September 22, 2014

Just a quick update while I’m sitting here on the computer this afternoon…

The time is flying by so quickly, I just can’t wrap my head around it all.

God is so faithful!  The vision that He put in my heart and mind in January has grown and blossomed into His plan and is still multiplying.  What an honor to get to see it all unfold from right in the middle of things!

Our weekly schedule is somewhat flexible and gets pushed and pulled in different ways each week, to allow for ministry and cultural influences.  The main objective is to be prepared for anything and follow HIS lead in everything.

We have some type of class going on each of 6 days a week.  I have had requests for classes on Sundays, but that is a day that I protect for honoring God with rest and worship.  The other days are very busy and full.  Language classes, Bible Study classes, Sewing/skills classes, Bible Study over Skype, meetings, visits and prayer time.  It fills up quickly.  The key is not to be ‘busy doing things’, but to be ‘obedient in His directions’.  We pray over a balance of that. 

I’m thankful that God has been prodding me along to carve out time for some early morning walks before the busy-ness begins.  I still juggle some things, like finding time for cooking (more than just for survival), sewing personal projects, reading special books, laundry, correspondence, personal Bible Study, visiting friends, etc.  But it all has a place and time and God is the creator and keeper of time, so I’m learning more and more to look to Him to plan my days and weeks.

I love being a part of so many different Bible Studies.  It is a wonderful time of learning for me.  I’m hungry and thirsty for God’s Word and so thankful that He makes a way for me to be fed in these ways.

I also love my church here in Nica, Iglesia Comunidad Cristiano.  It is very evangelistic and discipleship minded.  I’m blessed to get to provide a Bible Study for Young Ladies from our church.  I’ve gained a lot more unofficial daughters!  I spoke at the Youth service last Friday night and there was no translator.  So I did my best with my average, but improving, Spanish skills.  We made it through about 15-20 minutes without too much mishaps.  God is great in communicating between us. 

I’m so used to living in the midst of God’s will that I sometimes surprise myself when I remember that I’m physically living in Nica now.  I wonder why it doesn’t seem strange to me, but I think it’s because it’s HIS will and it just feels natural.  I love it.  It’s hard sometimes, but it is so worth it knowing that He’s leading me and all I have to do is hang on and be obedient!  Sometimes I hear Him tell me to ‘just BE’ and He’ll take care of the rest.  So, for each day, I just try to be ready for whatever He brings along. 

I’m so excited to see the women coming for the sewing/skills classes.  We have a new volunteer teacher, who knows how to do just about everything under the sun!  She has a wonderful heart for sharing Jesus, especially to hurting ladies and teens.  She has one of the sweetest spirits that I’ve every seen.  It’s such a blessing to work along side of her.  (I think God will have a section of heaven just for sewing and crafts and I’ll get to spend time with Veronica and others like her!  How fun!)

It warms my heart to see the look in the ladies’ eyes when I hand them money from the sales of their handcrafts.  I wish it would happen more, but each time it’s a treat!  They are so genuinely thankful to be able to help support their families.  I love being a part of this ministry!  And I can’t wait to see what all God has in store for us!

Time to get a little more work done before I switch to dinner and rest mode for the remainder of today.  Tomorrow is one of the days that classes start at 9:00am and the last one ends at 8:00pm.  But it such a fun day with the ladies! 

God is good!  All the time!

He is faithful and He is worthy of praise!

I love Him with all my heart.