These verses are so encouraging especially in times of challenge. Sometimes ministry is sorrowing with those in sorrow.
Andy & Diane returned to the US on Tuesday for Diane’s mom’s funeral. Pray for comfort for them. I’m safe and busy in the capitol city, helping the other missionaries here, until the Larges return the end of next week.
Sometimes ministry is the necessary tasks of life. Right now I’m focused on taking on the projects that don’t require Spanish or other areas of expertize so that the others are freed up to do what only they can do. So part of the past week involved helping with children, testing sound equipment for the church plants around Nicaragua, sorting donated school supplies, going along on visits to those in need, and helping with teen events.
Sometimes ministry is watching God work and open doors. Prior to the change in schedule some very special things started happening in San Juan del Sur.
Mothers around the globe are concerned for their children: education, good friends, protection, avoidance of drugs, etc. The mothers of SJdS have the same deep concerns for their children, especially in this town. All over town moms have shared with me their concerns for their kids, and many want their kids to learn or improve their English skills.
So, I started teaching 2 separate English classes (Monday morning and Thursday afternoon). Looking forward to getting back to SJdS and resuming these classes.
There was a family with a 14 year-old boy who knew some English but wanted to learn more. He couldn’t come to either class so I invited him to come to our regular Saturday night youth group and said we could practice there. Well guess what? He came last Saturday night and after listening to our guest speaker (a Nicaraguan doctor), this boy and another boy each prayed asking Jesus to be their Savior. So incredible to see God working in lives here.
We also had a ladies’ event last week and I had the fun task of leading an ice breaker game and also leading the songs and sharing a testimony about trusting God. Very special day connecting with some of the women in the community.
Up until switching cities, I was having daily lessons in Spanish. I have had a couple opportunities to talk with my teachers about the Lord.
Prayer Requests:
- Continued flexibility day-by-day
- My residency application may not be processed until January.
- Continuing to work through adjusting to life here.
- That church construction be completed by the end of the year.
- Possible weekly meeting with my landlady to practice English/Spanish
Praises:
- Hospitality and friendship of missionaries and nationals alike
- Great church workday a couple weeks ago
- That I can still serve and be a blessing no matter what location I’m in.
- My dad finished his cycle of chemo treatments for the moment.