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.