God gives strength to the weary
UPDATE!!
REAL LIFE
After bible club this Wednesday I opened a snapchat from my sister in law. It was of my almost 7 month old nephew. When I left home he was a newborn. In the video, he was sitting up on his own! Cooing and giggling. His personality was radiating through the phone, and I could not help but to realize that I really only know him through the phone. This was really difficult to grasp. I love my five nieces and nephews so much. Being away from them is one of the biggest sacrifices I have to make. My heart was heavy and I was wrestling with the fact that I do not get the quality time that I want with my nieces and nephews. It was not until Friday (three days later) that God really revealed yet again how incredible this opportunity is. While I was in class with my 2nd and 3rd graders, we were finishing free reading time and one of the 2nd grade boys looked at me and said “I love you.” It was sincere and genuine and made me realize how special it is that I get to show love to the 75 kids that I interact with at the school and children's center. In addition to my 5 nieces and nephews God has allowed me to love, encourage, and give direction to 75 unique and special individuals. The best part of this all is that I have not had to do it alone. God has been with me every step of the way. He is continually teaching me to cling to Him in every moment. It does not matter the circumstances, good or bad, He is increasing my reliance on Him.
At the School
I have been working really hard at breaking down walls with students who struggle academically and socially. Unexpectedly, I have become a personal aid for a student who has a learning disability. It has been one of my favorite things to watch this student grow and increase in confidence. He is a completely different student then from the beginning of the year. For example, this student gets his Bible quiz read to him. Four weeks ago he struggled so much answering the questions and would not even know where to begin. He lacked so much confidence. It took a lot of celebrating little accomplishments that slowly increased his overall confidence. He now comes when I call his name to take the quiz with a ridiculous amount of confidence. He has started making jokes and is opening up to have relationships with those who are pouring into him. He is excelling in the classroom. I pray that no matter how well he does academically that he will love coming to El Camino and I pray that this year he finds his confidence and does not let his learning disability hold him back.
The teachers at this school want nothing but the best for their students and are constantly pushing for new materials and books to enter the school. I am so happy to say that with your support money I was able to buy many new Spanish and English books for the classroom. We really want to see the students reading at home with their family members. It has been so much fun to hear the students excitedly share each morning who they read their books at home with. Grateful to be able to bring in materials that help to bring the families together!
At home
I usually write a section on just the children's center. This is that section. The children's center is my favorite place to spend time and because my home is next door to the children's center, I think that my home is becoming a favorite location to hangout. We have had birthday bashes with ice cream and movies. We have spent countless hours playing card games on my front porch and tag on the beach. I put up a hammock on my porch, and it is the new biggest hit. I have come home to kids waiting in the hammock for me, and just this morning I had five kiddos rotating in and out who was swinging.
On Wednesday, we have bible club. Bible club takes a lot of prep and is the most difficult thing I do all week. I love the challenge, but getting middle school boys to want to focus is more than a challenge. I get filled with so much excitement when I think about these boy’s potential. God has such big plans for them. My prayer for bible club is that even in the chaos God will use the time to speak to the boys, and that each of them will realize how special they are.
Other news! I went to Belize for a week to renew my visa. With the visa I am on I am only allowed to stay in Honduras for 3 months and then I have to leave for 4 days. After a week in Belize my visa was renewed. It was a nice break, but I missed the kids everyday. It was an exciting reunion when I got home! The energy level was through the roof!
Prayer Request and Praise
I will say it again. This is not an easy process but we serve an incredible God. I am so grateful that God provided the funds to bring new books into the classroom. God has also provided great friends that have helped me through this transition. Whether it has been helping me cook or letting me borrow their motorcycles while they are away. Finally, I praise God that He continually reveals Himself to me and keeps reminding me of His greatness.
Please be praying with me as I am trying to learn Spanish. There are many people that speak English here and it makes it hard to practice. I will always appreciate prayers for wisdom and direction on how to support the kids that I get to work with. Please be praying for my finances. God keeps providing and I keep trusting that He will provide. Options for giving include venmo, paypal and mail. The details for these are below.
Be praying for my strength as I am being obedient to a difficult call.I remember when I got the email with the job offer. The director of the school wrote in the letter “It will be the best and hardest job that you have ever loved. It will grow and stretch you and yes, God speaks to people here in a special way, especially when they come to listen.” This is so true. I love where I am at, but it is so so difficult. I have come to listen and God continues to blow my mind.
This is the comfort from God that I delight in today:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
