Hi! I haven’t blogged in a while so my apologies, dear friends. We are currently in El Salvador…here’s a little update:
After a pretty comfortable/fun first month in Quiche, Guatemala we headed to Antigua for debrief. My team met with our coaches (Seth and Karen Barnes), discussed our strengths & weaknesses as a team, and what we hope to get out of month two. It was a good conversation. I’m getting more comfortable with opening up about how I’m feeling… but it’s definitely something I’ve had to (have to) acquire – I’m not much for hurting people’s feelings. In fact, last night (10/8) my team put me in the “warm seat”. Basically, we go around and give each other constructive feedback. Here are some of the things my team had to say about me: with braver when giving constructive feedback, be more open with what God’s teaching me that day/week, and be intentional with my time (with God and with teammates). So good – all of it! I’m kinda the “baby Christian” on my team, so I never thought anyone would care what I was learning, because they had probably heard it before. Wrong. One of my teammates said she was inspired by my desire to learn and study the Bible – cool! Another one of my teammates said he would walk with me through stuff I’m learning – double cool! Look at this awesome community, developing right at my feet!
So, let me backtrack for a quick second… after Antigua, we loaded the bus for Santa Ana, El Salvador for, what we thought to be, a brief 4 hour drive. Not. It turned into a squishy, hot, 12 hour bus ride. What? Why?? And I don’t know. But we made it and that’s all that mattered! And let me tell you something… El Salvador is BEAUTIFUL!!! Even more so than Guatemala. AND the family we’re staying with is quirky, fun, personable and caring. So good. We’re assisting this month with their churches homeless and prison ministries, along with speaking in schools and nursing homes. Have I ever mentioned that I love old people? Shout out to my g-ma, Mimmim! Love you!
Okay, so back to the stuff I’ve been learning this month -here’s a little paraphrased version:
Humility: So some people on the race think I’m funny; some people think I can sing. I think neither (especially the funny thing… like whaaat?) But God quickly informed me that any gifts He has given given/will give me are not mine at all, they are His. Look back at good ole King David in Psalm 108:1. David had it all – wealth, power, honor, but he presented all of his attainments to God through praise and worship. This is something that I’m trying to do (not that I’m a king or anything) but with the little stuff. You know? I try to remember 2 Samuel 6:22: “And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.” God blesses us with so much so that we, in return, have the honor of casting it all at His feet in praise. So good, right?
Watching: So I pray,right? Yes. But what do I do after I pray? Not much. But God wants us to watch after we pray! What does that mean? He wants us to be aware of who and what is around us to see how He is working. He wants us to pause and ask, “How are you working right now, in this hour?” “What themes are you emphasizing right now in my life?” We need to be aware of how He moving within each day, not just long term.
Contentment: So this past Saturday we had a free day so we all hung out for awhile. Then I decided to take my computer and work on this “World Race” photo book for our coaches. After about an hour later, I decided I was done, and packed it up. I walked around the house looking for people. A few asleep, but otherwise pretty empty. I walked over to the “girls house” – same thing. A few asleep, but otherwise pretty empty. Where was everyone??? I wanted to hang out!! Then God said: “You don’t need others, you have me.” Ohhhhhh. Crap. Whoops. Why do I always want to be around people? Why isn’t God my default when I’m alone? Why do I not think to talk to God right away about things? Something I’m working on…
That’s a little sneak peak at what God has/is teaching me this month. More to come soon.
PS – my teammate, Shari sent this song to our team and I’m obsessed. Let me know what you think! ANDDDDDD if God is teaching YOU something this month/week/day, post it here! I’d love to hear about it! Peace.
