I finally found the internet cafe in Nejapa! I have spent one week and two days here and it feels like many more. So far there have been many ups and a few challenging moments.
I am living in the missionary quarters with Alyssa and Kirsten. I love the many moments of heart to heart conversations that we share throughout the day, it´s truly a blessing to be with them.

I work 24 hour shifts every other day from 8am to 8am. The challenging part of the day happens when they come home from school and have to do chores and homework. In just several shifts I have already experienced the challenges of young girls who wait until bedtime to do poster projects due the next day, those who absolutely refuse to wash the dishes or obey my telling her to do them right now and of those who are sick and can´t go to school. I want my moments with them to be great, fun and happy but most times showing and developing character is difficult. I realize my time with them is going to have more challenges than I originally thought because learning to obey the things you don´t really want to is never fun or happy, for them or for me. Some of you parents just said "now you know what my life is all about!" Rachel is very encouraging and helps me press on when I´m overwhelmed. I am determined to be humbled, to surrender, to stand firm, to speak up and to be quiet... all to show the character of Christ in this endeavor and the ones that come after.
1 Cor 2 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him".

El Salvador 2009

Today I am grateful. Grateful to have a job that offers 9 weeks of summer break. Grateful to know the Spanish language. Grateful that I enjoy traveling to foreign countries. Grateful that I have a heart for the children and ministry at Love and Hope in Nejapa, El Salvador. Before I knew who Jesus was and what He did for me (and you) on the cross, the Lord had already created these specific desires of mine to be used for His glory. I am grateful to Him for this next journey. Won't you join me as I blog about the next 2 months at Love and Hope?



Lately I have heard several different sermons speaking the same message to me. Two words sum up the message well, "CHANGE" and "LED". (I'm not talking President Obama's kind of change!) I want to fulfill the God's purpose for my life, this summer, in El Salvador and this day. In order to do that I must continue to CHANGE and be LED by Him through His Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that are helping me CHANGE and be LED.



"I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." Isa 49:4



Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58



'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zech 4:6



Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psa 127:1



When I think about how much time I have wasted just doing things that have no eternal purpose or value, it makes me sick! The scariest part is to think that I was actually doing something that mattered and to realize that maybe it was in vain and not aligned with God's purpose for me. I am focusing my eyes on His work by His spirit while I am away and when I return. Pray for me about these things if you feel so LED.