“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
Hearts are healing, body parts aren’t hurting
A time to tear down and a time to build up,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
If I were to take ten minutes to spin these words into current reality I’d have to say we’ve managed to pack a lot of activities into a tiny season this month in El Salvador.
It was a time to plant,
To plant seeds of God’s love in the hearts of over 1500 boys and girls in a public school. It was a quick hello and good bye, but seeing two girls at break time actually sit on the steps and begin reading the material we gave them- made my heart happy. If one heart was changed, mended, or even softened in the time that we were there- it was worth it. My Hope is in Him!
It was a time to tear down and build up,
Walls in my life have been torn down. Vulnerability in its realest form. My desire for perfection, for control. (We’re down to studs in both areas and the Lord is doing amazing things through my team to build them up.)
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
The weeping of powerful prayer circles the ladies of the church have are convicting. The reverence of the Lord is surreal. The Holy Spirit is present. Laughter, there has been plenty too. When a child knows you don’t know how to speak their language, yet they babble at the speed of light and then laugh just because. I’ve realized that just as love needs no language, neither does laughter. Laughter has been such a light here.
A time to dance,
Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever danced so much in my life. Lyrical dances to every worship song sung during Sunday service. I’ve figured out dance moves I never knew existed. When asked if we wanted to participate, we had no choice but to say YES! We went all in. Costumes, and up-dos. Two practices per week. Knees were hurting, ankles were sore, but the girls who lead us are gracious. They laugh with us when we can’t figure out the dance move. The Lord has given me so much insight and a new perspective of worship (that will be a blog for another time).
A time to embrace,
In 3 weeks I’ve had enough hugs to save for the rest of the year. Interesting enough, I don’t want them to stop. The embrace of a stranger who welcomes you with arms wide open is empowering. When 20 students need a hug before class starts, you know your purpose in the classroom is more than just to teach English. When a church member meets you for the first time holding the hand of her deaf son, you know your purpose in that church is more than just to share the gospel. An embrace yields comfort, it yields protection, it yields connection, and it yields love.
A time to search,
Our team is actively pursing opportunities to serve the Lord. Opportunities to be led by the Spirit. It’s uncomfortable and challenging. As we search for answers personally, we also are searching for ways to bless those around us as a team. Confined to the church, the school, and the nearby coffee shop- searching has been difficult. The Lord continues to tell me to be patient, wait for Him to use me where He needs me, and in His time what we are searching for we will find.
A time for peace,
In the middle of a gang barrier, there is the potential for violence all around. In a community of people, whose language I don’t speak but am trying to understand, there is great adversity. In all of the circumstances that have presented, I have been overwhelmed with peace. I’m where I’m suppose to be. Doing what I’m suppose to do.
It’s hard to believe we only have a week left here in El Salvador.
Strangers have become friends.
Children at school know us by name.
First time visitors to the church are recognizing us on the street.
To think the best is yet to come, that this is just the beginning, is unfathomable.
But I must be patient….
I am thankful for His unending faithfulness.
I am thankful that He is in every season.
I am thankful that He is in the waiting!
