Practically Speaking English Courses Jinotega, Nicaragua January 21-18, 2012
Buenos Dias! Sunday, January 22
Sunday
morning here in Jinotega started with a sweet time of worship with our
new team. Several of us shared our stories as we get to know each
other. Archie, Mike, Bill and Eliud left early to go back to Puerta
Azules to try again on the well repair. The rest of us went to the
orphanage to deliver some supplies and to visit for a few minutes.
While at the orphanage we were entertained by Linda. Gail began
singing to Linda and after a few minutes baby Linda began singing and
clapping with us. It was a very sweet moment to share together.
After
lunch we went to the school to set up for registration. When we
arrived the keys we had gotten for the principle would not work so we
set up registration on the side walk out in front of the school. We had
no feel for how many people might come. Earlier we had prayed for
God's favor in our efforts and as has been the norm this month God
showed up in an incredible way. I personally was hoping for 250. If we
could somehow someway entice 250 people to sign up that would have been
HUGE! Well God has a bigger plan! We currently have 133 children
registered at 10:00 am, 65 teens registered at 1:30 pm 95 adults
registered for 5:00 pm, and 132 adults registered for 7:00 pm. Glory!
With 425 already registered we are expecting as many as 25 to 30
unregistered students per session. We are all excited and a bit fearful
but expecting great things from our God.
The
guys did not get the well repaired today but they were encourage by the
support from the community. We are going to try again on Wednesday!
Please pray for God's blessing on the well.
God
has proven Himself so faithful in all our work here this month. What
an awesome opportunity it is to be involved in just a small part of what
God is doing in Nicaragua.
To God be the glory great things He is doing!
Monday, January 23
I
am at a loss for an adjective that would convey just what an
incredibly, awesome, powerful, loving, God we serve. Our first day of
class was wonderful. Our team is meshing, God is blessing, and the
people are grateful and hungry to learn. Our first day fears have
subsided and we are excited to see what God has in store!
Read the reflection of one of our first time teachers:
The
first day of teaching was a pleasant surprise. Two words come to mind -
Joy and Appreciation. The Nicaraguans I taught were happy, fun loving
people - always ready to laugh - at me and themselves! They were always
thanking us for coming and giving our time to them. They are eager
students and a delight to teach. God has blessed our effort more than
we could have possibly imagined and I am truly thankful for this
opportunity.
Continue
to pray for God to pour out His grace upon our students. Please pray
for us by name. God knows what each of us needs individually as you lift
up our names to Him. Michelle is doing an awesome job as our
administrator and Children's emcee. I have enjoy observing Roy who
came to do construction, but finds himself involved in everything.
Yesterday at 5:00, He sat in on Mollie and Bill Mc.'s class and
became a group leader by default and from the look on his face loved
every minute of it. I hope I have his energy when I am 84!
We will check in again with more form Jinotega!
Thursday, January 26
We
have had a wonderful time with our students the past two days. We are
making friends and the Holy Spirit is preparing their hearts to receive
the gospel message. Mike began introducing the gospel yesterday by
sharing the story of Nicodemus and how he sought out Jesus to learn more
about the message Jesus was preaching. Pray for us today as we will be
sharing our stories of our encounters with Jesus. Thank you for your
prays and notes of encouragement. We are excited and expecting great
things the next two day!
Reflections
I have to admit
after hearing all the wonderful stories that God had done through the
construction and medical teams I was feeling a little discouraged about
the English school. I was thinking that we are not providing our friends
here at Jinotega with water or medical care and then God showed me
Romans 12: 3-6 "...in accordance with the measure of faith God has given
you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these
members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many
form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have
different gifts, according to the grace given us." God showed me why I
am here and that we are all here for the same purpose and that is to
share Christ's love to the people in Jinotega or in other villages
regardless of which team we are on.
At the beginning
of the week I saw the fear and anxiety as everyone prepared to teach
their "many" students. Nicole, a member of our team from Florida was one
that I have really noticed getting anxious but this morning I heard the
words, "I have no fear at all about teaching." As I have watched her
teach I have noticed those walls that she had up were very quickly
disappearing. She has done an incredible job just as everyone on the
team has. I love seeing God work and take our fears and anxieties and
turn them into strengths. "I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Blessings,
Michelle
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