pray that I will put down the To-Do list and make more time for the people around me.
With that, my prayer for the week:
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118: 24)
How am I rejoicing in this day and making the most of it for our Heavenly Father? How are you rejoicing in this day and making the most of it?
Until next time…
Much love!
love the title for your blog…and it is true. God is making you new. i see it.
I love your updates. Sometimes I just want to pass by another email because I think I am too busy to take the time… How sad-becuase it is always a blessing when I stop what I am doing to hear about the way the lord is using you. I love your pictures of those precious children! It encourages me to pray for the Lord to change my heart daily and remind myself the day is not about “me” and my to do list. It is always about Christ-what can I do for someone besides myself and myown. Thank you for what you are doing-It is an ispiration. Keep fighting the good flight. Love Debbie