May Update

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 3:13 - 14

      The rainy season has finally begun! Very few days go by without a thunderstorm or at least some rain. And of course, along with the rain comes the bugs. Many of these creatures have decided that they would like to live with me in my house. So, I have included a few pictures of my new friends. Sadly, (or maybe not so sadly) none of these bugs lasted five minutes after the picture was taken. However, despite these bugs, the rainy season has been welcomed with open arms. Everything is green and beautiful again.

       Life here in Nicaragua hasn’t change a lot even with the change of seasons. Wally and Esther have been able to go out and plant more crops and have been able to start work on their greenhouse. However, my job as teaching has changed. I am still thoroughly enjoying teaching these children. We are planning on finishing regular school in June and over the summer just prepare them for entering grade 5 in online school in September.

       We have been able to help out at an orphanage a few times this past month. It has been really fun to be able to play with the kids and get to know Lauren, one of the people who run the orphanage. They are doing really well there and that is a huge praise item.

       I have still been helping with the children’s program at Bible study. The classroom was finished last week and I am very excited to have some shelter from the wind and rain. Two weeks ago we had 18 children show up for Bible study which was overwhelming since we usually have no more than 8 children.

       Over the past couple of weeks, God has been challenging me to seek and desire Him more. He has been giving me the desire to grow in my walk with Jesus Christ. So many times in my life I get comfortable with where I am and stop pursing God. It is really difficult to get motivated and get out of the rut. I just ask that you would pray for me in this; that I would just run after God and grow in my relationship with Christ. 

       I want to thank you again for the generosity you have shown. It is always encouraging to see people supporting God’s ministry. I am looking for God to provide another $8000 to complete this ministry. I trust that the Lord will work in people’s hearts to give. However, please continue to pray for the finance to come in. If you would like to participate in this way please contact the EFCCM using the contact information below.

Please consider sharing my newsletter, ministry, and financial and prayer needs with others who may be interested in what God is doing here in Nicaragua.

Scorpion

Centipede (my worst enemy and one that I have been unsuccessful in killing)

Cockroach (my other worst enemy) seriously...it was 2 inches long. That is disgusting.

Very gross spider.

Daddy-long-leg nest. This one is pretty small but you get the picture.

Donations can also be made on line at www.efccm.ca or by phone toll free at 1 877 305 EFCC.    Also monthly preauthorized giving through credit card or bank debits can also be arranged.

Donations to be sent to:

EFCCM, PO Box 850, Langley Stn, LCD1      Langley, BC V3A 8S6

Cheques are to be made payable to EFCCM

Account # 2-2940

           

April

Buenos Dias!

            Three and a half months, can you believe it? We are still experiencing the dry season out here and the drought continues on. However, we have seen signs of the coming rain. It has been getting hotter and hotter every day and the humidity is crazy. A few times I thought for sure it was going to rain but it only has rained once and a very little bit. I am really looking forward to the rain, I have had enough of this dryness.

            This past month has had its ups and downs. I am still really enjoying living in Nicaragua and living with the Wiebe’s. My family was here at the beginning of the month and that was really good! However, I am struggling with a few things. I am quite frustrated with my Spanish lessons. It seems as though it doesn’t matter how many hours I study in a day, I know even less than I did before. That’s not quite true, I have learned a little, but I feel as though it will take forever to be able to communicate even a little.

            I am also anxious about finances. Even though I know God will provide for me, it is still in the back of my mind and something that I think about a lot. I know that God is the source of my finances and it is Him that work’s in people’s hearts to the ministry of giving. Please pray that God would move in people`s hearts to join my financial and prayer support team.

            Another thing that I have been struggling with is that I am feeling quite lonely here. I have not met a lot of people my age, if any, and I am starting to feel it. I love hanging out with the kids, Wally and Esther, their friends, and the Nicaraguans that I come in contact with but somehow that’s not the same as having a friend your own age to talk to and get together with. Along with all these things, I have been struggling with surrendering it all to God. Please pray for me, that I will be able to give it all to God and just trust in his unfailing love for everything that I need.

            Teaching is still going really well. I am enjoying it more and more each day. We have had a lot of company lately and I am always excited when we can get back to the regular routine of school. I still have not been able to start volunteering at the orphanage, as I said we have had a lot of visitors lately. Hopefully now that we are not expecting many guests, we will be able to start going there once a week. I am still helping with the children’s Bible studies on Sundays. La Semilla ministries is planning to build a Sunday school classroom in the next couple of months and I am really excited about that. So far we have been sitting outside in the wind and heat and soon the rain so I am going to be very thankful for the shelter.