"Where has the time gone?" seems the appropriate question to start with. It's hard to believe that in just a few days a year has gone by. As a family, we find ourselves content because of God's goodness to us this past year.
With the addition of little Jesus as well as David's most recent dog and yes a horse, we are becoming more and more settled in Mexico. It has become home and the many visits from church family have made it easier to transition. It has become apparent to me that my oldest son David has little to no desire to return to the states with the exception of running errands to the states with his "compadre" Julian. Tyler, my youngest, seems to enjoy the benefits of living here, but reserves the right to return to live in the states. All in all, it seems that God continues to bless here beyond our wildest dreams.
It is with great anticipation that I look forward to this next year serving here at Door of Faith. I've learned much of God's faithfulness in provision and encouragement here. I still hold to the belief that if you simple make yourself available to God's purposes, He takes care of all the details. I've seen it over and over again in this past year. I'm learning to trust Him in even greater ways the longer we are here. For this, I am so very thankful.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Seek First to Understand
Life has been a little bit crazy here. Well, at the least I would say that life has "kept me on my toes." Due to some "behavioral" issues with little Jesus, I've removed the door of our bedroom and taken the doorknob off of the bathroom door. The "party manners" are over and the testing time has come. It's time to show unconditional love and break the thoughts of certain behavior guaranteeing rejection.
Although it's not everyday or all day, Jesus is on his second type of medication to help him fight against every impulse that pops into his mind. I haven't been too impressed with the new medicine. We switched to a time released medication, that in theory sounded better, but in my opinion it still is not a fit.
Yesterday, Jesus ran out of his meds, that were helping a little bit. He was having a very difficult day that progressed to me taking him to the Mexican directors for a time out. Very scary for Jesus. He knew this was very serious.
Unfortunately, my Spanish is still a work in progress and through a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation I began to understand that it appeared to the Mexican Directors that I was in over my head and was "throwing in the towel", when what I was trying to communicate was "can Jesus stay with you for a little while so I can finish up something I started with some other kids." After meeting with the directors, for what seemed like an eternity, a very bad potential outcome turned around and a small bridge was built in communication and appreciation.
What I'm trying to say is that yesterday, because of a miscommunication and a misunderstanding, Jesus was almost removed from my care and was possibly facing moving to another orphanage. Thank God for his grace in the situation.
Today, Jesus is happy and behaving. I can see him struggling to fight his impulsive behavior, but overall he's doing great.
Although it's not everyday or all day, Jesus is on his second type of medication to help him fight against every impulse that pops into his mind. I haven't been too impressed with the new medicine. We switched to a time released medication, that in theory sounded better, but in my opinion it still is not a fit.
Yesterday, Jesus ran out of his meds, that were helping a little bit. He was having a very difficult day that progressed to me taking him to the Mexican directors for a time out. Very scary for Jesus. He knew this was very serious.
Unfortunately, my Spanish is still a work in progress and through a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation I began to understand that it appeared to the Mexican Directors that I was in over my head and was "throwing in the towel", when what I was trying to communicate was "can Jesus stay with you for a little while so I can finish up something I started with some other kids." After meeting with the directors, for what seemed like an eternity, a very bad potential outcome turned around and a small bridge was built in communication and appreciation.
What I'm trying to say is that yesterday, because of a miscommunication and a misunderstanding, Jesus was almost removed from my care and was possibly facing moving to another orphanage. Thank God for his grace in the situation.
Today, Jesus is happy and behaving. I can see him struggling to fight his impulsive behavior, but overall he's doing great.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friends in Pain
Lately, I've been praying for two friends that are in chronic pain. It's hard to find ways to encourage people, when I have absolutely no idea of what they are experiencing in the area of pain. It's awkward not being able to take away their pain by some special prayer. Knowing and believing that God could take it all away if He chose to and not understanding why He hasn't.
I hear of people telling them things from "just confess that they are healed to ask God to forgive you." It breaks my heart to think that that is a way to "minister" the love and compassion of Jesus. It's teaching me a lot on how well do I understand scripture and a lot about this journey of faith.
I caught myself saying today, "I would make your pain go away if I could." I thought about that statement. Even though it sounds compassionate, am I coming across like I know better than God? God could take the pain away and yet He has not. Who am I to say I would take it away if I could?
We are so quick to seek instant gratification; even if for someone else. Is this right as a believer? I am starting to pray that God would get the most glory out of these situations. I am reminded of the blind man in scripture that had people guessing that he had sinned, or that his parents had sinned. That was the reason he was blind.
Why do we have to have all the answers. Does it show more faith when we provide answers or when we still trust God even though we may never have the answers? We are still living on earth as foreigners. If heaven is our home and one of it's rewards is a glorified body. Another no more sickness or pain. Shouldn't we all the more looking forward to heaven instead of focusing on being comfortable down here?
I believe it was Franny Crosby that was asked about her blindness since birth . Her response was beautiful. It was something like,"Why should I be sad about my blindness when the first thing my eyes will ever behold will be my blessed Savior."
I hear of people telling them things from "just confess that they are healed to ask God to forgive you." It breaks my heart to think that that is a way to "minister" the love and compassion of Jesus. It's teaching me a lot on how well do I understand scripture and a lot about this journey of faith.
I caught myself saying today, "I would make your pain go away if I could." I thought about that statement. Even though it sounds compassionate, am I coming across like I know better than God? God could take the pain away and yet He has not. Who am I to say I would take it away if I could?
We are so quick to seek instant gratification; even if for someone else. Is this right as a believer? I am starting to pray that God would get the most glory out of these situations. I am reminded of the blind man in scripture that had people guessing that he had sinned, or that his parents had sinned. That was the reason he was blind.
Why do we have to have all the answers. Does it show more faith when we provide answers or when we still trust God even though we may never have the answers? We are still living on earth as foreigners. If heaven is our home and one of it's rewards is a glorified body. Another no more sickness or pain. Shouldn't we all the more looking forward to heaven instead of focusing on being comfortable down here?
I believe it was Franny Crosby that was asked about her blindness since birth . Her response was beautiful. It was something like,"Why should I be sad about my blindness when the first thing my eyes will ever behold will be my blessed Savior."
Friday, June 11, 2010
Schools in Baja
(FIRST THINGS FIRST, thank you to all that are reading my blog and to those of you who are sending us support. Your timing in giving is perfect and much appreciated especially in this difficult economy. It brings me to tears to know that you are mindful of our needs and are praying for us and supporting us financially. We really could not stay here without your support. God Bless you.)
The school system is very different here in Baja. It closes down for rainy days and cancels class time for full days dedicated to the celebration of children, Mothers and other various celebrations.
Yesterday, the circus came to town, so school was only for 2 hours so the children could enjoy the circus. Here at the orphanage, the children stayed back because funding about 80 children for circus rides is a expensive.
Today, Mexico is playing Italy in a soccer game. People are staying home to watch the game. Older students, do not have school so they can watch the game. It all seems so strange and yet it's interesting to see how people here enjoy life as it comes instead of putting off celebration and coming together when they've finally finished their goals and plans. I rarely see any "putting off" here.
I also visited Jesus' class at school the other day. What an eye opener. His classroom was very humble in appearance. Simply put it was a concrete room with one door and a couple of windows. No tile on the floor, just concrete. 30 or more unmatched, old desks for the children and a desk in front for the teacher. The teacher has no aide to help her, and I saw no visual aides on the walls. It didn't strike me as a very happy place to learn.
I went to Jesus' class to see if I could observe what a day in school in Mexico was like. I took a friend to help me translate. I was introduced to the teacher as Jesus' mother and the teacher was asked if I could observe Jesus in the classroom setting. I was quickly told "No." I was told that he would behave well if I was in the classroom. I think the teacher was trying to say it would make things worse for her when I wasn't there and that Jesus needed to behave without me being in the classroom. She proceeded to vent her frustrations with him in front of the entire class and made it clear to everyone that if Jesus would behave then they would have a good class. I could tell my presence was making things worse so I quickly opted to come back a little later when the teacher said I could meet with her.
When I met with the teacher later, the situation had completely turned a "180". I apologized to her and told her that I felt I had offended her. I told her that I had great appreciation for her position and only wanted to see how I could help her or Jesus in the classroom setting. She told me that she had not been offended and seemed quite surprised that I felt I needed to apologize. Nevertheless, we had a good conversation and a tiny bridge was built between Jesus' teacher and myself.
The school system is very different here in Baja. It closes down for rainy days and cancels class time for full days dedicated to the celebration of children, Mothers and other various celebrations.
Yesterday, the circus came to town, so school was only for 2 hours so the children could enjoy the circus. Here at the orphanage, the children stayed back because funding about 80 children for circus rides is a expensive.
Today, Mexico is playing Italy in a soccer game. People are staying home to watch the game. Older students, do not have school so they can watch the game. It all seems so strange and yet it's interesting to see how people here enjoy life as it comes instead of putting off celebration and coming together when they've finally finished their goals and plans. I rarely see any "putting off" here.
I also visited Jesus' class at school the other day. What an eye opener. His classroom was very humble in appearance. Simply put it was a concrete room with one door and a couple of windows. No tile on the floor, just concrete. 30 or more unmatched, old desks for the children and a desk in front for the teacher. The teacher has no aide to help her, and I saw no visual aides on the walls. It didn't strike me as a very happy place to learn.
I went to Jesus' class to see if I could observe what a day in school in Mexico was like. I took a friend to help me translate. I was introduced to the teacher as Jesus' mother and the teacher was asked if I could observe Jesus in the classroom setting. I was quickly told "No." I was told that he would behave well if I was in the classroom. I think the teacher was trying to say it would make things worse for her when I wasn't there and that Jesus needed to behave without me being in the classroom. She proceeded to vent her frustrations with him in front of the entire class and made it clear to everyone that if Jesus would behave then they would have a good class. I could tell my presence was making things worse so I quickly opted to come back a little later when the teacher said I could meet with her.
When I met with the teacher later, the situation had completely turned a "180". I apologized to her and told her that I felt I had offended her. I told her that I had great appreciation for her position and only wanted to see how I could help her or Jesus in the classroom setting. She told me that she had not been offended and seemed quite surprised that I felt I needed to apologize. Nevertheless, we had a good conversation and a tiny bridge was built between Jesus' teacher and myself.
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