Learning curves…

Constant learning. That’s how I would sum up the last few weeks of my life. 

I’m learning new Spanish words everyday, mostly by trial and
error but I’m certainly learning. My
attempts at conversation often include a lot of laughter and hand-motions, but communication
is achieved nonetheless-most of the time. 

I’m learning to play the guitar, to sing in Spanish, how
many varieties of rice and beans there actually are, and how good a plastic bag
with juice and a straw can be on a hot day.

I’m learning more every day from the Lord about who I am in
Him. We’re reading a book right now
called Victory Over the Darkness and it has been such a good tool for pointing
me to scripture that tell me exactly how God sees me-as his precious child, set
apart and chosen to participate in the work he’s already doing in this
world. My walk with the Lord has truly
been deepened to a new level as I’m simply resting in his promises and
truth. It’s amazing to me how little I
have just basked in the knowledge of who I am in Him…it’s been a blessing to
have the time to do just that. 

“How great is the
love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be
called children of God! And that is what
we are!”                

 1 John 3:1

This verse has really encouraged me-reminding me of who I am
and why I’m here. He lavishes us with
his love so that we can be filled, overflowing even, to go share that love with
others. 

I’m also learning how ministry is life and life is
ministry. That has been a catch phrase
around our house, and it has challenged the way that I look at my life. Too often I think of “ministry” as something
structured, organized, or scheduled-an activity at a certain place and
time-rather than simply seeing everything around me as an opportunity to share
in what God is already doing.

If you want to know how to pray for me and our team here are
some specifics:

One of our translators, Mario, is really searching for
deeper meaning in life and it is so obvious that God is working in his life and
heart…pray that we may encourage him and just love on him and that he would
continue to let his heart be softened by the Lord.

 Also, pray for the
men who live and work at El Puente (the AIM base here). They are all men who have completed a rehab
program and are living at the base in return for their work to keep the place
up, help run many of the ministries the base has, and in general are just
serving the community we live in. Their
lives are such a testimony of God’s redemptive and life-changing power…pray
that they may continually seek the Lord for their strength, joy and energy as
they serve this city. 

Pray for the ministry of Young Life that is starting up
here. It is just beginning and there is
already a lot of excitement among the kids here. Pray for leaders to rise up among the
students and that God would be at work in their hearts. 

There are so many other things…but that’s a start! Thank
you, as always, for reading my blog and sending so many encouraging emails! I love hearing how y’all are doing.  I hope that it finds you well! God bless!