This past week I have been trying to find my new groove. Basically, I have been trying to find a new balance between homework, activities, ministry, and friends. I am not sure I have found that balance yet, but God has definitely given me the grace and energy to be able to do many things. For example, the other night I was exhausted and not in the mood to play volleyball, but I went and waited 30 minutes for people to show up. As I sat there I talked to God and then decided to leave, which of course I was happy about because then I could go home and sleep. Just then a family showed up to play, I was bummed because that meant I had to stay but God used a little boy that night to teach me a lesson about courage and strength and in the end I left not only energized but also full of joy, now that was definitely the Lord. Thanks God for the wonderful night.
On Saturday, I was able to go to Valle del Sol and see all of my kiddos. It was a blast! All of the kids were there and I got to see them for the first time since I arrived back to Costa Rica. We had a party because a group from Oklahoma was visiting and we got to watch a video for the first time with the kids about the Kingdom of Heaven. It was an animated Bible story based off of the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46). It was quite interesting since we do not have the convenience of up-to-date technology, but it worked and the kids had fun. I watched the eyes of one of my boys as he sat with his ear close to the speaker so that he could hear over the sounds of the other children and it was such a blessing to be able to see him learning and asking questions. Seeing a child's eyes light up as they learn new information and learn about God is such an incredible blessing.
God has reminded me this past week of the importance of having a childlike faith and the value of the kingdom of Heaven. Giving up everything and following God is something we all must do, He should be our focus and our source of life. God calls all of us to give up somethings for our own good in order to live in obedience to Him. However, then He calls us to give up somethings for His glory and His purposes in our lives. Anything that we give up does not compare to knowing and being in a relationship with the Lord of the Universe. As Paul said, "what is more, I count everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith".
I would also like to let you know that I am currently in the process of finding ways to become a full-time missionary. As many of you know, I have been praying about joining a missions organization, but as much as I would love to join an organization I have not felt called to any one particular organization. Now things may change over time, but as I begin taking these next steps towards full-time missions work I would like to ask you to join me in prayer. Pray for me as a seek for ways to continue in full-time cross-cultural ministry as either an independent missionary or for an opportunity to serve full-time with an organization. I am also currently trying to find a job in the States or overseas for at least 2 years in order to pay off some of my student loan debt from college so that I may go into full-time missions work. I would like to begin working as a full-time missionary somewhere in Latin America, but first I need to be debt-free so please pray for me as I look for jobs to pay off this debt. Thank you all for joining me and coming along side me in my walk with the Lord.
