July 8th, 2009
Now we're caught up to today. Wednesday. The weather was rainy in Bijagua so painting was off and evangelism on. Today was soo encouraging. 4 out of the 6 houses we went to were believers. One was a housekeeper, the second was an elderly couple who had a crazy amount of kids. Hugo and Greta (iffy on the spelling) were strong believers along with Greta's mom Ramona. Ramona is blind and today was her 90th birthday. Touch is powerful. We sat holding hands and she stroked my arm as Russ prayed for the family. Hugo pastored a church for about 10 years or more before having to retire. He prayed over us and it was so amazing!
Earlier in the day, Russ had shared with the group about his quiet time in Ezekiel 3:26-27 that morning. The man prayed that God would open our mouths and place in us the words of Jesus. Basically, the man prayed the same words Russ had read to us that morning from the Word. We left after singing "Happy Birthday" to Ramona, and Russ cried talking about how cool it was. I will say, this was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had visiting someone's home. I can still feel the touch of Ramona's hand and feel the encouragement.
The next house was a widow and her three sons. We met Virginia's youngest son Carlos, who I think was 8. Her husband died while she was pregnant with Carlos. She was a believer who attended the same church in Bijagua that we did Sunday. I got to pray over her and her family. We hugged goodbye and Andres, our translator, team member and brother, hugged her. He began to weep as they embraced. He spoke through tears into her ear in Spanish. It was so powerful and moving to see him speak from the Lord without reservation. He embraced Carlos too and spoke to him. I'm so thankful Andres can communicate in ways that we can't and that he's obedient to do so. On Tuesday he shared his testimony with us and I've enjoyed getting to know him. Later that night, we prayed over the translators and they each introduced themselves. I had shared with the group about our experience in this home and how we saw the Lord in that moment. Andres also shared, telling us that words just came to him and he had no idea that he would respond like that when he hugged her. Andres was awesome - I miss him so much already - He wasn't just our translator but He's a fellow member of the Body of Christ and it was sooo sweet to get to hang out with him and share the Gospel with him.
Russ, Andres and I. Of course, this picture isn't complete with Zach! He rounds out Team 5.
The fourth house was also a family of believers. Rosaria attends the local church and had invited all of the kids in her neighborhood to the VBSs. It was so encouraging to see the fruit of Pastor E's constant urging of the church to move into their community and to partner with us. Finally someone in the church was reaching their neighbors and participating with us! It was beautiful. Her friends Patricia and Eduardo were there and her son Malvin. They remembered Chandler from our last visit and asked about him. So cool. We saw them at the VBS with their neighbors that afternoon. Ahh... refreshing. They played with the kids too! No lie - these were the coolest women. They came both Wednesday and Friday to hang out with us and brought the kids both times. They learned 4-square, played frisbee, etc. and it was awesome. Malvin got the hang of 4 square quickly too! and Juan, one of the kids they brought, was awesome.
Rosaria trying to get one of the little boys excited about games. She was awesome.
The 5th house was our first house we shared the Gospel in. It was a couple whose sister, a believer, came up and encouraged them while we were sharing. They admitted that they'd been wanting something different in their lives. It was pretty sweet. The woman reminded me of Haley.
The last house was a house of believers. Zach shared his testimony and we prayed over them. I was so proud of Zach - he was honest and fluid in his speech and it was powerful to see God at work. We left for lunch and did VBS at the church in Bijagua in the afternoon.
We did sports at VBS - which was hysterical at times. Dodgeball turned into throwing the ball right back at Russ. The older kids had fun though. One little girl, I think her name was Sally (To be honest, they kept repeating her name and each time I had no idea what they were saying), was a stinker - but a precious one. I held her and we played games together. She and her older brother Juan and older sister came with Rosaria. They were precious and Juan and I perfected high-5's.
Juan scoping out the games. Sally (so we'll call her) and I spinning around!
Ashley shared her testimony and the Gospel and some kids received Christ, it was awesome.
Tonight we got to talk about our highlights and worship. Caroline and I got to do our bible studies. The translators got into a circle and introduced themselves and we got to pray over them. It's amazing how you grow to love people so quickly. Charlie is going on full time with Open Eye in Nicaragua in December. They'll be working in a large, poor area. It's awesome and special to see Charlie - post gangster, tattoos - talking about how he loves us and we're his family - how he prays for us and gets anxious to see us. I love him - even his constructive criticism and tutoring me on how to cut Lauren's hair.
Circling around the translators and Kasey - Open Eyes' awesome intern. And Charlie - in his defense, he was talking to someone and completely unaware of this picture.
In my quiet times I've read a bit in Romans, all of 1, 2, and 3 John and then my Psalm (32), and it's just cool to read about God's love and forgiveness. I hope He's kneading it into my heart and that He keeps turning me into the likeness of His Son. I need him and I'm realizing how frequently I try to trust in other things. It's frustrating but I guess I'm learning the personal relationship of the heart and not just the head. I'm relearning the simple maybe? But I'm still so far from having it all together and getting it all - which won't happen till I meet the Lord.
In my quiet times I've read a bit in Romans, all of 1, 2, and 3 John and then my Psalm (32), and it's just cool to read about God's love and forgiveness. I hope He's kneading it into my heart and that He keeps turning me into the likeness of His Son. I need him and I'm realizing how frequently I try to trust in other things. It's frustrating but I guess I'm learning the personal relationship of the heart and not just the head. I'm relearning the simple maybe? But I'm still so far from having it all together and getting it all - which won't happen till I meet the Lord.
Today we found out an 8th grade girl was raped and murdered in Bijagua. For those unfamiliar with the area - it's like a tight-knit community about 2 miles from our camp in Rio Naranjo. My safety bubble burst and I felt sick to my stomach. The man, who they think is a member of the community, hasn't been caught and my faith was seemingly absent in the midst of anxiety. BUT this is truth - I believe, forgive my unbelief:
1) God is sovereign
2) He is Love
3) He has a plan for me, for our team, for everyone
4) He will uphold me in any circumstance
5) I am secure in Christ alone
6) This is not my home.
It's amazing - as I look back over my journal entry and the prayer that followed that list - how good Satan is at his job - I mean, he knows right where to hit me the hardest with the easiest of blows. I need the Lord... much more than I feel at times.
