Hard to believe I am in my second week here already! The beginning part of this week was very difficult for me. I think that the newness of being here began to wear off, and I had a day or two of really missing home, feeling very alone. It was tough, but God is bringing me through that, and my prayers have been for a renewed sense of strength and a renewed sense of joy to be here. God has definitely heard my prayers and I have had much encouragment. Eric gave me a care package before I left for GUAT, and it had cards/letters from some of you back home. I opened a couple of the cards this week and they were very encouraging, so thank you guys for thinking of me! Sunday, Britney and I went to the church here…The pastor's name is Mario and he has a powerful testimony. It is quite different from church back home, but very solid. The music is wonderful…it pretty much goes on forever 🙂 Church here lasts for about 2.5 hours. There was a group from KY visiting this Sunday, so Britney translated for all of the gringos (me included:). I had more visits to the homes of some of the women in the cooking school this week. Oh, how I love to hear their testimonies and to get to know them outside of their work/school! Today, I went to Alma and Karen's homes. Each of them live with thier mother/father in law and have only one room for their family. In Alma's family, 4 of them (2 children and mom/dad) sleep in the same bed in the same
small room and in Karen's home, it's the same except they only have one child, so just three of them. Of course each of them cried as they gave me their testimonies….soo many problems. I can't wait to share my testimony with all of them because Antointette tells me that they think that people from the States are perfect with no problems. Boy, are they deceived!
The kids in the cooking school are really beginning to take me in as one of their own here. I saw one of the little girls (Carmen) in the street today, and she ran so fast…i thought she was running to someone else, but no, she ran up and jumped up in my arms! Wow….talk about awesome! Also, when I am out at the tiendas or walking with Antoinetta to visit families or whatever, I almost always see someone that I have met/visited with, and I am always greeted with a smile and conversation. I definitely feel that I am accepted here and feel like I live here. I want to leave you with this scripture that has encouraged me when I am feeling alone and missing home. “I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
-Isaiah 41:9-10