"The greatest of these is love"

Sometimes there are days when, for some reason, it seems like whether or not I try to be nice--I end up yelling at someone, run out of patience with a kid, or say something that I regret. Days like today--the very day after I was talking to God about this and asking him to help me act and speak in love to the kids. The love that I have for these kids is from God--they aren't my children, but God has laid a burden on my heart for them, and has called me here to show them his love, and invest in their lives. When I let my own human attitude and tendencies  override the power of God working in my life--I end up frustrated with my own human weaknesses and needing to remember that I am forgiven and redeemed by the grace and love of God, and not by my own actions or accomplishments. I can't minister to these kids through my own strength--but only after I first focus on God--and start to understand how he feels about me, and how He feels about each of them can I begin to truly minister to those around me. So, I continue to ask God to show me his love, and show me how to love the way that he loves me.

Love is patient,

   love is kind. 

      It does not envy, 

          it does not boast, 

             it is not proud.  

                 It is not rude, 

                      it is not self-seeking, 

                          it is not easily angered, 

                              it keeps no record of wrongs.  

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

       It always protects, 

              always trusts, 

                   always hopes, 

                       always perseveres. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Moving and other things

On Friday I took the Friday night group to a friend's house, from the Berea church. One of the kids who rarely goes to my house Friday nights had a birthday this week, so I decided to combine getting out and celebrating his birthday together in one. One of the guys took him to the house and we suprised him when he entered the house, it was fun, and a good opportunity for the kids also to interact with a few of the older youth from the Berea whom I had also invited.

Here in latino culture, and especially living here at the Finca, one never knows when someone will stop by and stay for an hour, or three. :-) It reminds me to keep trying to put relationships first. the agenda and list of things to do need to be laid aside as I try to focus on the person and what they are talking about, instead of figuring out if i'm going to do lesson plans or wash the dishes first after they leave.

I have moved! I am now getting settled into my "new" house. Many of the kids who have seen inside the house have commented that it looks alot nicer now that it is repainted--I agree--I certainly prefer light blue walls as opposed to yellow, crayon marked walls. :-) (And thanks to Harlan and children, and Keith and Sara, and Sidey for helping to paint the house.) So far this house doesn't seem to have as many spiders, or rats, or bats, as my former house--but it has more than its share of cockroaches and termites--slightly more tolerable critters in my mind for some reason.
Have a great day!
Peace!

Library

Monday through Thursday evenings I open the library for kids to read, play games, and do puzzles etc. I usually have around 15-20 kids in the library every evening, with many coming and going throughout the hour or hour and a half that I have it open..

Even though a library is supposed to be a quiet place, this library is rarely quiet. I'm usually pretty relaxed with them until someone screams...I do not tolerate yelling-it is too small of a room with too many kids for me to allow it. I believe that the library is a much better alternative to watching TV, so I'm glad to open it up and let kids come and go and play, and I get to interact with the kids then too--whether that be reading a book to a younger one, playing a game, or looking for a specific book for a homework assignment.

Reading books

Playing games

Hanging out

 

Doing puzzles

Have a great day! Peace!

Bible Study

This week for something a little different, and a change of scenery I took my Bible study groups over to the other finca and we sat in the shade of a tree for Bible study. It was nice to get out....especially since the kids who are in high school have had most of the week off of school because the teachers are on strike (I believe this happens almost every year. The government doesn't pay the teachers, and then the teachers go on strike.)

Some of the girls looking up verses about the characteristics of God and how He feels towards us.

Life

This weekend the Berean church here in Valle is celebrating their 30th anniversary. The Berea Church is where I attend youth group and church functions when my schedule permits. This weekend though I "needed" to attend because I was in charge of organizing two dramas with kids from the finca to perform in the service on Sunday.

The Berea church is about a stone's throw away from the house that I will be moving into this week....permitting that it's ready. Along with the help of others, I have been painting the house and a few more things, like windows, need to be fixed and it should be ready for me to move into in a few days....Honduran time. I will continue to live here on-site at the Finca, I will just be moving from "the mansion" (sarcasm included here) to "the baby house" (where the babies used to live a few years ago).

On Friday we celebrated "Dia del Indio" here at the Finca. We had a presentation by the different classes, and also a competition of the best-dressed Indio. Below is a picture of the contestants. I was selected to be one of the judges (even though I am a "gringo" and therefore wouldn't know what a native Indio looked like as I have not studied their history very much).

 

 Have a great day!
Peace!

Noticias

A little bit of serious.....
Sunday through Thursday nights I have devotions with a group of younger girls. I found a set of great books in the library that has Bible stories. I picked one that goes through Jesus' life and what he did and taught. I really like the book because it teaches the Bible stories, and includes some kind of connection for the kids to apply to their own lives, or makes God's redeeming love personal for them. I hope and pray that they are getting something out of it and that the Biblical stories and values are being instilled into their lives.
 

Some of the girls

Update on English classes....the classes are going really well. Even though it was a voluntary class to sign up for, I can sense which kids really want to learn English, and which ones aren't quite as dedicated. I think that within a few weeks the groups will lessen to just those who really want to learn...and then hopefully we will move faster (pending that I create inspiring lesson plans). I look forward to getting to the point where they can speak more English in class.

And a little bit of fun...
My housemate's birthday was today, so I decided to throw a mini party for her (yes ANOTHER party--parties mean work though for me because I have to go buy food, make food, clean etc). I made pizza and invited four other older girls over to enjoy supper and hang out. We had a blast taking pictures with all kinds of different expressions. (yea for my group of girls at home who inspired doing this!) It was hilarious. I will refrain from posting any of the silly ones so as to not embarrass anyone (including myself). It's encouraging when God gives me moments like this evening when I feel like I "fit in" and am just hanging out with a group of friends. I need to remember times like this when I'm feeling out of place, and not understanding the jokes and stories in Spanish that are being thrown around in a group--whether it be that I don't understand the language, or simply because we have a different sense of humor....

And here's one just for fun...

Peace!

Saturday night game night

In addition to game/hangout night every Friday night for the kids eighteen and older, I have started a new thing...and that is a once-a-month game/hangout night on Saturday for the kids 15-17 years old. All 16 kids of eligible age showed up at my house Saturday night around 7 and we played games and had a snack. They only stayed til 9, whereas my older group can stay til 10.... :-)

Playing games

Well, it's almost 8pm, so I should soon head up to house three to do devotions with the girls....Peace!