I have been here for 1 month now! This time last year I was closing in on the end of my trip. This time, I've hardly begun. It's been a slow start, but I've been told to allow myself to flounder and figure out what life is supposed to be like here for me. Upon reflecting on the last month so much has happened. My last post K-Life had just left and I was dealing with saying good-bye to some dear friends. Josh and Rachel have now left and I'm officially here starting my ministry for the next 2 years.
While the last month has been good, it has had it's fair share of challenges. I've had up days and I've had down days. In my down days I battle doubt – doubt that I lack the necessary skills for ministry at El Puente, doubt that my personality fits the mold for being effective, doubt that I can communicate to those around me, doubt that I can even learn Spanish. As I wrestle with those thoughts, I recognize with my heart that they are lies from Satan, but my flesh fights back with uncertainty. One night, when I wasn't sure I could do it, I prayed for Truth. Truth that would defeat the lies I was being told and Truth that would direct my thoughts back up to Him. This is where He led me:
- "Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul." ~ Psalm 143:8
- "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than yours." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9
- "For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and do work for his good pleasure." ~ Philippians 2:13
- "I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9
??I still have down days where I'm fighting for confidence, trust, and patience, but I feel God working tremendously through all of that too. He has revealed areas of my heart that I don't think I would have seen so clearly had I not been taken so far out of my comfort zone. My prayer is that the things I am to learn here will be things I can take worldwide. Things about my character that I can use anywhere I choose to live because they are of my heart matter and changing for the glory of the Lord.
With all of that, the plans for the pre-school classes are underway! Heather and I have met to map out a few next steps. We got the go ahead from Charles (the pastor of El Puente and overseer of the Granada Christian Education Center) to move forward with our ideas. We have a meeting with the "expert on starting a school in Nicaragua" this week and a tentative start date!
Tuesday, August 6!!
Please keep that day in your prayers, as there is a lot that needs to be put in place prior to then. Also, that Heather and I will learn along the way how to make this happen. If I look too far ahead I get overwhelmed because I realize I don't really know what I'm doing! I'm confident, though, that if it is to start then God will make it come to pass.
Other fun additions to my time here: Every Wednesday and Friday, starting next week, I will be taking Spanish classes to brush up on my Spanish and get some practice in. Every Wednesday Heather and I will be teaching English to one of the translator's (Jesse) family in return for cooking lessons and more Spanish practice. Word on the street his wife is a phenomenal cook so I'm pretty excited about that! Also, every Friday Heather and I will be teaching an English class to the kids during bible study. I still have a lot to learn on teaching here and a long way to go with my confidence in speaking Spanish, making the time I teach a bit of a struggle, so I'd love prayers for that as well.
Until next time…
Much love!
