October 25, 2009

It's a damp and chilly morning here in Santa Cruz...rather odd weather for us in October! Sorry I didn't get my blog updated last week, I was in the board meeting at school on Monday morning and didn't get a chance to update it throughout the rest of the day.

Thank you to those of you who were able to read my blog post from a couple of weeks ago...please continue to pray for those of us serving here. Unfortunately it is easy to get a bit bogged down in the mundane tasks of everyday and to become frustrated with a feeling that others aren't doing their part. Pray that God will strengthen us, rejuvenate us, and help us to keep our eyes focused on Him/the work He has called us to.

This past Saturday night at church, we had our evangelistic service for the month of October. This time, the single women were in charge of organizing it...as I have been leading that group...I felt a lot of pressure to get things organized. I was extremely encouraged to see many different ways in which God provided for the various details...it was was so very clear to me that the program was part of God's plan. We put on a concert, dedicated to youth. Of course it was not a style of music that everyone would enjoy...but we had some people come who had never come before. There were also people there who have not been coming very regularly recently...but were suddenly there to help and pitch in wherever needed. I was amazed by that and very appreciative to all who helped out! One of the guys in the youth presented the gospel in between the two bands that we had playing...and although I was outside seeing the first band off (as they needed to get to a service at their church)...I was told he did an excellent job and that it went very well. Please continue to pray for these times of evangelistic outreach as well as the obvious need to continue discipling new believers/members.

Some of you may know that I am currently taking another seminary class via the internet/cd-rom. I got a bit behind where I had hoped to be at this point, due to moving houses, school starting, new roommates arriving, etc. However, now that things are finally settling down...I'm working to play catchup! One of the things that the professor talked about in a current lesson, really spoke to me...I'll try to recap as best I can, in hopes that it will speak to you as well. The class is a study on Genesis, so far we've focused primarily on creation and are now starting to study the fall a bit more. The professor has been talking rather extensively about the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...as well as the serpent, Eve, and Adam's involvement in all of this. One of the points that she has made concerns the importance that SIGHT or SEEING had with regards to the fall. Chapter 3 verse 6 says, "So when the woman SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES..." The point the professor was making was that Eve made a false judgment based on what she SAW, without fully trusting the command that God had given Adam. This is what faith is all about...trusting God and His Word...even when what we SEE just doesn't make any sense at all. The professor went on to mention many more examples in the Bible, but I won't take time to do that now. However, I think that this can be a prayer for ALL of us...that we would fully trust God, based on what He says to us...not through relying on what we SEE around us!


An added tidbit of info, on a personal family note...I received this picture of my nephew about a week ago, making the announcement that his mother (my sister) is carrying a younger brother or sister for him...set to arrive the end of May! Looks like I get to be an aunt again!!! Congratulations to Emily and Christopher!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! It is so comforting for me to know that there are prayer warriors lifting me up as well as interceding for others whom I know and love. Thank you so much!

"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face." I Thessalonians 2:17

October 12, 2009

It's hard to believe that we're already half way through the month of October! Time sure does fly...it won't be long until I'll be going home for a few weeks to spend Christmas with my family! I confess that this thought comes to mind frequently these days...I think I'm ready for a vacation!

SCCLC:
We're wrapping up the first quarter at school...one down 3 to go! Please be praying for our Jr and Sr High students as they have Spiritual Enrichment Week going on for the next few days...ending with the high school retreat this weekend...and then a Servant Day in the community next week. It will be a very busy time for them...yet an excellent opportunity for them to be listening to God's voice. Pray that they'll be open to whatever message He has for them! Also, I'm finding myself frustrated with several of my students who I feel are not putting forth the effort that they should. I'm trying to give them as much small group and individual time that they need...but when I feel as I do now (that they're not putting forth any effort on their own) it basically takes the wind out of my sails! Please pray that I will not become discouraged with them and that they will have a stronger internal drive to do well.

Home:
Things in our new house continue to go well! We're starting to work on getting into a routine. We have found a woman who can come and help us clean house a couple of afternoons a week, so I'm thankful for that! It will free us up for more ministry opportunities! I have a few different visits with people over the course of the next week...so I'm looking forward to using our new house for that purpose...it is the main reason why I wanted to find an actual house to live in...as opposed to just renting a room behind someone else's house. Praise God for this great house...and the many possibilities that we have to use it for ministry!

Church:
Most of you know that for several months, we have been dividing the youth group...guys and girls...with the guys meeting at the pastor's house and the girls meeting with me here at my house. It has been a WONDERFUL time of growth for our youth group as we've seen several people accept Christ as their personal Savior. There have also been others who are Christians but who weren't interested in coming before...and have now become quite involved! However, we also see that our youth group is more divided than it has been in the past. In an effort to unite the group again...we have decided to begin meeting together at the church on Saturday nights. We'll start this change in the schedule by have our first meeting here at my house (with soccer/basketball in the afternoon, snacks, and then our service here at the house at night). After this we will begin meeting three weeks together at church and then one week separated (guys and girls). I also intend to continue planning activities for just the girls, in an effort to keep the bond that I have with them and to give them a chance to share with one another since they obviously have been enjoying that! Please pray as we make this switch, that God will continue to bless our youth program, using it for His glory. Pray also that He will raise up leaders among those who have become more involved...so that we as current leaders can be investing in their lives and discipling them...they are the future leaders!

On the side:
I have noticed currently, in my own life as well as in the lives of several others who are close to me...that it's easy right now to feel a bit burned out! I don't know if it's being over busy...stress...old haunts coming back...feelings of inadequacy...spiritual warfare...the weather...the political situation and the possibilities of future problems there...or what? However, it does make ministry difficult...that restless feeling. We really covet your prayers right now...only God can provide that renewed feeling that many of us desperately need at the moment!

Thank you for praying for the ministry in which God has called me to in Bolivia...as well as for my brothers and sisters here! May He bless you for your faithfulness to Him.

October 6, 2009

Well...as I sit here sweating in shorts and a tank top, I guess I can safely say that Santa Cruz is finally entering into the spring/summer months!

Chelsea and I have officially moved into our new house. We added another roommate, Graciela, yesterday. She is a one of the Bolivian women in charge of the orphanage where my friend Esther works, Talita Cumi...you may remember me mentioning it before. She was living in the states for almost a year and is now back in Bolivia again. I am sure she will be a wonderful addition to our new home. To see pictures of the house (as well as pictures of various other activities in the last month) click on the link below.


http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmRS

On Sunday, my church went on a day trip about 2 hours outside of the city. We were supposed to take this trip a couple of weeks ago, but had to postpone it due to bad weather. So, instead, we decided to go this past Sunday...which as it was the first Sunday of the month, would typically be our "Family Sunday". We loaded up in cars and went to a good picnic spot along the river. Each person took along their own food...we shared lunch together as well as a short devotional and fellowship time! It was lots of fun! I was particularly touched at how several of the families looked after me! I appreciated it! One of the families told me they wanted to take lunch for me...so I didn't pack anything. Then, once we were there and she gave me my plate of food...several other families started piling things on as well! It was funny...but I really did appreciate it!

I know this will be a short post, but I'm going to need to leave soon to go meet with one of the girls from the youth group...so I wanted to get a quick update out for some pictures for you to see! Enjoy! Thank you, as always, for your generous support and thoughtful prayers!