everything changes.

everything changes when numbers become names and statistics become faces. when you have held their hands and seen their scars. when you have heard their stories and dried their tears. when you have hugged their necks and listened to their hearts. when you have seen the pain in their eyes, yet hear the unshakeable joy in their laughter. when they have lived pain, but choose freedom and hope in a Savior. everything changes when you have lived life with them, seen them grow up, and truly loved them. when you witness injustice and love the victims, everything changes. and you will never be the same.

every broken dream. every shattered heart. every tear shed. all of it used. nothing wasted. for His glory. for our good. this is why we have breath.

we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. -hebrews 6:19

So very grateful.

"I have a shelter in the storm, when troubles pour upon me.  Though fears are rising like a flood, my soul can rest securely.  O Jesus, I will hide in You, my place of peace and solace.  No trial is deeper than Your love, that comforts all my sorrows."

As usual, it has been far too long since I have blogged.  I'm going to write a real blog soon on my last few months in Nicaragua, but for now, here are some of my thoughts...

I have been back in the States since October and yet again, to say that the transition has been easy would be a lie.  In fact, it has been very tough and at times utterly heart wrenching.  While I try not to show that, it's the truth.  I live in a society where I just feel that I really don't fit in.  But being here has made me even more grateful for my time in Nicaragua.  The times of communion so deep with my Savior.  To have had the opportunity to live real life.  Sweaty, sometimes smelly, dirty real life.  Covered in dust, but so full of joy.  Loving on kids who feel no love.  Learning more and more about the deep heart and incredible love of our Father.  And feeling His presence so deeply.  So fully.  Going to the dump where the stench is strong, but His love is so much stronger.  Talking with a lady so close to death and in so much pain and praying with her.  Lifting her up to our Healer and us both feeling His peace.  Seeing His grace in every day life so clearly.  So richly.  Witnessing His faithfulness in the big things.  And in the little things.  Being able to live a life where He is so ever near and provides.  I am grateful for the good and I am grateful for the tough.  The tough when there are no words.  The hardness when it just doesn't make sense.  With the good and the bad, I will choose to praise.  Through all of this, I know what real life is like and I can't pretend that I don't know.  I know that living a life not serving others is really no way to live a life at all.  That living a life to make much of myself will always leave me empty.  That living a life too rushed to spend time with my Maker just isn't full enough.  I know that chasing material things and distractions will only be disappointing.  I know that only in Him are we truly satisfied.  That furthering His Kingdom is what we are here for.  That in Him we are made whole.  And as I am here for this time, He is teaching.  And I am learning.  He is so patient and so very kind.  He is the same there and He is the same here.  Sometimes I just have to look a little closer, a little harder, but He is always the same.  So full of grace.  So full of mercy.  So full of compassion.  And so full of love.


Draw near to God, and He will draw to near to you. -James 4:8

And for that, I am grateful.

May Your Wonders Never Cease

May Your Wonders Never Cease

This is a blog of my thoughts and heart as of currently. I won't have time to revise or most likely even reread, as my flight is about to leave, so please read with grace:)

But He said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's Power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

As I sit here, the tears come, and I try to hold them back, but then I let them fall freely. And my heart, my heart, how it hurts, but also is filled with excitement. There is such a mix of emotions with going back to the States. I am grateful that for this time, it is just to visit for a couple weeks. My heart is not yet ready for anything else. I am excited for the sweet reunions with amazing family and friends, but also sad to be leaving the people, the people who have become my family. And to be leaving the place, the place that has become my home. And the place that has become so written on and cherished in my heart.

The only thing that counts is Faith expressing itself through Love. –Galatians 5:6

Devote yourselves to prayer; being watchful and thankful. –Colossians 4:2

I am grateful for these hours at the airport. The time to think; the time to ponder; the time to pray; the time to be silent; the time to reflect; the time to journal; the time to process my thoughts that are sometimes so hard to process in the moment; the time to think about what I have learned, what I have been taught, the time to feel and remember the moments, whether they seemed important at the time or not. The time to be grateful, thankful, and blessed. G r a t e f u l. T h a n k f u l. B l e s s e d. The time here, it's been incredible; it's been painful; it's been joyful; it's been heart wrenching, there have been days when I just want to give up, but oh, how it's been rich. So very rich. And the things I have learned. The times I wouldn't change for anything in the world. The times more precious than gold or anything that money could buy. The days where He is so near and comforts my soul. The days where I feel so alone. The days where I am filled with incredible happiness. And the days where I cry out to Him. And the joy through every. single. moment.

You have made known to me the path of Life; You will fill me with Joy in Your Presence with eternal pleasures at Your Right Hand. –Psalm 16:11

For you were once in darkness, but now you are in the Light of the Lord. Live as children of Light. –Ephesians 5:8

The past few weeks have been incredible. Ironic how sometimes you don't learn to completely appreciate things, until you know you will be leaving. My days at the dump; my time and teaching with the kids at the train station; the work at The Jicaro Project, endless hours of picking out colors for necklaces and painting ornaments, my conversations and relationships with my sweet friends; the pouring out of my heart into these people, and the pouring of them into me as well; the time I have spent cleaning and spending time with the people at Home of the Ancients; the incredible women in my small group and the things we have talked about; our conversations; the people I get to serve with; living in an incredible community. I could literally go on and on and on and list for pages and pages…

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. -1 Peter 4:8

I was down at the train station the other day, and after reading some Bible Stories, we started coloring and the kids all started drawing me pictures and writing me letters saying things such Jesus loves you and me; you are like my mother or big sister; I love you with all my heart; you are amazing and beautiful; thank you for loving me. And I think of me, unworthy, and how God has chosen me to love these children and show them His Love, His Mercy; His Faithfulness, His Word. Talk about humbling. Little unworthy and sinful me, but made perfect in Him. Mmm, the process, it's been tough, but it's so rich and so good. So, so, so good.

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands to Your Most Holy Place. –Psalm 28:2

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning! –Psalm 30:5

There's a family down at the train station that captured my heart over 2 years ago and has been continuing to capture it ever since. There are 4 children in the family; Maria 13 years old, Joseling 11 years old, Aniansy 9 years old, and Manuel 7 years old. I can't go into too many details, but their lives are s.o.o.o. hard, and the fact that I get to spend time with them and teach them about Jesus is such a rich blessing.

Therefore we do not lose our heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. -2 Corinthians 4:16

This incredible and strong girl named Maria, who is only 13 years old, is one of the most amazing children I have ever met. Her heart is pure as gold and she serves her family constantly, without a complaint ever coming from her mouth. Her parents both work, and she cooks and she cleans, and takes care of her younger siblings. If I loved her anymore, my heart would burst.

This playful girl in the neighborhood at El Puente, named Fernanda. Oh, Fernanda. Some days she hates me and some days she loves me. Sometimes she's an angel, and others, well, other days she's…not. Ha:) The letters I have from her are incredible. I see how she acts sometimes and I realize how she just wants to know that she is loved. And I realize that we, as people, are no different from her. We all want to know that we are loved, that we matter, that we are cared for, that we are important, that someone would be willing to die for us.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of the darkness, made His Light shine out of the darkness, made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ. -2 Corinthians 4:6

My days at Home of the Ancients, sweeping and mopping and dusting and cleaning and cooking and changing sheets and helping dress wounds and helping them go to the bathroom and washing rags and mops and clothes and listening to their stories and hearing about their life growing up and their children and the things they have experienced, and doing all these "ordinary" things, but how they are so extraordinary to me and how I get this incredible and inexpressible joy from serving these people and serving Him and working with Him, alongside Him to show them His Love. And that this joy is given to me by my Father. And that His Grace is more than enough.

The goal of this command is LOVE, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. -1 Timothy 1:5

My mornings of going to the dump and feeding hungry stomachs, but also feeding hungry souls and empty hearts with His word and His message and His Love and His Goodness and His Grace.


Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. -1 Corinthians 10:24

And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God. –Philippians 1:9-11

My days at Jicaro, picking out colors for necklaces and working with the women, approving jicaro and working with the youth, painting ornaments, fellowshipping, helping provide jobs for these people, being a little part of His bigger purpose and plan for these people's lives.

My nights playing soccer with the kids and my neighbors and just having conversations and hearing their hearts and their stories. Just listening to them talk and hearing about their days and what happened. It is such a sweet time and I will miss it an insane amount.

I have a beautiful friend named Ingrid (Een-gree) who is my next door neighbor. She is 11 years old and she has taught me so much. I love her, but oh man, can she get on my nerves sometimes. She has taught me so much about patience, forgiveness, and love. I, and my wonderful housemate, Jacque, have been trying to teach her how to treat people and how to act in a good and Christ like way, which I've learned is harder than I thought. I know that how sometimes she looks to me is exactly what I look like to God. She gets angry at me, mocks me, calls me ugly, tells me I'm a liar, calls me fat, tells me I'm bad, tells me she doesn't like me anymore. She always comes back and apologizes, and I forgive her again and again. The other day after Bible Study I had to work on some things for Jicaro, so I couldn't play with her, and she got so mad at me. Probably the angriest she's ever been with me. I told her I was really sorry, but that I had to work, and that we could play later. If her eyes and looks could kill, I would be dead. That afternoon she rode her bike all the way to find me and said that she was so sorry and her heart was hurting, because she knew she had hurt me and was really mean and had treated me wrong. Melt. My. Heart. It was absolutely precious. She told me she loved me and was so sorry and didn't want to be like that anymore. Granted, other things have happened since then, but there was progress! And for that, I am thankful. Thank you, Lord, for giving me grace to teach her and love her. By the way, I've only been gone a few hours and I already miss her so much!

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." –Matthew 18:21-22

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen. –Ephesians 4:29

A sweet story to me:) I'll try to make it short and understandable! The other day I went to "Los Pipitos" which is a special needs school in Granada. I love going there! BUT last summer, I used to work with Corazon Contento, another special needs school, that now doesn't accept volunteers. I so missed the kids I used to work with there! Sooo, the other day I walked into Los Pipitos, and Alberto, one of my favorite kids at Corazon was there, who has now switched schools (yes!), and he immediately saw me when I walked in the door and jumped up, had the biggest smile on his face, was saying yay yay yay, and came up gave me the biggest and longest hug. It made my day to be able to see him again AND the fact that he still remembered me after almost a year! God is so good!!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? –Matthew 6:27

So with a heart that is not sure how it feels right now, I am reminded that He is My Peace, and in Him, everything is going to be okay, and I need not to worry.

For He Himself is our Peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. –Ephesians 2:14

All of this being said, I am still sooo excited to be back in the States and to have some time with my incredible family and friends!

I will probably not have the chance to blog when I'm in the States, but I will see you all on here when I get backJ Much love.

Serving Passionately for our King,

Berk-Leigh

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. –Philippians 3:7

Give Thanks.

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Nicaragua! =)

I cannot believe that it is May already! Time seems to literally be flying by here. My four month mark of living in Nicaragua is approaching very rapidly and I just can't believe it. I hope and pray that everything is going amazing for everyone in the States, that God is teaching you more and more as you serve and live for Him, and that you are drawing closer to Him. I think you all need to start blogs also, so I can keep updated on your lives too! Just a thought:)

Here in Nicaragua it has been hot! And when I say hot, I mean at least in the 100's everyday. The rainy season is fast approaching, and for that I am grateful! Here at the mission base, we just ended our spring season of teams. We had a lot of short term teams here in March and April, and I had the opportunity to work with almost all of them. I met some really awesome people and thoroughly enjoyed having the teams here to do ministry with. While they were here, we did many of the same activities I'm involved in on a normal basis, like going to the train station, the dump, Home of the Ancient's, the girl's orphanage, The Jicaro Project, etc. The teams all had wonderful times while they were here, and I was really glad I could help prepare for their time here and go around and do ministry with them.

I mentioned this briefly in my last blog, but something else I have been heavily involved the past couple months is planning the 3^rd annual Vida Joven 5k Fun Fun. I have been attending meetings each week, doing lots of planning and preparations, and going around to local businesses to try and get them to financially support the event and Vida Joven in Granada. The race is this Saturday, May 7^th, and if you want to make a donation, you can do so here à
www.5kgranada.blogspot.com. You can read more about what Vida Joven, known as Young Life in the States, does on the website, but here is some of the major information. "Vida Joven, a Young Life International youth club, is dedicated to raising up teens from some of the poorest barrios in Granada. Over 100 youth participate in events throughout the week, finding alternatives to gangs and drugs. To reach teens more personally, Vida Joven youth not only go to Club each week but also attend 10 camps throughout the year, inviting newcomers to find out more about a personal relationship with Christ."

Something else that I have just started doing is a weekly ministry down at the train station, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Granada. I tend to go down there a lot to do ministry, but now I have an official day to do ministry down there, and I will in charge of planning specific things to do with the kids while there. I will be going to the train station every Wednesday after Bible Study and teaching a Bible story and doing some other activities and games. I'm really excited for this to start happening and for the kids to learn more about Jesus and the Bible, to feel loved, and to know that they are important.

We had children's church last Sunday and I worked with the 3-7 years olds. It was so fun! We taught them about Genesis, Adam and Eve's relationship with God, and how the Garden was perfect. We really tried to emphasize how everything was perfect with God, until the first sin, which caused our separation from God. We had a big white piece of paper and all the kids got to draw what they thought the perfect garden was like. We read and explained the story and it was really neat to see their drawings and hear their questions. Afterwards, we played eye spy and duck, duck, goose. I'm pretty sure I got picked at least every other time, so, needless to say, I ran around the circle at least 50 times haha, but it was really fun! I'm really loving and am so thankful for the opportunity to help with children's church and teach the kids more about the Bible.

If you want to hear about what Semana Santa, "Holy Week", was like here, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to share!

Thank you to everyone who has sent me letters, e-mails, and encouragement. I so cherish your words and am so grateful you took the time to write.

That's about it for what's new around here. If you have any questions about anything specifically, want to hear more stories, or just anything at all, please feel free to email me at berkleigh.eph52@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you! You all are in my prayers!!

If you want to read what God has been teaching me…read on:)

"I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free." –Psalm 119:32

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him." –Psalm 62:1

"You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in Your providence watched over my spirit. –Job 10:12

"Rejoice in the Lord
always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4

These scriptures may all seem jumbled together and not make sense, but God has been using these to teach me more about Himself.

God is teaching me so much lately and one of the big things is joy. Joy. Joy in everything.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." –James 1:2

He is teaching me to have joy and to appreciate every one of His gifts, whether it seems like a gift at the time or not.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." –Romans 8:28

He promises us that He will work EVERYTHING, not some things, but every little
thing, for our good. So who I am to say if something that has happened is good or bad?

And also, not just to have joy, but to give thanks.

To give thanks for everything. The things that I take for granted. The "bad" things.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Ephesians 5:19-20

The things I can tend to take for granted.

-My relationships with the people in Nicaragua.

-The hugs I receive from all the children.

-The wonderful sound of laughter.

-The gift of friendship.

-God's creation surrounding me. The bright, bright stars at night, the trees, the flowers, the lake.

-What God teaches me everyday.

-I could go on forever…

And to give thanks for the things that I wouldn't normally count as a blessing.

But again, who am I to say what is blessing and what is not?

There are blessings ALL around me and He is teaching me to be grateful for e v e r y s i n g l e o n e.

-The rooster that crows basically 24/7 next door. I am grateful for God's creation and that I am not alone here on this earth. I am grateful that because of roosters, I have a free alarm clock =)

-The heat and the humidity, and the warm sunshine on my face. I am thankful that the sun and rain make things grow. I am grateful that the heat makes a cold shower all the more refreshing.

-The beautiful sound of running water. I am grateful for the days that I have running water and the days that I do not. I like bucket showers J

-The bubbles that soap makes. I am blessed to be able to wash my hands and my dishes and eat from clean plates.

-The fact that I was sick a few weeks ago. I was able to spend more time in my prayer and reading scripture.

-The way the people clap off beat at church and show me that praising Jesus does not have follow certain standards.

-And I could go on and on…

These may sound silly, but really, these are all blessings. These are all gifts that He has given me. These are all things that are little graces throughout my day. I can get so caught up in "life" that I forget to give thanks. To give thanks to a God who saved me. To give thanks for each day. To give thanks for every second of every single day. He has SAVED me, how can I not continually be giving thanks?

All that I am for ALL that He is.

All is Grace,    

Berk-Leigh

"if I had my pleasure of anything, You'd be the One that I'd choose."

God has it all in His hands.

“This girl is absolutely crazy. I would never be able to do this for that long. How is she living here?”

That was the thought going through my head when I first came to Nicaragua in the summer of 2009. I was here on a month long mission trip. I was having a conversation with a missionary I had met who was living here. I thought she was insane for having moved to a different country and leaving the States and giving up everything she’d ever known. God brought this memory to mind last night and reminded me of His great power and how He has changed my heart. Literally, if you would have told me two years ago that I would be living in Nicaragua, I probably would have just laughed it off, or secretly thought you were crazy. Not because I didn’t admire missionaries or think that what they do is amazing, but because I thought that I would never have the strength to do it, and because I loved my life in the States. God is so powerful and He has totally changed my heart. I have become that “crazy missionary” because of His great power and love for me.

I am so grateful for a God who is in control. For a God who has all the power.  For the One Who has done so much, is doing so much, and will continue to do so much. For a Loving Father who cares so deeply about each of His children. For a Lord who hears my prayers and always answers them, even if it’s not in the way I wanted, but that He always knows what’s best for me. I am so thankful that when I pray it is ALL in His hands and that I need to worry no longer. That God has it all in hands. That He gives strength to the weary. That He does things through us to show His mighty power and loving hand. That He can make much out of nothing. That He is our constant joy and strength. That He loves us. That He loves us so.

As for things happening around here, I had the opportunity to co-lead a group of 30 kids from the dump and train station to go to camp last weekend, and that was such a blessing that I was so grateful for. Natalia, Julio, and I started out early Friday afternoon on the bus with prayer before we picked most of the kids up. We were all so excited to have the chance to spend quality time with these children. It was so great to be able to spend continuous time with them and love on them for almost three days straight. God graced me with the opportunity and time to have some much needed conversations with some of the girls from the train station, and that was so good. It was a rich blessing to be able to talk to them, and for them be able to open up about things that are hard for them to discuss and talk about when we’re in Granada. We were also eating three meals a day, which is something most of them do not get at home. It was a wonderful weekend full of crafts, games, science, reading, swimming, sports, and other fun activities, and most importantly, learning more about who Jesus is, what He has done for them, how to have a relationship with Him, and what He calls us to in our lives.

We also had a team of eight nursing students here at El Puente, the mission base, last week and they were an incredible group of girls, and so fun to work with. I love seeing how God works with all different kinds of people and groups to bring glory to Him. When they were here, we worked at Home of the Ancients, did VBS at Luz Del Mundo, volunteered at the girls orphanage and special needs school, and did some activities with the kids down at the train station. From now until August, we have about 22 teams coming through El Puente, so prayers for that would be much appreciated.

Something else that I’m involved with is planning for the Vida Joven 5k in May. This is the 3rd annual 5k to raise money for Vida Joven in Granada. You can read more about that here ---> http://www.5kgranada.blogspot.com/

“Work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” –Romans 12:11-13

Please keep me updated on your lives also:) and if you have any questions about what I’ve talked about in this blog, or other things that I’m involved with here, please please please do not hesitate to ask.

God bless!  You all are in my thoughts and prayers always.

God is Faithful.

First off, let me start with saying that I am so incredibly sorry it has taken me so long to blog! It's hard to believe I have been back in Nicaragua for over a month already. Let me share with you some of my thoughts before I returned here...

I think this is the first time in my life that I am completely giving up everything that I’ve ever wanted, and that I am trusting completely and fully in whatever the Lord leads me to. I was reading in Colossians the other day as to how we are to set our minds on things above, and not on things of this earth. I am striving and seeking after the Lord with all of my heart and trying to take the call of Christ in and on my life more seriously than anything else. He is truly all that I desire, and I can't say that enough. Every action and choice in my life should be sharpening me and making me more useful for Him to use for His kingdom. Full obedience to Him is what I need to do, what I am called to do. To some people, I may be throwing my life away, or not making a wise decision, but I know, and from what I read in scripture, God does not call us to live a normal lifestyle or fit in with everyone else. He calls us to listen to His voice, and follow Him always. We're supposed to be different, we're supposed to be radical. Most importantly, we're supposed to live like Jesus, a simple carpenter, God's son, who died for us and our sins.

God works in ways much bigger than we can understand. I am really learning that. Sometimes He calls us to do illogical things and things that don't make sense others. But like in Matthew, we must seek first the Kingdom, and like His disciples did, drop our nets, and go follow Christ, even if it hurts, or even if it means leaving “home”, or what we may have wanted in the past. But we must pray that His desires become our desires. My sole purpose on this earth is to bring glory and honor to His good and perfect name, because He alone is good, and it is all for His sake and His Kingdom. He is always good and constantly working things together for our good. This is His promise to us. Lean on Him and He will give you strength. He is faithful and good, and so much better than anything else in this world.

So, I am back. Back in Nicaragua. Back in the place where my heart was longing and yearning to be. But if I were to say this has been an easy transition, I would be lying through my teeth. This is also probably one of the reasons why it has taken me so long to blog. This has been one of the hardest and most challenging times of my life. But God is faithful. He is always, always, always faithful. And He has been giving me strength and sustaining me in ways I didn't know were possible. It has been so hard, and it is still hard, but God is always good and I know that I am supposed to be here. He is teaching me more and more of His deep and incredible faithfulness and how He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. I am learning more and more that this earth has nothing I desire besides Him (Psalm 73:25-26). Every morning I wake up and know that I must go to Him for strength to get through the day, that I must cling to Him, and that I must walk by faith, for that is all I have, but that is more than enough.

So, since I arrived, I have had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of things, such as...
-The Jicaro project, which is a jewelry business that El Puente, the church I work with here, started to provide jobs for the youth and single mothers of the community.
-Hogar de Ancianos, or "Home of the Ancients", which is a place I go to clean, cook, and spend time with the abandoned elderly people of Granada. These people are so dear to my heart and I always thoroughly enjoy my time there.
-Children's Church, helping to plan and lead the Children's Church programs at Church on Sundays.
-Planning and preparing to start teaching an English class in mid March.
-Singing with the Praise Band at Church.
-The Train Station, spending time with and loving on the children in one of the poorest barrios/neighborhoods in Granada.
-Planning and checking out new and different ministry options for the short term teams we have coming this spring and summer.
-Attending Bible Studies and Church, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
-The Dump, going to the dump and doing a bible study and feeding program for the children and adults who work there.

As I sit here and think about what the Lord is doing, it is completely humbling that I have a chance to be a small part of the ministries here. All glory to God for all that He is doing here:)

I am so grateful that we serve a God who is more faithful than the morning, and who always, always, always sustains us, even when we feel we have nothing left. He is our strength and our portion. We are not here for us and our comfort. We are here to bring glory to His name alone and to serve Him. It is far from easy, but He brings joy to our souls, comfort to our loneliness, and peace to our confusion. Thank you, Lord.

I promise to try and post more often =) I hope everything is going well for everyone at home and please let me know if there's anything I can be praying for! If you have any specific questions about other things I am involved here, please feel free to ask!

Dios te bendiga:)

Into Marvelous Light we're running, out of darkness, out of shame :)

I wrote this blog a few weeks ago, but never posted it, sorry. I’ll try to post another blog within a few days of everything that has been going on lately, in addition to this.

Sorry it has been so long since I’ve written. Things have been pretty busy! My Dad came to visit for a week, and that was so great!! It was amazing to have him here and to let him see of things I’m involved with here. The day before he left, a group of high school girls came to stay for two weeks, and that has been really awesome too. They leave tomorrow and I can’t believe their time is already up. To think about that the fact that I’ve been here almost two months is crazy to me, because I feel like I just got here. And knowing that I have to leave in less than a month is incredibly sad, but I know that I will be back again soon J.

When my Dad was here, I got to take him to the dump, Corazon Contento, the Bible Studies and Church at El Puente, Home of the Ancients, and the train station. It was so fun to combine some of both of my two worlds together. We also had the opportunity to go to Masaya and Catarina, two beautiful cities! Catarina was overlooking the laguna, so it was neat to see the laguna from a different perspective.

A medical team comes in tomorrow, so we’ve been preparing for that. I sorted through about a thousand eyeglasses yesterday for a lot of clinics we’re holding next week, so that was awesome to know we’ll have so much to give.

Another thing that I’ve really been learning lately is that guilt is NOT of God. If you have done something in your past and have confessed it, God has forgiven you. If you still feel guilty about it, then this a trick that Satan uses to make us think that we are not capable of receiving God’s love. And it’s true that we are not worthy of God’s love, but the beautiful thing is that He loves anyway. He loves us no matter what we’ve done! There is absolutely nothing that can separate you can from the love of God through Christ Jesus. Our sins are as far as the east is from the west. Does this mean to keep on sinning? Of course not, but if you have something in your past that you can’t let go, pleaseee learn to let it go. It is such a freeing feeling! And then you’ll understand the true beauty of Grace, and how incredible God’s love is for us, no matter what. There is no circumstance that could make God love you any less. I lately feel like I’ve been falling more and more in love with Jesus every day and that is the coolest feeling! His love is amazing and I can’t get over how incredibly much He loves us so!! In Psalm 18 when David is writing, this is after his sin with Bathsheba, and he is still blameless, because when God sees us, He does not see us and our sins, He sees Jesus!

Sorry if some of that was random, but I am praying for you all and hope you are having incredible summers! I will try to blog again in a few days about the last few weeks, because it’s been a great time full of growth and good teams!

Over the mountains and the seas, Your river runs with love for me. I could sing of Your Love FOREVER :)