As a now look at the date, I see it has been a good month since I have updated. Please don't think I have forgotten about all of you, or forgotten English, or anything. To tell you the truth, I have been busy, my life in many ways has been a roller coaster, not know where I was going to be from day to day. God testing me, trying me, probing me, breaking my heart, testing further my obedience, and my dedication to Him. In His mysterious ways, confirming that He has called me here, and no one can revoke the call he has placed on my life.
Recovering from the shock of we are moving you, no you are staying, I enter into a new level of shock and insecurity, as one night while we are sleeping robbers break into our garage, climb the fence, break into our car and steal our system from the car. Sure, it was a decent cd player, system, that's not the part that bothers me, what bothers / bothered me is the fact that they broke in so easily and the insecurity!!! Friday night, our next door neighbors are robbed as they are entering their house, they are held at gun point, demanded to give them all their money and any firearms that were in the house. More insecurity.
Strange as it sounds, this is part of the culture here, life here, it happens so often and police don't do anythign about it here. Part of my learning, missionary experience here is learning this part of life, learning that the only security comes from faith, and trusting every minute of your life to God. Trusting that every step of you take is in God's hands, lead and directed by Him. Tough lessons, strong lessons for me. Things for me to overcome, things to help me grow.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Changes, and More Changes.
Be Flexible right? Ready for change. Willing to change? After beginning to adjust to the differeces of living with a person, working together with a person, working through differences and accepting differences. . I have to do it all over again. This has been a long week, a tough week. I'm here in venezuela God and I. My 'ministry partner' Lori, returned the the States this thursday to being work, and studies at Asbury Seminary. Now, I'm the only american working here with the churches... I have to learn to adjust again to living with a new person with new likes, dislikes, to learn about her and how to live with her, work together with her. To plan with her, get children's ministry working with her. I also have to adjust to not having my big brother here, Erick Gonzalez, left last night for Caracas, Sunday he will be flying to the States to get married and live in Indiana.. As it is a dream come true for him, it deepens my dependence on God. Now, I don't have someone to go to if something breaks in the house, or if something is wrong with the car, or someone close - (across the street) - to talk to or do something with.. Someone who looks out for me, watches the house and makes sure everything is okay...
It is a lot of changes and a lot more responsibility for me at once.. With continual stress and adjustments to culture, losing the only ones who understand my culture. Right now, having to learn, to transition, to orgainze, plan, prepare and call on, rely on, count on people from here to help me... Encourage them to help me, teach them how they can help me. That's hard for me - just hard for me to express a lot of times b/c for me things seem obvious - like that's automatically - common sense what I would do, but people can't read my mind - so I'm learning to express and communicate here with the culture and how things are. . . .
Life certainly hasn't been dull here - lots of things going on - there has been culture shock just adjustments for me - issues with my visa, a car crash, fixing the house, fixing the car, walking places. Looking back on the past month there are infinite ways that God has been taking care of me a looking out for me. About 3 weeks ago now, 12:30 at night I hear this crash but I think nothing of it b/c the neighbors are always making noise, exploding things, etc. . . I wake up in the morning, and Lori and Keila are sitting in the kitchen like scared, and Lori gets up, and opens the door to the room where I USED to sleep, and there's the car in the wall, with a big hole in the wall to the house. They hit the house with the car. Only through the grace of God - I remained calm and was like well we need to fix it, get to work and fix it.. Not getting mad, upset, leaving the house... My reaction was lets resolve the problem, (that's not normally how I react) but wow God is definitely working in me. Erick came over in the after noon to cement block to cover the hole in the wall.. and Sunday we took the car to the shop - to get it repaired. . . . the car was in the shop for a week. Challenges, trials, everywhere - but God is good. If I had not moved to the other room - the car would have crashed with my head.
I have a lot of work to do - my work load is that of 3 or 4 people really but only through the strength that God gives me is the work getting done - If I were to say it was by my own strength, I would be burnt out seriously. In charge of 6 English classes, 1 Christian education class, in charge of 3 children's ministries and 1 girls bible study.
Keep me in your prayers now, mostly struggling with feeling alone. Notes of encouragement would be amazing!! Thanks... Thank you for all your prayers.. Take Care. God Bless.. I Love You. .
It is a lot of changes and a lot more responsibility for me at once.. With continual stress and adjustments to culture, losing the only ones who understand my culture. Right now, having to learn, to transition, to orgainze, plan, prepare and call on, rely on, count on people from here to help me... Encourage them to help me, teach them how they can help me. That's hard for me - just hard for me to express a lot of times b/c for me things seem obvious - like that's automatically - common sense what I would do, but people can't read my mind - so I'm learning to express and communicate here with the culture and how things are. . . .
Life certainly hasn't been dull here - lots of things going on - there has been culture shock just adjustments for me - issues with my visa, a car crash, fixing the house, fixing the car, walking places. Looking back on the past month there are infinite ways that God has been taking care of me a looking out for me. About 3 weeks ago now, 12:30 at night I hear this crash but I think nothing of it b/c the neighbors are always making noise, exploding things, etc. . . I wake up in the morning, and Lori and Keila are sitting in the kitchen like scared, and Lori gets up, and opens the door to the room where I USED to sleep, and there's the car in the wall, with a big hole in the wall to the house. They hit the house with the car. Only through the grace of God - I remained calm and was like well we need to fix it, get to work and fix it.. Not getting mad, upset, leaving the house... My reaction was lets resolve the problem, (that's not normally how I react) but wow God is definitely working in me. Erick came over in the after noon to cement block to cover the hole in the wall.. and Sunday we took the car to the shop - to get it repaired. . . . the car was in the shop for a week. Challenges, trials, everywhere - but God is good. If I had not moved to the other room - the car would have crashed with my head.
I have a lot of work to do - my work load is that of 3 or 4 people really but only through the strength that God gives me is the work getting done - If I were to say it was by my own strength, I would be burnt out seriously. In charge of 6 English classes, 1 Christian education class, in charge of 3 children's ministries and 1 girls bible study.
Keep me in your prayers now, mostly struggling with feeling alone. Notes of encouragement would be amazing!! Thanks... Thank you for all your prayers.. Take Care. God Bless.. I Love You. .
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Life without Paul and Sue
On Monday, Paul and Sue - the missionaries I have been living with- returned to the U.S. Life has changed a little since then. I am now learning to live with Lori - it´s always an adjustment to learn how to live with someone. There has been a little stress as well. As Paul and Sue left, the airport officials actually reviewed their VISAS and were told that they are not allowd to return to Venezuela for 3 years. As laws become strict and enforced here, that means changes for me as well. The culture here is accustomed to not following the rules, but so it has caused more frustrations for me as well. Pray for my VISA.
Well, I have more responsiblities now, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, taking care of the car, getting it fixed, making sure everything is okay in the house.. It´s a lot of learning and making the most, taking advantage and being motivated to work and assume the responsibilities.
Ministry and work are also going well. In school I have run across tactics that work to make teaching easier, less stressful and keeps the students involved... Ministry is going well as well. learning how to do ministry, being observant, and just patient to allow God to work.... My time is runnin out here so .. i am going to go.. i´ll post more later.. Take Care. God Bless... In Love and Prayer...
Well, I have more responsiblities now, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, taking care of the car, getting it fixed, making sure everything is okay in the house.. It´s a lot of learning and making the most, taking advantage and being motivated to work and assume the responsibilities.
Ministry and work are also going well. In school I have run across tactics that work to make teaching easier, less stressful and keeps the students involved... Ministry is going well as well. learning how to do ministry, being observant, and just patient to allow God to work.... My time is runnin out here so .. i am going to go.. i´ll post more later.. Take Care. God Bless... In Love and Prayer...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
God hears and Answers prayers. Amen!
A testimony to God's faithfulness, to His Healing power, and to increase your faith. God hears and answers our prayers.
Last week I asked you to be praying for Fabiola, a 12 year old girl with a serious illness. After 23 days without being able to eat or drink. This week, Fabiola is now drinking water, eating soup, crackers, starting to eat bread. Tuesday the family was there and the nurse was telling them they were going to look for donors to begin a blood transfusion for Fabiola, and her uncle, Abigail, said "No, Fabiola doesn't need a blood transfusion, she has the blood of Christ!" The following day, her blood tests all came back normal, blood counts normal, everything! The Lord has glorified himself in Her life, and her family!! She is a living testimony of God's healing power and the truth that God still performs miracles. She is also a testimony to each and every one of you who lifted up prayers for her and her life. The Lord has answered our prayers and continues to answer the prayers of His people!!!! Thanks for your prayers and may you all be encouraged that God is in control, God is listening, and God is answering your prayers!!!! May God continue to bless you as you all serve him!
Last week I asked you to be praying for Fabiola, a 12 year old girl with a serious illness. After 23 days without being able to eat or drink. This week, Fabiola is now drinking water, eating soup, crackers, starting to eat bread. Tuesday the family was there and the nurse was telling them they were going to look for donors to begin a blood transfusion for Fabiola, and her uncle, Abigail, said "No, Fabiola doesn't need a blood transfusion, she has the blood of Christ!" The following day, her blood tests all came back normal, blood counts normal, everything! The Lord has glorified himself in Her life, and her family!! She is a living testimony of God's healing power and the truth that God still performs miracles. She is also a testimony to each and every one of you who lifted up prayers for her and her life. The Lord has answered our prayers and continues to answer the prayers of His people!!!! Thanks for your prayers and may you all be encouraged that God is in control, God is listening, and God is answering your prayers!!!! May God continue to bless you as you all serve him!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Recovery. Soccer team. Ministry.
"I will fulfill my purposes for you. . " Psalm 138:8 - This has been a verse that has encouraged me and kept me going here. To trust and confide in this promise of God, that he is going to complete, fulfill his purpose for me. That He does have me here in Venezuela for a purpose and He is going to complete that purpose, if I allow him of course. I am well on the road to recovery, eating all the time, starting to gain weight back that I lost. Starting back teaching classes in the school, and full time in ministry with the 3 different church plants, plus evangelism events and special aniversary events. God is giving me the strength, the encouragement, the peace and joy to be here and working for him. The children's ministries are growing, we are changing our focus a little to involve the people of the church, to train, and prepare people for the church to be able to take over the childrens ministry so when we leave the ministry can continue!!!! I have spent a lot of time lately just in God's presence reading the Bible, spending time in praying, and intentionally making time to spend with God - knowing that that is where my strength comes from.
We are looking for more creative ways, and creative things to incorporate with children's ministry to change things up a little bit and do something different with the children, the problem of resources still remains, here there are very little rescources of crafts, material, for the workers and children to use!
Other news, the girls from the main church are creating a women's soccer team and invited, asked, wanted me to play with them, join the team. I went to play with them on monday. It was a good time, a lot of fun. I haven't played soccer in years, so I need a lot of practice to be able to play with them. Not to mention I was sore for about 3 days maybe 4 days after playing! It is a great opportunity to get to know other girls from the church and encourage them. Part of the vision of the team is to have a devotional and encourage each other in the Lord as well as have a good time playing soccer!!
I am going to ask you all to continue to be in prayer for ministry partner for me, as time is running down, Paul and Sue leave in 2 weeks, Lori leaves in 5 weeks - that leaves me with the responsibility of all work and ministry to myself!! I need help. They do have a person to stay at the house with me, Keila, but she has a lot of responsibility of her own studying in college, working, and being Director of Missions and Evangelism at a conference level here in Venezuela, she is in charge of the church plants and all the cell groups here!!! I still do not have people to help me with, travel with me to the church plants and work in children ministry! Pray for God to raise up these people!!!
Another prayer request, I am going to ask for praying on behalf of Fabiola she is a 12 year old girl who is a part of one of our churches in plantation, she has been in the hospital for 16 days with an inflamed, swollen pancrease, she has not been able to eat, or drink, she is on IV, and they just implemented a feeding tube, she has been vomiting, (even though there is no food in her) and started nose bleeds as well. Her family her mother is not christian but is open to people coming and praying for her, and reading the Bible - this has been a very hard time for the family, and extended family - they would all appreciate your prayers!!!
I hope you all are well.. Take Care.. May God continue to bless all of you!
We are looking for more creative ways, and creative things to incorporate with children's ministry to change things up a little bit and do something different with the children, the problem of resources still remains, here there are very little rescources of crafts, material, for the workers and children to use!
Other news, the girls from the main church are creating a women's soccer team and invited, asked, wanted me to play with them, join the team. I went to play with them on monday. It was a good time, a lot of fun. I haven't played soccer in years, so I need a lot of practice to be able to play with them. Not to mention I was sore for about 3 days maybe 4 days after playing! It is a great opportunity to get to know other girls from the church and encourage them. Part of the vision of the team is to have a devotional and encourage each other in the Lord as well as have a good time playing soccer!!
I am going to ask you all to continue to be in prayer for ministry partner for me, as time is running down, Paul and Sue leave in 2 weeks, Lori leaves in 5 weeks - that leaves me with the responsibility of all work and ministry to myself!! I need help. They do have a person to stay at the house with me, Keila, but she has a lot of responsibility of her own studying in college, working, and being Director of Missions and Evangelism at a conference level here in Venezuela, she is in charge of the church plants and all the cell groups here!!! I still do not have people to help me with, travel with me to the church plants and work in children ministry! Pray for God to raise up these people!!!
Another prayer request, I am going to ask for praying on behalf of Fabiola she is a 12 year old girl who is a part of one of our churches in plantation, she has been in the hospital for 16 days with an inflamed, swollen pancrease, she has not been able to eat, or drink, she is on IV, and they just implemented a feeding tube, she has been vomiting, (even though there is no food in her) and started nose bleeds as well. Her family her mother is not christian but is open to people coming and praying for her, and reading the Bible - this has been a very hard time for the family, and extended family - they would all appreciate your prayers!!!
I hope you all are well.. Take Care.. May God continue to bless all of you!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
I'm still alive.
The past couple weeks have been good and bad. Fighting with the car. The car one. It died, quit working, wouldn't start, not even a click. . . No way to get anywhere. To get stuff that we need. I was also a youth camp for 4 days which was a great time. Meet a lot of people, recieved a lot of challenging words. Now - feel like I have a big decision to make. I don't want to elaborate right now - just be in prayer please. I don't understand the way God works or what God is trying to say. I need to make a decision not by feeling or not b/c I'm at a weakpoint and feel like giving up or because someting better came along but because that's how God ordainded.
The past couple weeks have consisted of, spending each day of the week in a different mecanic working on a different problem of the car, and finding a new problem with the car. And once everyone says yeah it's fixed and everythings good - we went to a couple stores close by and we went to start the car to go home and it wouldn't start, checked the battery but the battery was charged and good. . . and well I don't know what the problem was but no one could get it to start, we 'towed' it to the church to park it, because the next day we were going to camp - I was fine didn't care about the car excited about Camp. Camp was on the beach with tents about 215 youth!!!!! We had 3 bathrooms this time and 2 showers!!!!!! Playing on the beach, volleyball, soccer, talking, joking around, . . . . . worship, workshops, and evening services with challenging messages - "Enfocate" - Focus. Being healed of past hurts, being complete, being focused on God. Good food, no - bad food camp food - (if you think pville is bad wow you got another thing coming!!) The most important is meeting with God and God meeting me there - now coming home (sick, sicker then I have ever been in my life) but now taking this time to reflect, dig, transform things in my life that God is showing me.
Life lessons for me right now: 1. Don't spend much time in the sun. (heat exhaustion)
2. Bring lots of water no matter how heavy or how much stuff you have. Drink lots of water always. Don't trust camp juice! (they use bad water)
3. Always get plenty of rest.
Being sick the past 5 days, has been tough for me. (I'm rarely sick) This is the first time I have been sick here too. When I get sick, I get sick - honestly this is the sickest I have even been in my life to the point I wasn't even keeping water in my body. Tuesday I started to retain water, juices and simple foods. I was up all night b/c I couldn't sleep my stomach hurt so bad. . . Wednesday - terrible pain in my stomach, that made me not want to eat but continued with my juices and water.
Today - thursday - woke up well ever hour last night to go the bathroom, get more water, calm my stomach. . Now about noon, I'm feeling okay drinking water successfully eating small things. And am feeling hungry and capable of eating.
At these points is here home wow it's true there is no place like home. I know what I can eat, what I can buy, what I can do to make me feel better, here no? At home I have people who take care of me here? Yeh, there has been one family that has taken care of me. I am very grateful for this family. (The Caripe family. )
The past couple weeks have consisted of, spending each day of the week in a different mecanic working on a different problem of the car, and finding a new problem with the car. And once everyone says yeah it's fixed and everythings good - we went to a couple stores close by and we went to start the car to go home and it wouldn't start, checked the battery but the battery was charged and good. . . and well I don't know what the problem was but no one could get it to start, we 'towed' it to the church to park it, because the next day we were going to camp - I was fine didn't care about the car excited about Camp. Camp was on the beach with tents about 215 youth!!!!! We had 3 bathrooms this time and 2 showers!!!!!! Playing on the beach, volleyball, soccer, talking, joking around, . . . . . worship, workshops, and evening services with challenging messages - "Enfocate" - Focus. Being healed of past hurts, being complete, being focused on God. Good food, no - bad food camp food - (if you think pville is bad wow you got another thing coming!!) The most important is meeting with God and God meeting me there - now coming home (sick, sicker then I have ever been in my life) but now taking this time to reflect, dig, transform things in my life that God is showing me.
Life lessons for me right now: 1. Don't spend much time in the sun. (heat exhaustion)
2. Bring lots of water no matter how heavy or how much stuff you have. Drink lots of water always. Don't trust camp juice! (they use bad water)
3. Always get plenty of rest.
Being sick the past 5 days, has been tough for me. (I'm rarely sick) This is the first time I have been sick here too. When I get sick, I get sick - honestly this is the sickest I have even been in my life to the point I wasn't even keeping water in my body. Tuesday I started to retain water, juices and simple foods. I was up all night b/c I couldn't sleep my stomach hurt so bad. . . Wednesday - terrible pain in my stomach, that made me not want to eat but continued with my juices and water.
Today - thursday - woke up well ever hour last night to go the bathroom, get more water, calm my stomach. . Now about noon, I'm feeling okay drinking water successfully eating small things. And am feeling hungry and capable of eating.
At these points is here home wow it's true there is no place like home. I know what I can eat, what I can buy, what I can do to make me feel better, here no? At home I have people who take care of me here? Yeh, there has been one family that has taken care of me. I am very grateful for this family. (The Caripe family. )
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sorpresa!
It's been awhile again since I have written. My time keeps filling faster and faster and more things, My schedule is more full.. Church, Seminary, teaching classes, tuesdays - cell group of teenage girls, classes, wed Punta de Mata - working with children, classes, thrusday 'free', friday work with children, and youth at Sabana Grande, saturday work with children at La Toscana. Not counting time to plan lessons, plan children's programs, etc.. clean the house, cook food, take care of the care, clean my room.... Here in Venezuela everything takes longer then in the States - it is a processes. Nothing is 'easily' accessible. It took a 1/2 day to find a place to repair a tire, and they have to order the tire we need from a distributor and won't have the car actually fixed until tuesday - that is if everything goes well!! I am realizing I am not as patient, or flexible as I thought.. I need a different kind of patience and flexibility. Everything here is based on relationships, not tasks - accomplishing the tasks, planning the tasks - it's just wing it, the relationships and time talking is more important. At times that is hard for me b/c I feel like I need to plan and be well prepared in order for me to give my best, so I feel like I am not doing my best b/c I do not have enough time to plan or prepare. It's challenging. Slowly, I will easy into I think.
What has been going on in my life? Well, Yes Tuesday the 4th was my birthday. 1st birthday in a different country, I received many text messages, and greetings.. I had good day over all.. A hard day b/c it was different.. but good. I was ready for the day to be over and they had a surprise party for me. I was very overwhelmed, but grateful for the friends who wanted the best for my birthday!
I am getting along well with Lori, the missionary who is here to help me, guide me, show me the ropes, be my ministry partner. We usually split the work 50/50 if someone is having a rough day the other takes over. I have learned alot, she is a very outgoing, center of attention person and well I'm the opposite and so I let her take over a lot.. Maybe I should take initiative more times. I still have time though - just taking things one step at a time. I need to learn a lot more children's songs in spanish, childrens activities, and stories. Fun things to do with limited resources!! Any ideas, materials - PLEASE send them my way!
God still teaching me alot.. About myself, about himself, and about the work he as for me! I have a lot in me I need to change still. It's all a process - Still reminded of the importance to spending time daily with Him - He is my source of strength and if I don't tap into the source, I have nothing to give. I have attitudes, perspectives, and other things I need to change... Culture shock, clashes, that I need to get over, get through. Confidence to build.
No, adventures lately. I am doing well. Things are going well. Just very busy right now. I hope all is well... Sent me notes, messages, a line to let me hear from you, know how you are, what's going on... Take Care.. God Bless.. I love you all.. Miss you all...
What has been going on in my life? Well, Yes Tuesday the 4th was my birthday. 1st birthday in a different country, I received many text messages, and greetings.. I had good day over all.. A hard day b/c it was different.. but good. I was ready for the day to be over and they had a surprise party for me. I was very overwhelmed, but grateful for the friends who wanted the best for my birthday!
I am getting along well with Lori, the missionary who is here to help me, guide me, show me the ropes, be my ministry partner. We usually split the work 50/50 if someone is having a rough day the other takes over. I have learned alot, she is a very outgoing, center of attention person and well I'm the opposite and so I let her take over a lot.. Maybe I should take initiative more times. I still have time though - just taking things one step at a time. I need to learn a lot more children's songs in spanish, childrens activities, and stories. Fun things to do with limited resources!! Any ideas, materials - PLEASE send them my way!
God still teaching me alot.. About myself, about himself, and about the work he as for me! I have a lot in me I need to change still. It's all a process - Still reminded of the importance to spending time daily with Him - He is my source of strength and if I don't tap into the source, I have nothing to give. I have attitudes, perspectives, and other things I need to change... Culture shock, clashes, that I need to get over, get through. Confidence to build.
No, adventures lately. I am doing well. Things are going well. Just very busy right now. I hope all is well... Sent me notes, messages, a line to let me hear from you, know how you are, what's going on... Take Care.. God Bless.. I love you all.. Miss you all...
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