Walking to the Campfire and "A for Apple"

Just what in the world does this post's title mean?? As always there's a story to tell.

While home in the States, God allowed me to hear story after story of children and the effect an adult can have on them. I heard of children living in difficult circumstances yet there was that one neighbor or aunt or teacher that believed in them, that loved them and encouraged them. On the other hand I heard of other children who never had anyone on their side.

Time after time the word "love" would resound in my heart listening to these stories. These children either had or needed someone to love them which entails instructing them, caring for them, encouraging them and so much more. But the "love" that is complete...is God's love! So I began praying the Lord would use me to be His hands and feet in specifically loving children. As the months continued I prayed specifically about teaching upon my return to Argentina.

A few weeks after arrival one night I was walking to our Friday night campfire and along comes a missionary couple, Israel and Julie, heading the same direction. We began chatting and we found out that both Julie and I love to go out and walk for exercise. Yeah!! Little did we know that the Lord had WAY MORE in mind than just walking!!

She and I began our walking schedule and the hours we spent together were edifying and definitely God's plan. You see Julie is the current 1st grade teacher at the bilingual school. She lent her ear, she prayed for me and very objectively shared what she saw God doing in me. So after months of praying, I knew it was the Lord leading me to teach this year. And wouldn't you know it?!?! I will be with Julie in HER classroom and will soon take over her class. Of all the missionaries here, God sent Julie, the 1st grade teacher, to walk past my apartment that one fateful night in January!

SOOO....tomorrow, March 2nd we'll begin teaching English to 30 little precious kiddos. We start with the vowels so you see a walk to the campfire has everything to do with "A for apple"!!

Please pray we will be God's instruments to love, encourage, instruct and care for these little lives and that above all they would not only feel HIS love, but come to know His love through faith in Jesus Christ.

CAMP TRIALS

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4


I arrived back to Argentina in the 3rd of 7 weeks of our summer camps. Thankfully I moved to a more spacious apartment the very day I arrived. From that day on, I had issue after issue with tangible items that are part of my life and ministry. My bike was in repair for 4 weeks. My computer crashed and I lost my hard disk with all the information. I didn't have internet for 3 weeks. Part of my washing machine broke while I was in the States. My camp scholarship project fliers unexpectedly arrived weeks after camp began (YIKES!!!).


Camp is my favorite time of year and yet I just couldn't seem to enjoy it as years past as I was spending more time dealing with personal items than getting to know the campers and hearing their testimonies.

Admittedly I struggled. It was His Word, the prayers of some dear friends and His faithfulness that brought me through every one of those "issues" that was vying to discourage and distract me from His powerful work at camp. I can say God provided for my bike and computer repair and a new washing machine!! The only "issue" is getting a new internet service provider.

I remembered as I prayed Psalm 63:1-8 to Him, I came to realize something. He showed Himself to me in the depths of my heart before the "issues" were resolved. What an awesome God He is! He desires intimacy with us first and foremost. I thank Him for these trials. Although each of them had implications on my health or ministry, they were just "things".