Many days are spent in personal Bible study, preparing for
Bible study classes, running errands (usually on foot) and buying items for the
house. Since many stores just
carry a few items (unlike Walmart back in the states) it takes multiple trips
to get the things we need. As I
look back over my day planner, I see entries for each stop that I make. This helps me to remember what happens,
but it also helps me to keep track of those times that I spend a little money
here and a little money there for the things that I don’t get receipts for
(like stuff at the market, food off the street, taxi, fresh tortillas and such
from individuals). I would never
be able to remember all the happenings of the day without writing them down in
my trusty book!
I love walking, but running errands in this heat is very
tiring. I usually lie down for an
hour or so in the very hottest part of the day and read or nap a little. March and April are the hottest, driest
and dustiest months of the year, so getting to spend 4 weeks in the states
during half of April and first of May will be nice.
God has allowed so much to get done in these weeks back in
Nica that it seems like I’ve been here for months. It has been amazing to see Him at work. Classes have started, the house is starting
to get put together as I receive money for furniture, household items,
etc. Even though I would love to
have it all done, I enjoy the process of seeing it come together piece by
piece. It reminds me of how God
changes our lives piece by piece and is always improving us.
Sometimes it’s crazy trying to handle business in the states
via internet from here. I had the
hardest time all month trying to get my PO Box in Rogers paid for via computer. After sending a friend (in between ice
storms in AR) to the PO to ask about it, they said that I’m paid for another
year and not to worry about what the computer says. Ok… we’ll see!
I had quite the experience one day as I was picking up some
used furniture from a store. I
needed to borrow a vehicle. I
preferred to have someone else drive, but I was thankful for the loan of my
friend’s ministry truck.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t used to the length of the truck and I ended up
catching the front end of a parked car with a little knob that stuck out on the
side of the truck near the rear. I
pulled the whole front end off of the car! Oh my goodness!
I couldn’t believe it! My
first thought was that I was going to a Nica jail! Of course, we drew a crowd. It’s a big deal to see a woman driving, especially a truck,
and being North American can always draw a crowd. I called a friend of mine who knows a lot about cars and
drives a taxi, thinking he could come to my rescue. He was busy, but his wife, also my friend and bi-lingual
helped me out a little. (during
this time, I went ahead and had someone load my furniture into the truck – I
wasn’t going to have to make this same trip twice!!) The owner of the car finally came and I was so thankful that
he was nice and not upset. He
spoke great English because he had lived in the US and drove a truck for 20
years. He said he understands how
accidents can happen. He had hit a
horse cart at night with his truck just a few weeks ago. He made sure that I wasn’t upset and
assured me that we could take care of things easy and cheap. He just wanted the car fixed and able
to drive, since his truck was in the shop after hitting the horse. He said he would prefer taking the car
to his friend and I trusted him. I
had a peace about the whole situation.
It could have been horrible, but God was watching out for me on this
one. I followed him over to the
car shop (which is an open space in a big empty lot). He trusted me to just follow him. But I made him take my name and number before we left the
street. Of course, since we didn’t
yell at each other, the crowd had dissipated. We tied the front end of the car back on to the frame and
headed off. After chatting with
his friend (he told him to be good to me because I am a missionary), the cost
of repairs was decided to be 3500 cordobas (about $137.00 US). I was glad that it was so cheap (in my
North American eyes) and gladly paid the guy. I had to take my new friend home and he insisted on driving
the truck to his house and then I drove home. I realized that I didn’t know his name. He wrote it down for me along with his
phone number. He asked me to pray
for his mother, who is in her 80s and has cancer. Also, he asked for prayer for he and his wife for their
marriage. I’m going to give him a
call in a week or so to see how everyone is doing. I think it was a divine appointment and I’m glad that I got
to meet Gonzalo, even if it cost me money to do so. I got the truck back to my friend and after unloading my
furniture, they loaded up and took off for their ministry time in the
country. What a crazy day!
Through every day and every situation, I am thankful that my
God is in control. I pray that I
keep my mind and heart open so that I can experience all that He has planned
for me and that I don’t mess up His plans too much! Love Him!
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