Shelby and I sang in church a couple weeks ago. We performed a song in English ("Your Great Name") but not before I broke the piano stool and wiped out in front of the congregation.
Two more interns came to El Sembrador for the summer. Ryan will be working on the farm, and Steven in the English classes in the high school. They have already been a great addition to the El Sembrador team, and I know God will use them in big ways.
We were invited to go to a church service one evening at a drug rehab center. All of the churches in the surrounding town were invited to come and participate in the service through song, dance, and preaching. It was a great night, and was inspiring to witness such diverse churches coming together to lift up their brothers who were recovering from addiction.
Enoch's daughter Tatiana finally came home from the hospital! If you remember, she broke her leg and had surgery the day that I got here, which was four and a half weeks ago. She is still in a cast and has to stay in bed for another six weeks. This has been a difficult time for their family, so it is such a blessing that they are all back home together. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her, and please continue to be in prayer for her healing.
A mission team came last week and did a lot of great things around El Sembrador, including VBS, dental and medical work, and a mural inside the boy's dorm. I helped interpret for Bible School and met some of the most precious kids in the world. They were so excited to get to know us and learn about God. We had a competition every day to see if the kids could recite the memory verse, and it blew me away every time how many kids ran up to the front to recite it.
Don't worry, we have had plenty of fiestas, including a good-bye dinner for Rhonda Harmless (a newly retired missionary), a surprise birthday party for Enoch, a tie-dye party with the boys, and a farewell party for Leah, the first intern to leave El Sembrador this summer. Although I only have a few days left here, we still have a few more parties planned yet!
We had a chance to volunteer at some English classes in Catacamas, the town where El Sembrador is. To be honest I never really wanted to go; I have so many people I love in El Sembrador, and I didn't want to leave and take time away from them. But I have realized what a blessing it has been for us and for the people we are helping. Not everyone in the English classes were Christian, so when they began asking us the simple questions of "Why are you here?" "What are you doing?" we were able to share with them about the work we are doing here for God. Tonight we were invited to one of the student's houses (for a party of course) and we talked about everything, from politics to my call as a missionary to which country in Latin America spoke the best Spanish (the final decision was Honduras-I think I will stay neutral). I hope these last few weeks have been a good witness to these students.
I think the most exciting news I want to share with you is that one of my best friends just got sponsored by two women who were on the mission team last week! I was able to be there when they met for the first time-it was one of the most beautiful moments in my life. Nefy is such a great kid, and this is his first year in El Sembrador. He is in 10th grade, and has a huge heart for God. I thank God for people who are willing to invest in people like Nefy, and for people like Nefy, who are such a light for God. This world is filled with amazing people that are so worth getting to know. I hope everyone is taking the time to get to know the beautiful people around them.
I leave here on Monday, and while it will be hard just like always, I know I have work to do when I get home. I am moving to the Dominican Republic in about 10 months, and there is plenty to prepare for before I leave! Thank you for all the prayers and support, and please continue praying for the two ministries that have captured my heart forever-the students and staff at El Sembrador, and the people in the Dominican Republic that are served by the Least of These Ministries. And never forget how much God continues to move all around the world.
Wow! You've had a busy time just since graduating a few weeks ago! Amazing to hear all that God is doing, and how He continues to teach you. Looking forward to seeing you next week! I love you!
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