Sunday,
February 17, 2013, 9:00 AM
Long time no chat! Mornin ya’ll. So
glad to have this opportunity to update you all on our time here in El Salvador. It
is beautiful here. We are currently staying in a resplendent home in the little
town of Apastapaque.
Much of our ministry takes place here, even more of it takes place five miles
down the road in San Vicinte. It’s a small town of probably a few thousand with
the volcano (San Vicente) keeping watch over its inhabitants. Don’t worry, it’s
inactive. The weather here is humid! Yet, it hasn’t been too hot lately,
probably high 80’s and 90’s. Cold showers are the kiss of heaven.
Since we’ve been here, we’ve had the
opportunity to share our testimonies with teenagers, share the Gospel in the
community, distribute food to the poor, pray for the people we’ve been blessed
to bless, play with kids (including several sponsored through Compassion), lead
worship at church services, and we’re currently putting together dramas for
church services to come.
It has truly been a great
experience. Our team has been growing much closer and our contacts are quickly
becoming good friends. Victor, Norma, and Oscar are all very cood people; they
speak just enough English and we speak just enough Spanish to have a good time.
The organization they lead is called GPS, Generacion Para Salvacion, Generation
for Salvation. They’re all about spreading the Gospel.
There is only one sport that people play in Central America, soccer. And everyone plays it. Even the
“unathletic” kids have better footwork than I do. It’s disgusting. The
atmosphere here is loud. Think of the movie I Am Legend. When Will Smith goes
to sleep in the bathtub and you can hear all the zombies tearing the city
apart, that’s what it sounds like here at 6:00 AM. It is a rooster zombie
appocalypse. Fortunately, I’ve learned to sleep through it.
And for all the opportunities we’ve
had in the community, I’ve really sensed God at work in our own group. He is
truly growing us and teaching us. It’s hard not to when you average around four
church services a week. Though, El Salvadorian time usually runs 30 – 60
minutes after what is scheduled and most times we don’t know what we’re doing
until the day of. But hey, I’m just along for the ride. J
God has really been at work in my
own heart. I’ve noticed that, often, when I pray, it’s with anxiety. Prayers
like, “Lord, please help me. I can’t do this without you.” And just in life,
I’ve noticed that often I will get anxious about what’s happening or what
others are thinking. The Lord is teaching me to just let that go. When I feel
like I’m not doing everything I could be doing and I’m anxious about what I
should be doing, I’ve resolved to not let it upset me.
“Be happy, young man, while you are young and let your
heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and
whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you
to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the
troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.” Ecclesiastes
11:9-10.
Really, it’s a decision I make every day. “I’m not
going to worry about life. I’m going to seek God, live for Him, and let what
happens happen.” That’s it. And I have had so much more peace with this
resolution. Anxiety and worry should have no place in the Christian’s life.
It’s just something that the Spirit has really placed on my heart. God loves
me, He desires an intimate relationship with me, He’s watched over me all my
life, and He’s not going to leave me now. I can rest in that.
Please continue your prayers for our group. Many of
our squaddies have been sick lately, Daniel, Ben, Emily, and others. Several
are convinced it is spiritual, and I think that may very well be the case. The
discussions that have arisen around the topic have been most excellent. So,
yes, please continue to pray for us.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip
thus far and each day brings new experiences and new joys. God is growing us,
He is moving in the community, and it is exciting to be a part of. I am so
blessed to have this opportunity. Thank you guys for your continued support. To
all of you back home, Dios les Bandiga. Looking forward to hearing from ya’ll.
Via con Dios amigos.
