Sunday, February 21, 2010

I have been struggling lately with feeling down and then that spirals in old struggles of my life coming back...Through it all I am having a hard time getting excited about anything. This morning I heard a great sermon about perseverance that helped put things in perspective again. In Hebrews 12: 1-3 it talks about running our race with perseverance and fixing our eyes on Jesus so we don't grow weary and lose heart. Pastor Greg defined perseverance as courage stretched out. When ministry is hard we are to think of Jesus and remember his example and reward. He persevered because of the joy he was looking forward to. My joy here is to some day stand before the Lord and hear him say 'well done', to see lives transformed here in Monterrey, and having the hope of being at the right hand of God.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Family Visit

I am so thankful to have a family who loves Jesus and understands why I serve. This past week I was blessed to have my dad, mom, aunt Marie, and uncle Harold take time out of their lives to come down and spend time with me. It was the first time for Marie and Harold and second for my parents. They had to be flexible, and definitely were, as they stayed in a dorm, had new experience and new food, and dealt with cold. We got to visit some Childrens' Homes together and Saturday we went to a poverty area and did crafts with the kids, served a meal, and saw what life is like for those with less. They got to see my school and my life and I was so glad to have them here!

Having dinner on Valentine's Day!!

Cutting out hearts on the way to the Rio

Mom serving peaches to the children

Marie playing play-do with the children

Dad and Harold putting on a door

Mom, reading to my class



At Cola de Caballo waterfall

Saturday, February 6, 2010

compassion

Like my pastor always says "hurt people, hurt people'...Jesus used compassion to heal...Where there is no compassion, there will be no change. "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them..." Mark 6:34 (also Matt. 9:36, Matt.14;14, Mark 1:41) We see a lot of hurt people, especially the children. Actually everyone has a little bit of damage but I want to make sure I always respond with compassion. When I am loving on the children in my class or in an orphanage, I am building their future and also maybe building the house I may have to live in. When I am with the teens on our campus, I need to remember that you can't expect a hurt lion to jump through hoops but we can love them unconditionally. Lord I pray for walls to be broken down and for healing to occur. That they may climb into your arms and just let you hold them!