Perfect Love
UPDATE!
What I am learning
Several weeks ago during one of our Bible lessons my eye was drawn to this necklace. I instantly was blown away by its detail and its intricate design. My mind wondered where it had come from and who had given it to this little boy. Was it a gift or was it something passed down through his family? Where had it come from, and why was this the first time I noticed it? It was then at recess when I started asking him questions about it. I asked lots of questions, but did not really learn anything. The next day is when this little boy came up to me and placed the necklace in my hand. Of course I did not accept the gift of the necklace, but I was encouraged by the love shown by this student. This sweet interaction made me step back and find rest in the love of God. This heart and the offering of this necklace made me reflect again on the love of God. What a time to reflect on this, because perfect love cast out all fear. God’s love is perfect. God's love is intricate. In every aspect of our life we can step back and recognize the love of God. It is a love that we do not deserve. I thank God for this love, and that we have nothing to fear in this time of uncertainty because our Father has got us in the palm of his hands.
Friends and Family
I had a newsletter started and had all of these updates to share (I still do have a lot to share) but in one weekend my update changed drastically. Before I get into all that is changed I want to tell you how God worked in the last month. My schedule changed and I was able to meet the needs of more specific students. I saw God work in classrooms and increase students' confidence and lower their anxiety. Confidence in the Lord was increased right before my eyes. The bus became an area of extreme growth for me. I had to seek God for wisdom on how to deal with half of the student body on one bus. The details got worked out for a second Bible study group. This consists of 4 to 7 boys from the school. A very unique opportunity to share discipline and share the gospel. At home my life continues to be upbeat and constantly full of new adventures and challenges. My bible club boys still continue to memorize verses and blow me away by their faith. We have been spending a lot of time in prayer and talking about how we have seen God answer our prayers. I can’t believe what relationships God has allowed to form in such a short time.
With all that said, last weekend life here really changed, as it did for many people around the world. Action was taken very early to try and prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Nationwide mandates closed all public and private schools and universities. The exact date that we will be going back to school is unsure. Because we don’t want to lose this time, the teachers have taken quick action to make videos and send them to students that have access to technology. I have also become a homeschool teacher as I am daily helping our kindergartener at the children's home. I am practicing social distancing with all people outside of the children home community. For the sake of those in our home with compromised immune systems we have to be proactive, and try to stay within the rules and regulations recently set to combat the spread of the virus so recently I haven’t physically interacted with anyone outside of our Children’s Home property.
This all has changed a lot of my plans and dreams for the last few weeks of the school year. In just 10 weeks my first commitment to the school will be over. I am sad about not being able to be at school and not being able to lead our new Bible study. I have to remember that God’s plan for my life and this time is better than I can imagine. I have to trust Him and be willing to let him use me wherever I am placed, even if I feel like I’m stuck there.
I am making the best of my situation by offering my time to serve in any way that I can. We have covered my porch with puzzles, and we had some water wars with water balloons and a slip-in-slide. I’ve helped set up birthday parties, watched movies, taken kids to the beach, taught a Sunday school class.
Prayers and Praises
Among many praises, I am forever praising God for this experience and will continue to praise Him. Praise God for the beauty within His grace. Finally, praise God for a longing more now than ever to be in His presence. What a time to be alive, and what a time to grow closer to God.
Please be praying with me…
The kids. That they will continue to grow in knowledge and love of God.
For Honduras and the officials that are making decisions to prevent the spread of this virus.
The teachers (including me) as we work to do what is best for our kids while they are at home.
that God gives me wisdom with every interaction I have with the kids.
that I continue to learn the language to be able to communicate better.
Finally, please be praying for my finances. God keeps providing and I keep trusting that He will provide. Please consider giving! Options for giving include venmo, paypal and mail. The details for these are below.
With my seventh grade boys we start our mornings with prayer and say three blessings that we are grateful for. There is no better time than this to count our blessings. We have so much to be grateful for, even when it's hard to see. Today, I am thankful for God's never ending love. I am thankful for the work that God does that we do not see, and I am thankful for Jesus’ death and resurrection. My house is built upon the Rock. If you’re reading this and you don’t know what I mean by that please reach out! I’d love to talk with you about it!
Meditating on this truth:
“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear…” 1 John 4:18
Thank you
Chase Gray