Blessings

I have been blessed more than I deserve. In fact, I am a firm believer that we deserve nothing. God blesses us because he chooses to not because he has to. What a mighty God we serve.

Before I left Peru I made a list of things I was looking forward to coming home to and things I was sad to be leaving behind. In my last post, I mentioned that recently I had been dwelling in the past way more than I should be, and I've made a point to do my best to change that. I do miss Peru greatly...the ministry, the kids, my friends, etc. However, since making the mental decision to focus on the here and now, I've been able to see that I am abundantly blessed here in the United States, also. My friends are different, my ministry is different, and the kids I work with are definitely not orphans, but I still have a very important role here. God is so good, and I'm enjoying being a part of his ultimate plan. Each day is a new opportunity to serve him, and I am making the point to find the blessings in each day.

Just a few things I'm blessed with here in the states.

1. Family: My brother is finally home from college, the noise level has risen in the house, and I'm realizing just how amazing and supportive each member is. My parents are wonderful and my brother is quite the young man.

2. Friends: While spread out across the U.S. it's great to know that a listening ear is just a phone call away. At first it was hard to be back in my hometown (basically all of my friends have moved away), but I've been able to make new friends and see old friends grow in their ministries in their various locations around the world.

3. Job: I never imagined myself teaching Special Education, but I LOVE IT!! It has also made me more aware of things to do or not to do as a regular classroom teacher when working with these unique students. Aside from my students, I work with an amazing, Godly staff, and our PTO deserve an award for going above and beyond the call of duty.

4. Green trees, grass, and rain: I'm not a fan of rain, but the flowers, trees, and bright green grass that result are very beautiful. The dust mountains in Lima were pretty at first, but nothing compares to the fresh flowers and spring air in northern Indiana.

I could go on and on. We serve an almighty God who loves us more than any other creation. It's time we turn to him and begin serving him the way he deserves. Run to him, his arms are open wide, and he's waiting to pour out his blessings on your life as well.

Countdown!!

47 days until I'm back in the other country I like to call home...PERU!!!

I love countdowns! I'm not sure it's a good thing, but it seems I'm always counting down something, looking forward to what's next. I used to think of myself as a future focused person because of all the countdowns I constantly had going on whether in my head or on paper. However, recently I've found myself living in the past, present, and future depending on the time of day.

I'm enjoying living in the moment at this point in time. I have been blessed with a great job (for a few months at least), I am surrounded by people who love me, I've made some wonderful friends (or gotten to know others better) since returning home, and I've gotten involved with Zumba which I absolutely love. I enjoy my life, and I look forward to each new day.

However, sometimes I wonder if I think way too much of my time in Peru. I'm always remembering the most random things. Some days it's my friends, some days it's the children who I fell in love with at Kids Alive, and occassionally I'll hear sounds or smell things as if I were there. Like yesterday for example...

I was sitting in my room, enjoying a very relaxing day when all the sudden I had a memory of a day out with a friend. However, the memory had nothing to do with what I did with that particular friend, but it dealt more with our departing and the what seemed to be LONG bus ride home. I remembered just what I was listening to on my iPod, the smell of the (I assume to be) drunk man next to me, and the kind, elderly woman who offered to hold my bag for me as I stood on the crowded bus. I closed my eyes to hold back tears as I longed to be there reliving the moment, and I was overcome by the sights I saw on the way home. As I rode the bus back to my apartment, I saw buildings I saw just about every other day (or at least every time I got out to this part of the city), but that night they weren't just buildings on the street. The sunset was so gorgeous behind them that the dust covered buildings glowed so brightly. I remember thinking of God in a new way that evening. I remember thinking, "If the sunset could make a dirty, old building look that good; then what could I look like if I allowed God to fully shine in me?" This day in general was a pivotal moment of my time in Peru. I believe it was this day, in the early part of October where I really began to feel completely comfortable in my surroundings. And on top of that, little did I know that that day would be just the beginning of a great friendship.

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to travel back to Peru for a few weeks this summer. I can't wait!!!

47 dias mas :D

Lead By Example

My heart breaks for those that do not know the healing power and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of this desire to reach the lost world for Christ is why I love being a teacher. If I can have an impact on even one child who then leads by example for his/her peers, then I will have accomplished my goal (or at least one of the many).
Today one of my students asked why we get Friday off in addition to the week long spring break coming up. I explained to him that Friday was 'Good Friday' to which he responded by telling me he didn't know what that meant or why it was significant. I went on to explain why we celebrate Good Friday which in turn allowed me to share a bit about Easter with him. That's the neat thing about where I work...I may work in a public school, but as long as my students are asking the questions, I can answer them with the truth that I know about Jesus Christ.

I explained the meaning of Good Friday and Easter to this particular student. When I finished he told me he wasn't fond of Easter and that just broke my heart. Intrigued, I asked why he felt that way. The child went on to tell me that one Easter he walked into the living room to find his mom and sister watching Chukie (a scary movie about a doll), and since then whenever he thinks of Easter he sees scary images of the doll in his mind. Therefore, he does not like Easter.

I was disgusted at this point. And my mind began to spin...
1. I know the sister is not old enough to be watching that movie as it is rated R.
2. How sad that such a sacred, special day has been ruined for this boy because of an image he saw on tv or a scene he saw in a movie.
3. This child must not know Jesus Christ and his love and mercy. If he only knew what Christ had done for him, those images would be overwritten with the death of our Saviour on the cross.

As class wrapped up I didn't get to share much more with this particular student, but he's been on my mind numerous times throughout the day. As a teacher, I pray for my students. This little conversation today made it all the more important for me that praying for my students no longer an option but a priority.

As adults we have a major influence on the young children around us. Kids are always watching for our actions and reactions, and they will often follow in our footsteps. It is important that we adults set the best possible example so that we do not lead these dear children astray. Each day, I witness firsthand how children are affected by the choices of the adults surrounding them.

Ironically a friend posted this video on his facebook page today. It fits perfectly with the topic at hand. Take a moment to watch and see how closely the children in the video follow the example set by the adult they are with.

Summary

If you've kept up with my blogging, you've most likely read all of the following before. However, I typed out a summary of my four months to share at church on Sunday, and I thought since I never really did a full summary on here, I'd post it for anyone who may be interested. Read as much or as little as you desire :)

I want to start by saying thank you to all of you for your support while I was teaching in Peru; you’re financial support and prayers were much appreciated and did not go unnoticed.


I remember a year ago; I would pray each day that as I looked for a teaching job, God would make it clear just where I was supposed to be. I remember praying, “God help me to be willing to go wherever you send me.” I thought often of Isaiah 6:8 which says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

During the mission trip to Peru in June, I remember sitting in the living room of the mission team apartment one evening talking with Tony Troeger. I told him that I couldn’t imagine my first teaching job being overseas, but I thought I’d like to do it eventually. However, when it came time to leave at the end of the 10 days, I was torn. When we got home I knew I had to go back to Peru and I had to go back soon. There was no way I could wait until the next mission trip in 2 years.

I applied to various schools trying to find the place God wanted me while also keeping in mind my financial need and my monthly loan bills. I felt defeated as I hit one dead end after another, praying to God that if he wanted me to go he would open the perfect door. I had heard about Lima International School of Tomorrow through a friend that attended there. When I emailed them I got an almost immediate response that they needed me as soon as I could get there. Turns out the elementary teacher had moved back to Canada just days prior to my email, and they were desperate to fill the position. They offered me a small monthly salary, and I was able to raise support for the rest. I was nervous about going to a place so far from home and so different from everything I knew, but I knew without a doubt that this was where God wanted me, and I went.

The school I worked for was very different from anything I’ve ever seen before. I taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade in the same classroom – 31 students altogether. When I first began, I did very little teaching. The way the school operates is through individual student goals at their level. Basically that means each of my students was tested when they enrolled in the school, and they were assigned a workbook for each subject based on how they scored in that area. My students would sit in their 3 walled desk/offices and read page after page and fill in blanks in their workbooks. When they completed a workbook (about every 2 weeks) they would take a test over the book’s content. If they passed they moved up to the next book. This was not my style of teaching, and slowly over time the principal allowed me to change a few things so that I could teach an English lesson each day and do a read aloud/comprehension lesson with my students as well.

I really struggled with the program the school used, but I tried to keep my head up. The principal allowed me to make a few changes, but the basic program could not be changed. I was also able to share some American traditions with my students such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. We went on a field trip to a Petting Zoo/Amusement Park, and my students did a very good job putting on plays about the book of Acts for the school’s 15th anniversary. I knew that God wanted me in Peru, and this school was his way of getting me there.

While teaching is my passion and it was the thing that got me back to Peru, the children at the Kids Alive home stole my heart more each day. I volunteered about 2 nights a week at the orphanage helping with homework, chores, or just hanging out with the kids. I also attended devotions with the children each week. I looked forward to these nights, and sometimes I’d go over on an off night just to play. I helped babysit one day while the “mamas” went to a women’s retreat. I helped one of the missionaries teach the kids about American Thanksgiving, and we had each child make a turkey by tracing their hand on construction paper and adding colored feathers with things they were thankful for. We also prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for the children and everyone else that helps Kids Alive – there were over 80 people that shared dinner with us that evening. We made Christmas ornaments from dough and allowed the kids to paint them, and I got to see the Christmas program the children put on for their families during the December visit day.

I was fortunate to live just 2 blocks from the children’s home and about 3 blocks from the other missionaries’ apartments. No matter how often I went to the home, the kids always came running wanting hugs, piggy back rides, or homework help. (Not often do you see a kid excitedly beg you to sit with them while they do their homework.) I loved it! I would often leave feeling refreshed and energized. The joy these kids showed was humbling.

Outside of school and volunteering with Kids Alive, I met a lot of really great people and had tons of fun with my new friends. Some of the Kids Alive missionaries joined with Peruvian friends, and we had dinner and Bible study together every Thursday. I got involved in a Hillsong based church in Lima and really enjoyed the Friday night young adult meetings. I was able to go to the Independence Day parade and a Hillsong United concert. I also went to a surfing competition and saw two professional ballets – one being the Nutcracker. For my birthday, I was sung to in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and I had cake shoved in my mouth by a few different people. Peruvians love showing off their country, so I saw many sides of Lima I hadn’t seen before. I also got to take a trip up into the Andes Mountains to the city of Huancayo one weekend. It was beautiful there!

My last week in Peru was heart wrenching. I was so excited to get home and see my family for Christmas, but I did not want to leave the kids or my friends behind. They had all taught me so much about what it means to fully rely on God and trust him with my innermost being. My friends were especially amazing that week and had all kinds of outings planned for me. A few teachers took me out to get pedicures and manicures - they’re really cheap there. My friends planned a day at the beach, but due to cloudy, misty weather we ended up going to a food festival and the zoo instead. They also had a more formal despedida or good-bye party for me where we went out for dinner and then to a friend’s house for a time of worship and prayer. Everyone said parting words to me and I too had to say parting words to them. I’ll never forget that night. The children at the home also had a good-bye party for me complete with piñata filled with candy, confetti, and baby powder. (If you went to Peru in 2007, you know what I’m talking about.) The kids all had kind words to say to me, and quite a few of them cried when telling me good-bye. My heart was broken.

Peru changed me for the better I believe. I learned to trust God a lot more than I ever had before and to allow him to be in control. I learned not to settle for complacency but to always be seeking God and growing in Him. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my time in Peru and look forward to the day when I will be able to return.

Missions Video

I compiled pictures of my Peru trip as well as pictures of a friend's volleyball team and their trip to the Dominican Republic to produce a video for Mission Sunday at church. Watch and enjoy :)
(My pictures start at about 2:30 if you want to skip ahead; however, I would recommend watching the DR pictures, too. They are pretty inspiring!!)

If I learned nothing else during my time in Peru, I learned to be vulnerable and give my life fully to the work of the Lord. By doing so, God has been able to move in my life in more ways than I ever imagined. I've grown so much, and I've been taken to places I never dreamed of going. I have been forever changed by my experience. I'm living each day in anticipation of what God will teach me that day. It's such an amazing feeling to be held in the hands of the Father.