A short summary

Another month gone by, and it feels like it all happened in a day. Time has gone by so fast I can’t even distinguish one day from another. I’ve learned a lot this last month, both intellectually (with Spanish) and spiritually. I still feel like I should know a lot more. But when I think back to the first day I got here and I look now and see that I can communicate and get around (even if it’s still pretty broken Spanish) I can only thank God and give Him the glory because I am completely incapable on my own.

This past month was a busier one because we hosted an evangelistic event (a picnic) for all the people in this area. So we spent twice as much time working to prepare for all the people that would come. We had a turn out of 4,000 and it still blows my mind all that was done by God’s grace. I was part of the work crew and spent 10 hours that day outside in the sun picking up trash. Unfortunately it was really hot that day so I got pretty burnt. But it was worth it. I didn’t get any opportunities to share the gospel but it was presented many times and many of the students here had the job of handing out tracks and talking to people. I am not sure exactly how many people came to know the Lord but I know that it was close 430. God is so cool! I was so very privileged to be apart of serving that day.

Christmas is drawing near and in about two weeks I will be on a plane headed home for a month of break. I’m so excited to come home and see you all. It’s quite a blessing to get a little time with family and friends. I’m sorry this is so short but this is unfortunately all the time I have to write, right now. Please pray that God would continue to strengthen me as I learn Spanish and his word. See you shortly. Much Love.

Reflections

A lot has happened here these last few weeks. Sorry it’s been so long, I just haven’t really found the time to write these days. Everything has been a whirlwind, and I am learning things about as fast as my mind is able to contain them. I have definitely had my weak moments where I have cried out to the Lord, and I’ve had my moments of encouragement where my heart felt full and complete in Christ. God has been gracious in all things since I have left, gracious in guiding me, in keeping me safe, in teaching me things, gracious in my insufficiency. I have days when I wake up and wish that I didn’t have to speak and learn Spanish. But the goal lies before me to strive hard and finish well, and it’s the kind of goal that is only attained through the strength of Christ.

Yesterday we went to Buenos Aires to begin application for a visa. I was praying that as I stepped off the word of life campus God would somehow present an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. It’s so funny how he gave me the opportunity too. I write scripture on my arms as a memorization tool, and the lady who was taking my fingerprints asked me about it. I told her it was a bible verse, she was rather baffled by it, and called me unusual. She asked me if I was Baptist,(LOL) and I told her that I was, and that I loved my church very much. I asked her about her religion, and she told me that she was Catholic: because it was what the people of Argentina commonly believed. I asked her how she liked it, and she told me that it was a hard religion, hard to follow the rules and that she often felt without hope. But at that moment I realized I didn’t know enough Spanish to hold my own and share with her the hope that I have. (our conversation was all in Spanish) I told her I was praying for her, and that’s really all I could form as far as Spanish words go. I do not know her by name, and I wish with all my heart that I could have shared the gospel but I know the One who does know her by name and so prayer seems to be the most important thing I can do. I wanted to ask that you also would pray for her.

A little later I was buying something from a street vendor, my friend and I talked to him about where he came from (I wasn’t really able to hold my own in that conversation, so I just listened.) and like the crazy gringa I am, I realized I had like 50 spanish tracks in my purse: so I handed him one and told him it was very good and to read it if he had time. I’d also like to ask you to pray for him. I am unsure of what his name is as well, but God knows who he is. Please pray someone will again share with them the gospel, and that Christ would change their hearts.

I have learned so much in such a short time. I feel like I should be a lot farther ahead of where I am though, and that at times can be discouraging. But I have learned more about the Lord; and my relationship with Him is continuing to get deeper. I am so excited to watch God continue to work in my life and the lives of those around me here.

It’s been such a humbling two months, the Lord has guided my every step though, just as He promised in proverbs 3: 5-6. I’m not sure what all to update you on though, my life has kind of been the broken record on repeat. I have classes, study, work, eat, and sleep, pretty much in that order every day. Which is not a bad thing it just doesn’t leave me that much to say. I do have a few prayer requests though. Please pray for my focus, I so long to be totally focused on the purpose that God has for me, but sometimes even in the midst of such a structuralized schedule it’s easy to become unfocused. Pray that I would be able to learn Spanish really well, so that I am able to share the gospel and go out on more ministry opportunities, and please pray that I would not become inward in a way that would be selfish and focusing on me but that I would love others fully and ultimately glorify God with the decisions I make and the life I live.

Details!

Two weeks down. Who would believe that I have already been here over two weeks? It feels a little like the twilight zone in a lot of ways honestly, I feel as though I have crossed dimensions entirely.

Being here has a lot of ups and downs. Some days I am absolutely out of my mind excited- to learn the language, to share the gospel, to learn and to grow in my walk. Other days are not so easy. There are times when I want so badly to communicate with someone but cannot form the words in a way that makes sense, or I become tired and am ready to do away with Spanish entirely, and sometimes living with so many people makes me want to run away from the business, and the never ending lists of things to do. But all in all I feel that Christ is teaching me through every experience, in every good feeling of encouragement and especially in every struggle. I find myself constantly coming to Him, and listening to Him as my only source of strength.

We finally began classes. It’s really tough, but tough in a good way. I think we are going to transition into only speaking Spanish in class next month, so that will be a hard adjustment I am sure, and I could definitely use some prayer in that area.

There is never a moment that I don’t have something to do here, which I really love. Tuesday through Friday I wake up at 6 and breakfast is 6 50, we have a class devotion at 7 45 and classes start by 8 30. I have three 45 minute Spanish classes in a row, and then we have chapel, after chapel we have Bible class. Right now we are studying the book of James and I am really enjoying it. We have two 50 minute Spanish classes, and then we have lunch at 1. We have a short break after lunch, which I typically use to take a siesta, mostly cause it keeps me sane. J At 2 30 we have a mandatory study time in our classroom and that last until 3 45. At 4 15 on Tuesday and Thursday we have work, I work in the garden (which I love btw,) its really hard work but so relaxing to have some time to think, pray, and talk in my horrible Spanish to some very amazing girls. Wednesday and Friday I have basketball, which I haven’t actually gone to yet so hopefully that goes well. Work/ sports gets over at 5 30 and I usually take a run or spend some time alone with the Lord then grab a really fast shower and have dinner at 7. After dinner we either have more mandatory study time, UME, or GEA from 8 30 to 9 45 or 10. UME stands for Student Missions Union, (but in Spanish it’s actually an acronym lol) it’s a ministry that they have here that’s dedicated to praying for other countries. My UME group prays for Venezuela, I really am enjoying praying for Venezuela and learning about their country and the needs they have there. Definitely pray for the people in Venezuela if you think to, pray that Christ would continue to rise up missionaries all over the world to passionately proclaim His gospel to every nation, fulfilling their needs physically but primarily the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. At 10 we go back to our dorms and get ready for bed. Before bed we share about our day, or share our testimony, and once a week we invite a missionary to share their testimony. At about 10 45 or so we turn the lights out and that ends a very busy, but amazing day. Saturday through Monday would be considered the weekend here. We do a lot of ministry related things on Saturdays, most weekends we will serve here on campus by doing extra work, or help with the youth ministry that they have on Saturday night. Sunday we have a church service, and then I am mostly free, and on Mondays we have testing and classes for the first part of the day but they give us the rest of the day off to study and hang out. I really enjoy being here, and the way the Lord is growing me encourages my soul. Jesus has been so good to me, and I feel so overwhelmed by the purpose that He has for me.

One more thing I wanted to share before I close is about the ministry that I got to do in Buenos Aires Yesterday. Yesterday was Spring Day here in Argentina, It’s kind of like Spring Break, but just one day so everyone was off from School. (I feel as though they are getting ripped off just taking one day off, but they don’t seem unhappy with it. J ) Basically on Spring day everyone and their mama is outside enjoying the weather and hanging out, so we went to a busy run down part of the city and witnessed to everyone we saw. It was so amazing! God truly broke my heart when I saw the lost people there. I think I was more saddened by my lack of sensitivity to the need for salvation all around me than anything else. When I looked into the eyes of those searching souls I felt such sadness, guilt, and compassion. Only one problem- I don’t speak Spanish very well, at all. So I spent the majority of yesterday praying for those who were witnessing and being witnessed to, and then also listening to others sharing the gospel in Spanish. 52 people made a decision to follow Christ in the area we were working in. It was really awesome to see and to be a part such a beautiful thing. I cannot wait until the moment I can share the gospel with someone in another language as well, it gives me yet another incentive to work hard in my studies.

Well that’s pretty much all I can say right now, I am out of time. But there is so much more to share. The things God has shown me and the many things I have learned since being here are too numerous to count. These two and a half weeks have been so full, it feels more like 2 and half months in life lessons. I so appreciate your prayers, thank you all so much. The power your prayers if evident in my life, and I feel so blessed by them. Definitely feel free to comment and ask questions, and I will try my best to answer them in my next blog. Love you guys!

P.S: Sorry for all the spelling, and grammatical errors. I had to write this as fast as I could so it’s probably a mess. Hasta Luego!

A time to learn

Finally I am in Argentina! The place I have prayed over and thought about for a couple of years now. The experience so far has been better than I could ever have imagined, I know that I am in the center of God’s plan and there is deep satisfaction for me in Christ within that plan. I cannot think of one thing that I do not love about being here. But then the hard part is just beginning. When I landed in Argentina my world suddenly changed. Everyone was speaking Spanish! You may think: “Duh,” but no one can prepare you for what it feels like to be the foreigner that does not understand what anyone is saying. At first it overwhelmed me, perhaps in part because of the lack of sleep, but also partially due to the culture shock. Many things here are different from America. But most differences I have found that I like better. For one: the people here are very affectionate, and I really enjoy how laid back it is. Everyone that I meet treats me as though they have known me forever, and I enjoy the closeness. I also truly love the Spanish language, and so I am striving very hard to learn as much as I can, as fast I am capable.

I thought that I knew more Spanish than I did. But when I got here I realized I truly only know how to say about three or four sentences, and none of them make any sense to say if you do not know when to say them. But God has blessed me with roommates who have become some of my closest friends thus far, and they are as eager as I am to help me learn Spanish. They call me the “learning machine” and seem shocked but pleased at my extreme desire to learn. But if I do not learn I cannot speak to anyone! Which believe me is a tragedy.

I know that this will only get harder! Please pray for me this next week as I start my first official week in class. It is one thing to learn hundreds of little words to communicate with my roommates but I am nervous for the grammatical part of the learning. Yet I know that the Lord is my help, whom (or what) shall I fear?!

The Journey Begins.....

Somehow I got everything I own packed into two suitcases. Which is amazing considering my typical packing techniques. Generally my motto is: ‘if it fits it ships.’ I woke up this morning with such a surreal feeling. After all these months of waiting for this day to get here, it was here- but it didn’t truly feel like it, and that feeling followed me to the airport. It was hard to say goodbye to family of course. Leaving home holds a bitter-sweet feeling- not wanting to let go of childhood, but also excited for what God has in store. I can feel your prayers; the Lord has given me peace in my heart all day today. I didn’t even get lost in the airport, which is no small task for anyone that truly knows me well. The Lord has also really blessed me today more than I could have ever expected. I knew that there would be a few students going to WOL, (Word of Life) Argentina on my flight, but I wasn’t sure how meeting them was going to come about. When I first got to the airport with my family, we sat across from another family that appeared to be saying goodbye to their son as well. I thought to myself: “I bet he’s going to Argentina too.” I was right in thinking that, because he is. He introduced himself to me in the Atlanta Air Port, because the coincidence that we would be on the same flight from Dayton to Atlanta, and from Atlanta to Argentina just seemed to strange. I kept thinking to myself how gracious God was in putting us together so swiftly. Five minutes after meeting him, one of the girls going to Argentina on my flight joined up with us, and within a few minutes of meeting her another guy met up with us, and so the four of us, by the grace of God all felt a little better about the twelve hour plane ride to Buenos Aires knowing we knew someone. We all hit it off right away, which was such a blessing! Coincidentally I ended up on this flight with the seat right next to me open. So one of the guys that I met up with ended up sitting with me, which has made this a pretty enjoyable flight.

Right now it is actually five in the morning. Sleeping on air planes has never been easy for me. But it makes for a lot of time to pray, I think I have about 3 more hours to pray! Which is exciting, but I may be running soley on coffee and the grace of God to make it through another day without any sleep. That is all I can say for tonight, my mind is tired even though I cannot sleep.