a day in the life of...

it's been a month.

at first we were saying, 'we've only been here for four weeks!' now we're saying 'i can't believe we've been here for a month already!'

cliched, I know, but how time flies...

Since we still only have one car, our lives are continually in limbo; depending almost completely on Manuel/Ceci or Alvin to dictate our days or give us a ride to the office, to campus, to the grocery store, to get mail...We wait with uncertainty to find out what our days will hold - if anything at all. It can be hard and often frustrating not having a schedule yet - but I keep being reminded that this is year one. This is part of the pioneering stage. No, it's not all pretty. Much of it drives us crazy, or teaches us patience I should say...but in the midst of communication barriers and errors, disunity, uncertainty in absolutely everything we do, we can see the hand of God all around us. He's kept us safe. He's kept us healthy (well, not dying anymore at least!). He's blessed us with staff who love us like children. He's provided us safe homes in the midst of extreme poverty and crime...and He's working in students hearts on the campuses where we are starting ministry. No, we don't know what ministry will look like this year. No we don't know what ministry will look like tomorrow...but we do know that we are called to be here, and we are making a difference. Everyone who gave financially so we could be here is making a difference. Everyone who lifts up a prayer. Lives are and will be transformed this year.

Today on campus we met a girl named Stephanie...she loves to speak english and she loves the Lord. Right away we could tell that she was a leader. I always wonder how we end up talking to these students - and then she answered my thoughts and said 'God will bring the right people into your lives. I'm astonished at what you are doing here in my country, but it's good. And God will provide opportunities for you to speak to people who can make a difference.' Couldn't have said it better, Stephanie.

it makes me think of the cards we received from Layo and Luchi the first sticky night we arrived in this beautiful country..."Welcome to El Salvador...and to the most fun, challenging, life-changing, fruitful, and blessed year of your life." Amen!