Posting about a few days together!
Saturday was a great day. The roommates and I went out to dinner at Claudias (a place we frequent, its yummy!) And then to one of the local churches that has a tower where you can see above Granada. Its one of the many Catholic churhes, and it was interesting, because I have never been inside of a a "real" Catholic church. It was nice getting to the top of the tower and getting to see the town from that view, and take pictures. Afterwards, we went to Charles and Sarah's house, the ones that run the ministry that I'm working with, watched a movie, and ate some dinner. It was a great day of fellowship, and enjoying the town that I now live in. (I think its finally hitting me that I -live- here)
It made me think a lot about contentment, thankfulness, and joy.
Striving to thank God for EVEYTHING. Finding Joy at all times, being content, and realizing its not this world that makes me happy but Him.
So yesterday I realized that even the things that I could be angry about, God can bless me with.
Thank God that the cockroaches that are in the house.... arent in my bed!
Thank God that the rain that will more then likely be here until I leave, will keep me cool.
Thank God for when the water is off for the majority of the day, I appreciate it that much more when its on!
Thank God that even though I'm so far from home, I am with a great group of people, that have shown great kindnesses to me.
Thank God for the miles that I walk daily, because I am able to, and feel the sun on my face.
Sunday we had church service, and it was the first "real" rain day. The town is completely different apparently when it rains. Much quieter, and not many people get out. But it was awesome to see many Nicas "brave" the rain and get out and we had a great service.
I absolutely love Nica church services, as I have said before, so much energy, dancing and completely concern for God, not anyone else. Different then America. Freedom in these churches. If you move from your seat, thats ok. If you dont clap in sync with the person next to you, thats ok to! I wish churches in America found this freedom. Its about Jesus, not how great the music sounds or what song is playing. I was definitely feeling Gods presence in that church. But with that being said, I found myself getting a little aggravated that I couldn't join in to. That I couldn't sing with everyone that was as excited. Then I realized that I was joining with them, that feeling Gods presence was being with Him, and with them. That when I go home, and sing praise songs in English, I'm going to sing at the top of my lungs (even though I ALWAYS would sing quietly, out of fear) just because I CAN.
Monday I worked in the Jicaro project pretty much all day. Spent some time in the Prayer House, and had Bible study with the ladies that I have made friends with here. Its awesome how I saw God teaching me things from every thing that I was a part of yesterday. I work with the pastors wife in the Jicaro Project, and she is an amazing lady. I'm learning a lot from her, patience, grace, and mostly, how to be who God made you. How to embrace, and refine what God has given you. She has these amazing talents that she has recognized, and grown, she has embraced who God made her to be, and she is such a beautiful person. After a long day working with Jicaro I spent a few hours in the Prayer House. Doing a lot of praying, seeking, asking, and crying out to God about something that I have been seeking for a while. God gave me some direction, and because He is so awesome.
At the Bible study, He gave me MORE. The Bible study is most of the time done in Spanish, but this time, it just happened to be all "Gringas" (us American girls) that showed up. :) My roommates mother is visiting and she lead us in a prayer, that is supposed to help you focus on God, be quiet, and hear from Him. We all had a moving time, and got to connect with each other And God gave me more direction on what I was seeking.
Today I went to the Granada dump again. Its different then the one in Managua, in a ... different way. Thats pretty much how to explain it. Same sadness though. Today was different to, my roommates dad was asked to share a message, and he shared a great passage. He shared about how the greatest commandment was Loving God, and others.
Mark 12:29-31
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no commandment greater than these.
The people make their living out of the garbage dump, finding things that can be sold. The ministry I am working with takes food once a week, and the Gospel. The trucks will come in filled with garbage, and the people work, finding what can be used. Because of this type of work, sometimes people will come in late when we are serving. The meals that we serve are sometimes the only meals that they will eat for that day. Today, there was one man that came in very late, after everything was already served, no food was left for us to give out. And someone else gave half their share to him.
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