It's Friday night and I'm getting ready to go to sleep in my own bed for the last time in 4 weeks. I leave for Nicaragua tomorrow. woohoo!!! I can't believe that the time is finally here. I can't wait to get there. I'll leave NWA at noon tomorrow and arrive in Managua a little after 8pm their time (7pm NWA time). By the time we get to the team house it will be about 11pm. It will be a long day, but I don't have to get up too early and I have enough of a layover in Houston to help with a late arrival and to allow for the International flight stuff and get a nice late lunch/early dinner before getting on the plane for Managua.
We had a team meeting last night with Mike and Sherry Husley (Directors of Voice of Hope Ministries), the 3 girls coming down for 2 weeks as interns and their parents. One of the girls, Kaylee, was on the March trip, so she knows what to expect on the flights and when they arrive at the airport in Managua. I'll be there to welcome them to Nic. I can't wait to see their beautiful faces!
We were all so excited talking about the ministry there and everything we will get to do with teams and also when it's just us. It's going to be a full and fun time of service. The parents decided that they want to go, too, since we were so excited. It's just a great ministry there and really humbling and a blessing to us to be able to be a part of it.
Deanna said my face was glowing when I got home from the meeting. I think the Holy Spirit was touching us all.
I finally got my 2 suitcases packed and my carryon bag and my personal item (large backpack) ready. It took a lot of squishing and swapping, but I finally got the items distributed appropriately. I'm taking enough clothes for about 2 weeks and I'll wash them while there. I've also got a suitcase mostly filled with giveaway stuff and some healthy snacks for me.
I'm taking my camera as well as my little video camera since I'm going to be there so long. I hope to record some good views of the ministry so that I can share with people back home. I'm not very good at it, but I will do my best to hold the camera steady!
I will not be able to email much, but Facebook seems to update well on my phone while in Nic. I won't be blogging until I get back. I'll journal with an old fashioned pen and paper, then spend hours typing it all onto my blog after I return. I'm looking forward to keeping a nice journal while there. So much happens every day, that it is sometimes hard to remember it all if you don't stop a few times during the day to jot stuff down.
I'm ready to battle those pesky mosquitoes. We have to use 100% deet, so I'm sure my nose will be numb from smelling it for 6 weeks. We have some other tricks up our sleeves, so we'll see what suggestions for mosquito repellant really work.
I was tired from all the last minute stuff today, and still had more to do, so I didn't want to cook anything for dinner. I decided to just open up a can of something in the pantry. I was half through my 'dinner' and was thinking that this is my last 'home cooked' dinner before eating beans and rice 3 times a day for 6 weeks, when I realized I was eating BEANS out of the can for dinner! How ironic! I ended up having to run back to Walmart for something, so I picked up a rotisserie chicken and also boiled some ears of corn, so I did get to have some variety tonight after all.
I can't wait to get down there and work with Miss Mary and the weekly teams. I'll be there almost a week when the 3 girls from here arrive. We'll work together for 2 weeks and then they will return home. After that, another team will come down for a week.
I ask that my friends cover us in prayer as we work with the Nica people. Pray for health and safety, strength and energy, boldness and readiness to share, openness to hear the Good News, and for God to be glorified no matter what comes our way.
I was blessed to have a chance to be prayed over twice by the family at Cuerpo Vivo church. I will miss them very much. I hope they will be able to tell a difference in my Spanish when I get back.
I was blessed to be treated to lunch on Wednesday by the McGimpseys. It was fun to catch up and the food was fantastic (Olive Garden). Thursday, my friend Elizabeth cooked lunch for me. She was rolling out the fresh tortillas when I walked in the door. Oh man, was that food good! We sat and chatted for an hour in Spanish. She is very encouraging with my Spanish practicing. I really enjoyed my time with her. She is a very special lady.
Well, time for me to sign off and head to bed. It will be a while before I blog again. If you're on Facebook, 'friend' me and follow the quick posts from Nic.
Thank you for your prayers. I can't wait to share with you all that God does and allows us to see over the next 6 weeks in Nic.
Dios te bendigas
Friday, July 9, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
What a relaxing day! I woke up when I felt like it, sat outside with Jet (the dog) in the beautiful morning air, sorted clothes to start packing for Nic, ran to the store for some groceries, visited with Miss Juanita a couple of times (fell asleep in her comfy sun room) and now back home for a quiet evening with Deanna.
Yesterday was nice at church. I love seeing my FBCR family in the halls between services. While worshipping with Cuerpo Vivo, I was reminded of how much I feel a part of that church family. I will miss them so much while I'm in Nic, but I know they will welcome me back with open arms and the customary kisses on the cheek. (I love that culture) They prayed over me and commissioned me as a missionary to Nic for these next 6 weeks. There are a couple of families from our congregation who are from Nic, and it's special to them to know that someone is going to be loving on the people of their country. I can't wait to get back to serve with Cuerpo Vivo.
Last night I stayed home with Jet, who is terrified of fireworks. I was finishing up a couple of summer dresses for Nic, and while in my chair with my hands busy with needle and thread, I was petting Jet with my foot. It was quite funny. Jet and I share an aversion to the loud noises of fireworks. Although, I've never went so far as to dig my way out of the yard like he did yesterday. It was so crazy to see that he expended that much energy, after all, he lays down to eat! I hope I was a comfort to him. He's such a good boy.
I'm sooooo looking forward to serving in Nic. Sometimes it feels a little strange to think I'll be gone for 6 weeks, but I know it will fly by while I'm there. A lot will have changed here when I get back on the 21st of August. FBCR will be meeting for worship in the new building on Bellview Rd. Cuerpo Vivo will be meeting in the sanctuary and nursery wing of the Olive St building. Kids will be back in school. It will be time to gear up for planning the fall missions opportunities. I feel like God is putting my life on fast-forward for 2 months.
I've noticed how God is preparing my mind and heart for these next weeks. I feel I'm getting in "Nic mode". Preparing for no-frills living, basic concerns, shutting out the prosperous world and focusing on ministering to the most needy people. The culture is lacking compared to US standards, but the relationships take on more importance. Miss Mary (who works with Voice of Hope in Nic) told me that she likes the changes that come over her when serving in Nic. It reminds me of the answer I finally came up with (after much prayer) when people asked what I would miss most about leaving NYC - I realized I would miss the "me" that God allowed my life to become while on the 'misson field'. I know I will feel that again when in Nic. It's basic, minus creature comforts, but full of pure love coming from God thru us to the people who live there. I can't wait.
This coming week will be chock-full of meetings and errands to tie up loose ends for the ministries here and with prep for the trip. I think I've got my clothes figured out, gifts for the Nic people ready to pack, and I think it will all fit in the suitcases! I still need to buy 2 months of my prescriptions, stock up on vitamins & supplements to make up for the limited diet, some special food items to try to be liver-healthy, a few toiletries and bug repellent, etc. I'm stretching my budget tight this month, but I know that God will provide. He always does.
There are a few flies in the house that seem to have taken on the mission of preparing me for bugs flying around my face in Nic. ha It reminds me of 10 years ago when I went to Honduras on a mission trip. I don't like bugs much and I prayed that God would help me to ignore them and not be bothered by them while serving in Honduras that week. The prayer worked really well and I didn't freak out even when a lizard fell on my face while sleeping one night. The week after I got back home, I was walking to church and jumped when a bug landed on my shirt. It was just a lady-bug. I had to laugh. I had asked God to cover me while in Honduras, which He did. I hadn't asked for it after I got back home. How precious are His blessings. How much we take them for granted.
I won't be able to blog while in Nic, but I should be able to post on Facebook through my phone. I'll journal the good old fashioned way writing in a notebook. Then I'll transfer that to my blog after I get back. I know there will be lots to say. God is really busy and I can't wait to see what all He does in the next few months. He is mighty. I am humbled to belong to Him.
Yesterday was nice at church. I love seeing my FBCR family in the halls between services. While worshipping with Cuerpo Vivo, I was reminded of how much I feel a part of that church family. I will miss them so much while I'm in Nic, but I know they will welcome me back with open arms and the customary kisses on the cheek. (I love that culture) They prayed over me and commissioned me as a missionary to Nic for these next 6 weeks. There are a couple of families from our congregation who are from Nic, and it's special to them to know that someone is going to be loving on the people of their country. I can't wait to get back to serve with Cuerpo Vivo.
Last night I stayed home with Jet, who is terrified of fireworks. I was finishing up a couple of summer dresses for Nic, and while in my chair with my hands busy with needle and thread, I was petting Jet with my foot. It was quite funny. Jet and I share an aversion to the loud noises of fireworks. Although, I've never went so far as to dig my way out of the yard like he did yesterday. It was so crazy to see that he expended that much energy, after all, he lays down to eat! I hope I was a comfort to him. He's such a good boy.
I'm sooooo looking forward to serving in Nic. Sometimes it feels a little strange to think I'll be gone for 6 weeks, but I know it will fly by while I'm there. A lot will have changed here when I get back on the 21st of August. FBCR will be meeting for worship in the new building on Bellview Rd. Cuerpo Vivo will be meeting in the sanctuary and nursery wing of the Olive St building. Kids will be back in school. It will be time to gear up for planning the fall missions opportunities. I feel like God is putting my life on fast-forward for 2 months.
I've noticed how God is preparing my mind and heart for these next weeks. I feel I'm getting in "Nic mode". Preparing for no-frills living, basic concerns, shutting out the prosperous world and focusing on ministering to the most needy people. The culture is lacking compared to US standards, but the relationships take on more importance. Miss Mary (who works with Voice of Hope in Nic) told me that she likes the changes that come over her when serving in Nic. It reminds me of the answer I finally came up with (after much prayer) when people asked what I would miss most about leaving NYC - I realized I would miss the "me" that God allowed my life to become while on the 'misson field'. I know I will feel that again when in Nic. It's basic, minus creature comforts, but full of pure love coming from God thru us to the people who live there. I can't wait.
This coming week will be chock-full of meetings and errands to tie up loose ends for the ministries here and with prep for the trip. I think I've got my clothes figured out, gifts for the Nic people ready to pack, and I think it will all fit in the suitcases! I still need to buy 2 months of my prescriptions, stock up on vitamins & supplements to make up for the limited diet, some special food items to try to be liver-healthy, a few toiletries and bug repellent, etc. I'm stretching my budget tight this month, but I know that God will provide. He always does.
There are a few flies in the house that seem to have taken on the mission of preparing me for bugs flying around my face in Nic. ha It reminds me of 10 years ago when I went to Honduras on a mission trip. I don't like bugs much and I prayed that God would help me to ignore them and not be bothered by them while serving in Honduras that week. The prayer worked really well and I didn't freak out even when a lizard fell on my face while sleeping one night. The week after I got back home, I was walking to church and jumped when a bug landed on my shirt. It was just a lady-bug. I had to laugh. I had asked God to cover me while in Honduras, which He did. I hadn't asked for it after I got back home. How precious are His blessings. How much we take them for granted.
I won't be able to blog while in Nic, but I should be able to post on Facebook through my phone. I'll journal the good old fashioned way writing in a notebook. Then I'll transfer that to my blog after I get back. I know there will be lots to say. God is really busy and I can't wait to see what all He does in the next few months. He is mighty. I am humbled to belong to Him.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday evening and I'm sitting in the recliner with my feet up and reflecting on the past week. It has been really good week. Working with the Youth for Mission Rogers week has been great. The kids were hard workers and had great attitudes. They did everything asked of them. They didn't complain. They were upbeat. They worked well together. They prayed for each other and for the people we served this week. It was a true pleasure to serve with them.
We really made an impact on the church building. We cleaned places that don't get much attention, but we sure could see the difference. They kids actually asked to continue cleaning the stairwells today to complete the job themselves. They were using their own toothbrushes to get into the grooves. They spent hours this week digging deep to get that dirt out. They took special pride in a job well done for their church building. Hopefully, they will remember how to clean this well when they are at home! ha. I can use the pictures I took of them working as blackmail to show their parents that they really do know how to get the job done. :)
I received a letter and a few emails and phone calls from agencies where we worked thanking us and telling us what a positive experience it was for our Youth to be there. That is music to my ears! We don't do this work for our own satisfaction or to receive praise. We do it to shine Christ's light and be an example to others. Getting responses from the people we touch just shows us that we were being obedient and sharing Him. What a privilege for us to serve in His name.
Now that Mission Rogers is over, I will spend the next week getting ready to spend 6 weeks in Nicaragua. It's sinking in that I will actually be gone for a month and a half. I have much to do in the next 7 days. Besides getting all my clothes and meds and necesities together, I need to get my room ready for guests if needed and also clean up the car so I can return it to the wonderful familiy who have loaned it to me this past year. I know this week will fly by. I'm excited about getting to be in Nic for so long. It will be hot, humid, rainy, dirty, buggy and... AWESOME!!! I can't wait to see the interpreters again and Miss Mary and the Spiegels and the Pastors that Voice of Hope works with. I can't wait to see who God leads to Himself through our sharing. I can't wait to see God at work in this special place.
It's just Deanna and me (and Jet the dog and Lucy the cat) tonight, since the grandkids are at their other grandparents' house. It's quiet and we're back to our normal evening of watching tv together, me with the laptop and Deanna with her book. Jet in his favorite spot beside Deanna's chair and who knows where the cat is hanging out... It's a restful evening to recoup from a busy week. Thank you Lord for all the blessings you shower on me.
We really made an impact on the church building. We cleaned places that don't get much attention, but we sure could see the difference. They kids actually asked to continue cleaning the stairwells today to complete the job themselves. They were using their own toothbrushes to get into the grooves. They spent hours this week digging deep to get that dirt out. They took special pride in a job well done for their church building. Hopefully, they will remember how to clean this well when they are at home! ha. I can use the pictures I took of them working as blackmail to show their parents that they really do know how to get the job done. :)
I received a letter and a few emails and phone calls from agencies where we worked thanking us and telling us what a positive experience it was for our Youth to be there. That is music to my ears! We don't do this work for our own satisfaction or to receive praise. We do it to shine Christ's light and be an example to others. Getting responses from the people we touch just shows us that we were being obedient and sharing Him. What a privilege for us to serve in His name.
Now that Mission Rogers is over, I will spend the next week getting ready to spend 6 weeks in Nicaragua. It's sinking in that I will actually be gone for a month and a half. I have much to do in the next 7 days. Besides getting all my clothes and meds and necesities together, I need to get my room ready for guests if needed and also clean up the car so I can return it to the wonderful familiy who have loaned it to me this past year. I know this week will fly by. I'm excited about getting to be in Nic for so long. It will be hot, humid, rainy, dirty, buggy and... AWESOME!!! I can't wait to see the interpreters again and Miss Mary and the Spiegels and the Pastors that Voice of Hope works with. I can't wait to see who God leads to Himself through our sharing. I can't wait to see God at work in this special place.
It's just Deanna and me (and Jet the dog and Lucy the cat) tonight, since the grandkids are at their other grandparents' house. It's quiet and we're back to our normal evening of watching tv together, me with the laptop and Deanna with her book. Jet in his favorite spot beside Deanna's chair and who knows where the cat is hanging out... It's a restful evening to recoup from a busy week. Thank you Lord for all the blessings you shower on me.
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