Settling In

The last couple of weeks have been a tremendous blessing.  The two groups from my home church have come and gone.  There was plenty of laughing, praying and work by these servant minded teams.  Their time here has been bittersweet.  I can’t describe how great its been to have new and old friends from home here.  I also know it isn’t normal to have visitors that are so close to my heart around all the time.  I’m excited to see the other blessings God has in store for me.

It’s also bittersweet that the Work Group Coordinator for the past fifteen years will start a new chapter in his life starting Friday.  Robert has a servant’s heart, an unmatched love for the kids at the mission, and an enthusiasm to make the mission the best it can be.  He has a magical way to make every job assignment be the exact reason you are there.  I sure have my work cut out to replace him.

School is out for the summer, there have been many graduations among the kids.  It’s a milestone in their lives.  It’s hard to imagine the same opportunities an education provides the graduates without the love and direction provided by those in contact with the kids, especially the house parents.

In my devotions this week I saw the Holy Spirit in a different way.  1 Corinthians 3:16 says that the Spirit of God makes his permanent home in you.  We’ve all known the Holy Spirit resides in each Christian additionally, 1 Corinthians 2:11 tells us it is only God’s Spirit that knows and understands Him.  Matthew 3:16 tells of Jesus’ baptism and that the Holy Spirit came down on him when He came out of the water.  It was such a surprise to me that the same Spirit that knows God and His intentions, came down on Jesus, and makes a permanent home in Christians.  It is our selfish sin nature that prevents unity between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Christians.

My prayer requests:

• That the groups from here go home and show how they were changed by their experience here through showing love for others in obvious ways.
• For Robert as he moves his family to Ensenada to start a new chapter in his life.
• That each of the graduates are able to leverage their education to be the person God designed them to be.
• That I continue my adjustment to a new culture, job, and group of people.  That I continue my growth in Christ and am able to show His love to those around me.

Vaya Con Dios