I'm thankful to actually be awake earlier this morning to write some things down. The past few days have been quite different than my routine before, and time has been going faster and slower at the same time. I have a lot of things on my plate today that I'm trying not to let overwhelm me, but for now, I feel moved to write.
Tamara and her family left the house this Monday to go to the States for a month. Thankfully, everything worked out for Milagros to go with them. Since then, Patzy, Tamara's beloved housekeeper, and her son and little sister have been staying here at the house with me. We all sleep in the same room; so I've been having to go to bed around 9 or 9:30 at night :-) It's been fun to feel like I'm apart of a little Nicaraguan family.
My projects and activities are changing day by day, but that's just the beauty of God leading me in this life. This past Tuesday and Thursday, I have been teaching Spanish to a fellow missionary friend that works with the Methodist mission organization, El Ayudante. It's been a good and rewarding experience to help someone else communicate in a language that opens up more opportunities to minister in this country. Unfortunately, she is leaving Monday for a couple of weeks, but we plan on keeping in contact and meeting together when she gets back.
Wednesday, I was invited to attend a retreat for pastors' wives and missionaries that was hosted by another mission organization called Reposo Divino (Divine Resting Place). The purpose of the organization is to support women in ministry and provide for them a place to rest in the Lord. The retreat was so wonderful and refreshing. A few ladies from a church in Pennsylvania encouraged us with the Word and prayed over us. After a wonderful lunch, we were pampered with hand, feet, shoulder, and back massages and received a beautiful "anointing" and personal prayer by the women. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and being able to sit down and talk to the sweet Nicaraguan pastors' wives or church leaders, who are so beautiful and humble and full of the love of the Lord. It was like a little piece of heaven.
I've been having some more quality time with my close friends here. My friend Raquel and I have hung out a couple of days this week, which hasn't been that frequent since August. Yesterday, another friend Adriana, Raquel, and I had a Bible study over Luke/Matthew; we read and talked about the birth of Christ. Then, we went to see Lissette, the girl that lives on the street.
I have talked about Lissette in other posts, and I believe that God has placed her in my path for a purpose. It's so hard, though, to know and discern how to interact with her and where boundaries should be drawn. I know she doesn't always tell the truth, she huffs glue, and I worry about what she might be doing to herself to get money. At least a lady in a park close by has given her a job by helping sell toys for Christmas, but it doesn't pay a lot. She always asks me for money, but I don't give it to her because I fear that she will use it to buy glue. According to her, she's had offers from some people to live in their houses and get off the street, but she never takes up their offer. It's like she doesn't want things to change, and I don't know what to do to help her see that there's a better way to live. I know Jesus does, though, and I just have to ask and trust Him to give me discernment. Please pray for her though, and for those of us working with her so that we represent Christ in the best way to her.
Today, I need to plan for my 4 English class that a teach at the University and make a midterm exam for next week. This evening, Adriana, Lissette, Luis and I are going to a special church service that they are having in the theater here in Leon. Praying that God will work in many ways there.
Well, I always have more to write, but I should go eat breakfast now. Thank you for reading and praying. May God bless you and watch over you.
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