After an enjoyably mild season, the true winter started to reach New England this past Saturday. Snow fell in varying amounts depending on what town you were in. So at least we can say it is winter here :-)
Hopefully you had a wonderful time over the holidays. It was incredibly special to be able to spend quality time with family over Christmas and New Year’s. What a joy to eat, sing, and even hike with them just like old times! So grateful God allowed a quiet, meaningful set of holidays.
I am also thankful to report that during the last few days of 2015 several more one-time gifts came in, and two more people have started talking about becoming monthly givers! Currently enough funds have come in to equal 25% of the total. This amount plus promised monthly giving has brought me up to 49.8%. So I only need $37,900.69 more!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Meeting on tomorrow night.
- Presentation at Rockville Baptist Church on Sunday morning (January 31) during the Sunday School hour from 9-10am.
- For a new part-time job (current job being cut back to 10 hrs/week). Need a company that can give me 25+ hours but willing to work with my odd situation.
- For the remaining 50.2% financial support needed.
- God to guide me to new people and churches to talk to about Nicaragua.
The past 5 weeks have been on the quiet side. But that doesn’t mean these weeks were entirely uneventful! :-)
Dentist Appointment Equals Not Pain, But Possible Gain.
During a dental checkup last week, the head dentist came in and happened to remember I’m going to Nicaragua and she asked how the plans were going. After I shared what was happening, she suddenly paused and then asked me to send her more information as their firm might like to make a donation! Who knew going to the dentist could be fun?! So we shall see what the dental firm decides as they review the package I sent them. God certainly can provide in any way He chooses. Never put Him in a box.
Planned Encounter Leads to Unique Opportunity.
Earlier this month, a friend invited me to go to NYC with her. We had a fabulous day walking around and then that night something very special happened. She introduced me to her friend who is a Spanish-speaking pastor. Out of the blue, he invited me to come share about Nicaragua at his church. WOW! So Lord-willing sometime in the next month or so I’ll be in Queens, NY to do a presentation at a Spanish-speaking church! How cool is that!
Investing in Lives. Learning About Discipleship
Over the holidays I was asking God if there was someone He wanted me to take time to invest in and encourage/disciple since I am still here in the US. God has opened up an opportunity to study the Bible together with a teen girl. Praying that I grow more so I can be an encouragement to her in growing to know God more. I’m learning a lot about depending on God for every word. The last thing I want is to mess things up by taking center stage rather than letting the focus be on God and what He wants for each life.
Courage
The quieter schedule has also given me more opportunities to be involved at my church. What fun to be back helping and substitute teaching in the children classes and Wednesday program. Last week the kids and I discussed the concept of “Courage.” Mainly this lesson was based on the fact that I needed to hear it more so then they. Some of the Bible verses we dove into were:
“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
We dialogued about courage being doing what’s right/hard even when you are fearful. We discussed speaking the truth in love to others because we care more about God and their wellbeing that about how they will react at that moment. Wouldn’t you know it, God gave me a couple opportunities before and after that lesson to practice this type of courage.
Blessings to you all!