-Matthew 16:25
These words keep playing themselves over in my mind this morning. Living away from home, away from everyone you know, in a country where you don't even really speak the language.. it gives you more time to think. How many times in a day, an hour even, do I think more about myself than about others? More about what I want to do, how I feel, what I think... rather than how the person next to me wants to do, how they feel or what they think. It's so easy to be self centered without even realizing it. And then, God smacks you upside the head with a Bible verse that won't leave your mind. Like this morning, with Matthew 16:25.
Readjusting to anything takes a little bit of time, and there is always good and bad. I am thrilled to be back at Emmanuel, and so thankful I was placed with my boys again. I have loved seeing all the kids... there are so many it seems that everyday I'm seeing someone for the first time since I've been back! I knew before I left that when I came back there would be changes, some things would be different than before, because things always change. I knew there would be all new girls in the house I live in and that I would not have the other girl volunteers that I had become so close with anymore. All of that is true... but it is not necessarily a bad thing. I so easily made a comfort zone here at Emmanuel.. and as appealing as that is, we are called to live outside of our comfort zone. And so once again, that is where I am... and God is using that. He is showing me that in order to find my life in Jesus, I need to lose all the comforts and worldliness of my life. This sounds like a one time process, and maybe for some people it is. But for me, it is a yearly, monthly, sometimes even weekly or daily process. I give up one distraction and then without realizing it I acquire another. But God is working on my heart, and I am so thankful for the peace I feel here. I love Honduras, and I love Emmanuel.
I have been here for almost one week, and as I said, I am back with the 8-10 year old boys that I worked with for 3 months out of my last time here. It is so good to be with them! I feel that I have picked up right where I left off with the kids here. I am also working in the office, which always is a different task than the day before and I am always learning something new about Emmanuel. Please pray for opportunities to talk to these kids about their relationship with Jesus, and that they see Him in my daily words and actions. Pray that I will show them patience and grace, even when it is difficult. And pray for safe travels for everyone coming to and leaving Emmanuel... there is a new team here every week!
Thank you for your prayers and support... I so appreciate it!
Rolando, Daniel, Domingo and Josue David-
so happy to be reunited with all of my boys!
Karla and Zelenes-
two girls that are very dear to my heart
My mama wrote me letters to open while I was here,
I am so thankful for her love and support!
Beautiful girls!
