HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!
This is my 1st Fourth that I've been out of the country--away from my family and friends...and it's a bit anti-climatic! I heard what sounded like fireworks (?) last night at midnight coming from somewhere around here, but it could've been purely a coincidence! Anywho--Happy 4th Everyone...eat a few hot dogs and play some cornhole for me!
Anyway, the Mission Team from Canada has arrive, so I no longer have an apartment to myself... but I surely don't mind! It's nice to have people my age who speak my (first) language around here... and... SARAH ZORKO COMES TOMORROW NIGHT!!! Yay, I am SO EXCITED for her to finally arrive :)...so in the span of five days, my bathroom has gone from 1 user to 8! AY.
So, my main duties around here have been "guardia"-- playground supervision, "clase"--reading and math class with the elementary kids, and tutoring a few of the teenagers in reading and math, as well as the continued group projects. I'm truly enjoying being able to be a part of these kids' education... although some of the high school math is proving to be a challenge for me as well... (I've been outsmarted a few times!)
Something I've been thinking about...
Remember in the New Testament when Paul was in prison, and for a few years, some of the early Christians just took care of him? That's what they did-- day in and day out. They just took care of Paul: giving him food and water...They weren't out 'saving lives' and 'changing the world' per say, but they were just humbly serving a brother in need. That's what daily life can be like, ya know? We're not always out there on the front lines living adventurously. Sometimes, we're
just 'living'. Whether it's
just working, or
just going to school, or
just staying at home taking care of kids... The thing is, none of these things is
just living if we are living purposefully. 1 Corinthians 10:31:
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." That's it... life is about bringing glory to God. And even though I'm down here having an "adventurous mission trip"... it's still life. It's hanging out with the kids day-in-and-day-out. It's building relationships and trying to bring glory to God through it all. A big difference I've noticed between my role in ministry down here compared to at New Life, is that I haven't specifically been discipling anyone, or been purposeful about having meaningful conversations. But, teaching and loving these kids in Christ's love IS MINSTRY! Ha... and how I can so easily forget that. Why do we teach? Why is education so important? In my opinion, education brings opportunity, and it better equips us to do whatever work God has in store for us. Personally, I am MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED to be a teacher because of the education I have received. (Thank you, OSU!) And, I know that this is the work God has called me to. So, what I'm saying is that 'ministry' isn't always going to look like 'ministry'. There are many parts to the one body. We are a community! We all have our roles!... and give God the glory He deserves by doing everything you do for His glory and not your own!
Pfew, sorry if that was a lot, but it's something that I've really been trying to process, and I believe it's an important lesson I will continue to learn! I'm learning A LOT about myself, my Jesus, and the world down here, and I wish I could write it all down, but I'll spare you all for now!
..For some reason, blogger isn't allowing me to upload my most recent pics, but hopefully I'll have them up soon!
HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!
