Hearts United

Hoy fui a un café con una amiga para preparar mis lecciones por la semana. Cuando yo estaba pidiendo mi cafe un hombre detras de yo me preguntó, "qué significa HU?" Lo expliqué como un grupo que empezó en Lima, Peru y tiene el propósito de ayudar gente y compartir el amor de Dios. Le dije que viví en Peru y ahora estoy aqui en Indiana para pasar la voz y compartir el amor de mi Dios. Con esa respuesta el hombre me dijo, "Que pena que no hay mas gente con esa visión."

Fui a sentar a la mesa con mi amiga. Ella estaba escribiendo y yo empecé a preparar mis lecciones. Pero no podría concentrar en la escuela, mis alumnos, y la semana que viene. Solo pensé en el hombre y qué significa HU...Hearts United. Este nombre Hearts United no es solo un grupo...es algo mas. Es gente que tuvieron un pensamiento en como podrian compartir el amor de Dios y pasar la voz de salvacion a todo el mundo. Que buena obra.

Imagina un mundo con todos unidos en Cristo. Cada dia estoy con gente que no conocen Dios. Mis alumnos y unos de mis amigos. Caminar por el dia haciendo mis trabajos sin hablando de Dios. Es mas dificil en el colegio publico porque solo puedo mostrar como amar como Dios me ama, pero con mis amigos no hay ningún razón para que yo no puedo compartir acerca de salvación y Cristo. Tambien en la calle, no hablo de Cristo mucho...qué pena!

Hay muchos que necesitan conocer el amor de Dios y su salvación, pero los Cristianos no están haciendo su trabajo. Dios nos dio un mandamiento...en Mateo 28:19 dice, "vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones". Por qué es tan dificil para hacerlo?

Cuán grande sería nuestro mundo si los cristianos hicieron su trabajo y el mundo se unió en Cristo a causa de un movimiento que comenzó con Corazones Unidos?

Following the Call

Don’t ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it,

because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Howard Thurman~

This quote has become a favorite of mine in the past few years. There are so many people in our world that are self focused. They think very little of the needs in the world; rather, they focus solely on themselves and how they can get ahead. Others wander through life as zombies; they simply go through the motions without much ambition or excitement about anything...often holding bitterness inside their hearts.

I have known since a young age that I wanted to work with children. At that time, I had no clue what God would have me do with children, but I knew my life would be devoted to working with them in some way. Years later, I entered college, studied education, and found my passion in life....teaching!!

Just three weeks ago, I was beginning to doubt my call to teaching. I still hadn't found a teaching job in the States, and while I thought this was where God wanted me (for the time being) I was very uncertain. I prayed and prayed, seeking the will of God, yet feeling clueless and empty. My heart longed to be in Peru, but God kept telling me that now was not the time. I didn't understand...why would God keep me in the U.S. and not provide me with a job in which I could use my passion?

Two weeks ago, I had an interview that changed everything. I went into the interview very skeptical...I was up against three other very qualified candidates. I wanted this job more than anything, but I went into the interview and left not knowing what to expect. However, the following day I received a call. Before I answered, I said a quick prayer asking God that I would be accepting of whatever the response on the other end might be. To my surprise, I was offered a job as a third grade teacher in a great school. I was ecstatic!! God was finally giving me the answer I had been diligently praying for for months. I had four days to tear apart, decorate, and put back together a classroom as well as organize curriculum and plan for the first day of school. I was overwhelmed, but the excitement far outweighed the stress I should have been feeling.

In my opinion, I have the best job in the world. I work with an amazing, Godly staff, and my students are kind, loving, and a pleasure to work with. While I'm still a bit overwhelmed by how quickly I've had to pull everything together, I feel alive each morning when I walk into my classroom. I feel happy, excited, and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way (ok...maybe not any, but most of them). I finally have a classroom of my own where I can use a teaching style I prefer.

While my heart's desire is to return to Peru and work in orphanages there, I know that God's plan for my life has me right here, right now. I trust that one day He will lead me back, but it is all a matter of His timing. For the time being, I am a proud 3rd grade teacher at New Paris Elementary, and I couldn't be happier!! Now instead of praying for a job in order to be able to use my passion, I pray daily for my students...I pray that I would be an excellent role model, that my students would see God's love through me, and that I am an effective educator. God is so good!!

Rewarding Experiences

On this gorgeous Saturday afternoon, I find myself not out enjoying the sunshine but rather sitting in a cafe reviewing interview questions and wondering what God's perfect plan for my life is. I'm learning to be content where I am, find God's purposes for me in the here and now, and to take things one day at a time. It's been a year long learning experience with life leading me in multiple different directions, but obviously I'm not done learning. I used to have a plan for my life, and now I have not one idea what my life could look like in a week. God's changed me a lot in the last year, and I am so thankful for his work in my life.

One question I came across today as I review question upon question was, "What has been your most rewarding life experience?" Wow!! To think I'm only 23 years old and I can barely narrow it down to just one helped me to realize just how very blessed I am. However, as I pondered this question and thought deeply about my past, I realized that there is only one obvious answer...my experiences with Kids Alive - Peru.

The first time I went to Peru in 2007, I was very unsure of myself and my reasons for being part of a team of 15 others I hardly knew. Yet, God knew exactly what he was doing. After spending 2 weeks in La Molina and Manchay with these dear children, my life has never been the same. This trip was what got me excited about missions, and ultimately it changed the course of my life. Upon returning to Peru to again work with Kids Alive in 2009, I was amazed that the children still remembered me by name. Not only did they remember me, but they asked me about some of the team members that had come 2 years ago. These kids remember everything, and they made me feel loved and important. However, I had not returned to Peru for a self-esteem boost. I returned to do the work of God and serve the Peruvian people.

This in turn lead to my most rewarding life experience...my 4.5 months of living in Peru. I was stretched and challenged to move beyond my comfort zone. I grew as a person, as a Christian, and as a teacher. God molded me during this time and drastically changed my life from self-centeredness to God-focused. He brought me friends that were more passionate about Christ than anyone I know here in the States (sorry friends). He took my life and taught me firsthand that this life is not my own, but it belongs to the God who created me. He is in charge!

Living in Peru is by far the most rewarding experience of my 23 (almost 24) years of life. It was not easy, but my time there brought me to be the God loving, God fearing woman I now am. I learned to put others before myself, love as God loves, and see the eternal rewards rather than the earthly ones. I would not be who I am or where I am had it not been for this experience.

As badly as I wish to go back and serve in Peru, God has told me now is not the time. I know I'll be back one day. I just have to wait for his timing. He continues to mold me and shape me each day; he's showing me his perfect ways, and I'm continually learning to be obedient to the call he's placed on my life. Slowly things are making a bit more sense, one day at a time.