With the rainy season virtually over, the wind has picked up
and the breeze is almost a constant. Apparently
this time of year is when the gnats go crazy and we find pockets of them
everywhere, just hovering in the air. I
still have a hard time remembering that Thanksgiving is this coming week…it
just feels so strange to have hot weather in November.
for me last week. We had so many kids
come out and help us with the trash, and then we had a blast playing games with
them, acting out a parable, singing fun praise songs, and prayer. Alberto, one of my favorites, was at my side
every second, offering to help with the trash, running into my arms to escape
being tagged during the game, and just to sit in my lap during the story. A ton of these kids are cousins and so we’re
getting to know the families in the barrio better every week.
Alberto, Fernanda, and me picking up trash and then praying.
This week’s teaching was on being firmly rooted in our
identity in Christ and how we need to actively protect that against the lies
this world and the devil throw at us. So, needless to say, it was some intense teaching and was made even more
so by the tangible lesson that Charles had planned. We each had to get four huge rocks, each to
represent something in our life that is keeping us from being totally
surrendered to the Lord. And then we
were told we had to carry the rocks in our backpacks all week, every moment
except for shower. We even had to wear them
to sleep. It was a physical reminder of
the way that sin, pride, control, things like that literally burden us and
prevent us from living in the freedom which God intended for us.
Three of our team members coach a soccer team here and
Saturday was the championship game. A
bunch of us went to cheer them on and although they lost, it was so much fun to
watch. A ton of the kids we do trash pick-up with came with us and so we had a
pretty loud cheering section. Actually,
I think we were the only fans there, period. J
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! While I’ll certainly miss the traditions,
food, friends and family from home, know that I am so thankful for each of you
and will be thinking happy thoughts that day. But someone please enjoy a piece of Debbie’s chocolate pie for me! J
ALSO-Speaking of being thankful, thanks be to God, I have
SURPASSED my support-raising needs and don’t need anything else at all! So even
if you have pledged to give money in the future, I no longer need it. I am truly overwhelmed with the way the Lord
met my needs through so many of you. I
don’t know if I can say thank you enough!!!
