In our weakness

My thoughts wander about. So much has happened this week that it is hard to pull it together in a sweet little nutshell. But, alas I must write. If I don't blog, I know I'll forget....so here it goes. God's really been speaking to me lately. It's kinda scary sometimes, because I know it's Him and there's no excuse to rationalize it away as my thoughts. Last Sunday I went for a long walk along the dirt road of San Pedro Town and it was like I didn't feel alone at all. He spoke to me in such a whisper "My daughter, I love you, I will fill you, turn to me for your strength." I'm struck in awe this week at how intimate God wants to be with us. But our journey to draw closer to Him doesn't always come easy. Nor is it any small thing to really be His channel. On Wednesday a group of us was sent out to minister to the locals. We attempted to rely only on God's leading and ask Him where exactly He was leading us. We also fasted so we could rely on God's strength and not our own. But it took a lot of endurance, perseverance, faith and patience. There were times we would walk for an hour looking to see whom God was going to lead us to. There were times when the sun got so hot and we got faint in heart and physically drained. The first day we went up to a nice home where we met the maid and after chatting a bit, we voleenteered to rake her beach and clean the floors. She was overwhelmed with our service, and expressed her gratitude in broken English. We got to bless her and pray with her and invite her to church. She was overjoyed and so were we! Thursday we went on a prayer walk around the slum village of San Mateo. We saw a school called The Holy Cross Elementary and as we felt lead we went in and asked the principle if we could help her out, and do something with the kids. They readily accepted our offer, but we had NO idea what was about to take place. The principle turned two whole classrooms of 7-10 year olds over to us! I bet you're thinking: Awesome! But if you've ever been a substitute teacher you can probably predict what I'm about to say! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! The kids were good for about 10 minutes, and then it was total chaos, but I tried my best to give it all I could tutored them, played some games and taught them some songs. I felt like I nearly was losing it! But as we left the classroom, a little boy slipped me a thank you note and some of the girls looked sorry to have to say good by in just 2 hrs. As soon as the 5 of us regrouped we were exhuasted out of our minds and began to pray desperately for God to refuel us and continue to lead us where we should go. He did and we went one little house built with scrap wood. Thank God two of us knew a little Spanish, however it was difficult. I really wanted to see inside their home, so in my limited Spanish I asked: Are we able to see your house? I was surprised at how welcoming the family was. We went in their home, sat with them, talked with them and pretty much just show them that we cared. I learned that one of them had a dream that white people came and visited them giving them hope. I can not explain how amazing it felt to truly be Christ's hands and feet!!! They even asked us for prayer. There was a mother and father and two children all living in a little shack of a place with only one bedroom separated by a thin sheet. I became somewhat fond of their simplicity, but sad that 9 yr old Joselyn and her brother were unable to attend school simply because they were from Guatemala. Martha was pregnant with her third child and I can only imagine how scarcely they get by! But what can I say, we blessed them simply by showing them that they mattered and were loved. They begged us to return so yesterday we brought them bananas and cookies and a toy for the baby. They all sat around struck with gratitude and awe that we would return. We then played games, sang songs and we each got a turn to hold baby Ander in our arms. We prayed with the family and hugged them goodbye, then we walked the two hours home, again weak from hunger, dizzy from the heat, but this time we walked with more confidence knowing that in our weakness, Jesus Christ showed Himself strong!!! I can't wait for next week because it's ministry week and we are going to be pouring our a lot and working hard!!! Pray that God will protect, provide and guide us every step of the way. Thank you for walking with me virtually on this journey. I love you all!