Finding a Groove

My life has been a jumble of emotions the past couple of weeks. Teaching has been awfully discouraging and so have the things that come with living in a fallen world, yet I remain content in Paraguay and in my mission here, knowing that God is growing me into someone that I can't yet see. A friend recently encouraged me with these words: "Sometimes it seems we go through hard things just so we know what it is we DON'T want to do or be. God always lets us know."

I have tried SO hard to not complain about the weather since I've been here, but this heat just WILL NOT let up. Oh my goodness. It was over 100 degrees when I arrived in January, and nearly three months later in April we are still hitting 100+ degree temperatures with the humidity some days! We are supposed to be in the midst of autumn, but I am discovering that there isn't really an autumn here. There is a summer and a winter with not much in between. However, at this point it seems like only summer exists! I am longing for the day when I will not constantly sweat and feel like I need five showers a day. I don't really mind if it is 85 degrees...just something under 90 would be nice :)

I was able to spend lots of time with John and Colleen Eisenberg this past weekend, and I also had the opportunity to meet their daughter Elizabeth and her husband Kyle. They live in Asuncion and both teach at Asuncion Christian Academy (ACA). We spent time at their apartment beside the school and then went out for pizza and ice cream. John is still slowly recovering from his foot operation after his fall a couple of months ago. He had the wires removed from his foot today and received word that he can walk again on May 28th! Please continue praying for him!

God has been revealing Himself to me SO much lately! Each day when I open my devotions, the story is exactly what I need to read! God has a way of doing that because He is God! He has been telling me lately that I have not been patient with Him in certain areas of life. Now He is testing my patience, primarily by having me teach 1st grade. First of all, that is an age group with which I do not have much experience. Second of all, I have been "blessed" with an extra special group apparently. I have been asking God a lot lately how I can have a more positive attitude in the classroom each day. I know that the first thing I need to do when I wake up is to ask God to grant me the patience and strength that I need to make it through the day. More importantly, and before I request anything, I need to thank Him for this opportunity and pray for the lives of my students and their families. If I place Christ at the center of my school life, I will approach my classes from a more positive perspective and hopefully won't get so discouraged all the time. I want to be able to love my students as Christ does.

Singing "Apple Annie" with the kindergarten students to learn the letter "A"

singing "Apple Annie"

Church activities have been keeping Cassidy and me very busy! The last Friday of every month we have a prayer vigil from 8:00 to midnight. We eat together afterward as a church family and arrive home around 1:00 a.m. The first Sunday of every month is a morning fast. We continue to attend the prayer meeting at church each Tuesday night and the Bible study at our house every Wednesday night. We also usually attend the youth group meeting on Saturdays.

This week, Alex and I are beginning a new class - an English club for the oldest students at New Horizon. The class will meet every Wednesday and Thursday for an hour in the afternoon, and it will be an opportunity for them to practice their English even more than they do in the classroom throughout the school day. We don't have an exact lesson plan, as we will teach whatever the students are interested in learning. The class will cost 10 million guarani each month (about $2) to cover photocopy costs. After Easter break, Alex and I will also be starting an adult English class every Thursday evening for an hour. Many teachers at New Horizon have told us that they are interested in taking the class. We also hope to reach the parents of the students.

With each passing day, I grow closer to my roommate Cassidy and my host family. They have been so good to me, encouraging me in times of need and celebrating with me in times of joy. Despite the many hardships I have experienced in these eleven weeks overseas, I continue to remain at peace, resting in the fact that God never leaves my side. I recently listened to the song God of Angel Armies (Whom Shall I Fear) and was reminded that God stands behind me and goes before me. No matter how dark the valley we walk through, the light always shins brighter than the darkness. He is always victorious. This is encouraging me to stay strong and trudge through the valley, knowing that there is hope on the other side.

I may not write for awhile, as I will be on break all next week for Easter. The plan is to go to Argentina for a few days with my fellow missionaries Alex and Cassidy. I am excited for, not only a break from school, but also an opportunity to travel! I will post lots of pics when we return! :)

Until next time, bendiciones! 

Ways you can be praying...
1) my teaching and my attitude toward my students (especially first grade) - to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus
2) my health (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual)
3) recognition of God's voice and willingness to follow Him wherever He leads
4) safe travels during Easter break :)

Happy Easter from four of this year's English teachers at New Horizon!