Triqi Woman

A quick story:

Yesterday after English classes me, Elizabeth, and Christy were out looking for food. While sitting in the centro on some stairs we gave a homeless lady some cornbread one of our guys had made for class and it was obvious that she wasnt understanding Spanish (she is probably from a mixtec village) so we kind of lost hope with that cause. A couple seconds later a lady clothed in Triqi village clothing came up to us and asked if we could buy her some water, she was staying the night on the street because she couldnt afford a ticket back to her village. This lady has diabetes and came in to town to try to get help, her legs are swollen and she cant walk well. I told her that we could pray for her first and then we would buy water. We prayed for a while and then Pam found us and stopped to pray too. Pam is fluent in Spanish so it was helpful for her to be praying in Spanish. We found out the lady believes in Jesus and wants to be part of the body of Christ but there are no other believers in her village. I think its so cool how God used us to take care of her while she was in need! No healing took place but I believe the encouragement we gave her is what God wants to provide her right now. So, after buying her water and a blanket we went back to the apartment...

This is where the story would have ended if I wasnt learning to listen to God´s still small voice, but that is definately a huge lesson that I have been expiriencing ... I was very uneasy when we got back, didn´t feel like we finished everything He wanted us to do. We prayed as a group and the same thought came to a couple of us girls, that lady was going to sleep with us in our little apartment. We set up a makeshift bed and went back to get her. She was half asleep on the street and I felt overwhelming compassion for her. It was soo cool bringing her back to our room and being able to literally minister to the ¨poor and needy like the Bible says to do.
She is staying with us again tonight and tomorrow we will help her get back to her village, Pam is also setting up some disciplship with one of her disciples so that the lady can be part of a home church in a nearby Triqi village. I also want to pray again for healing tonight.

I was definately convicted through this expirience though. I think when I am in observer mode I realize a lot more about the selfish mindset of man. I wonder if God looks down and cries when we walk past homeless people and give up chances to pray for people and help them. I was really aware of all the Mexicans walking by ignoring this lady- and I was probably a little mad at them. Yet I know I do the same things in the States.

I hope this encourages you... you can totally be in Gods will doing His work anywhere, just be ready because when you are willing He WILL use you and it can be scary and uncomfortable! ,-) There are people in need all around you!

This week has been full of learning and teaching as we study the Bible and teach english. I am starting to really love my students as I spend 2 hours with them everyday. Its a lot of work but totally worth it because they are so eager to learn.
THe team is seeing God´s hand in everything we do as He opens doors for people to share the gospel and to minister to peoples needs. It´s so exciting to be a part of the ministry here as we learn and grow together as a team. With only 19 days left I am excited to see what else He is going to do. On Tuesday I have a lunch date with a friend in town and I am planning on sharing some of the gospel with her, be praying for that. I know others in my group are in the middle of sharing the gospel with some of their friends too.
This weekend we got to climb a nearby mountain and pray over the city, it was soo beautiful at the top and an awesome day. We also got a huge taste of the culture at a Quinceanos. The party was crazy, decorated like a wedding reception with a huge meal and presentation and band and dancing. It was fun, the mexicans dragged all of us american girls from our seats to dance around. We probably looked pretty stupid, actually i know we did cause everyone was staring at us, but it was fun.
I got sick afterwards, I guess my stomach still isnt used to the food, I pray that its the last time though. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Pictures will be coming this week if I can get it to work!

Faithful

It has been a buuuusy week! Teaching English for 4 hours a day can get pretty tiring! We have also been learning about different Christian topics and rediscovering what they mean in the Bible. Its interesting to take topics like Baptism, Salvation and Church and see what the Bible actually says about it apart from the Western church religions. You would be very suprised!

Apart from the busyness we have been having a blast and seeing God move in amazing ways. Satan has definately been attacking the group, which makes sense that he would try to cause problems. One specific example of this is sickness. I think everyone has expirienced some weird sickness since we have been here and it is so distracting and annoying. Prayer is powerful though and it has been awesome to see God heal people. One cool example is from this past week. A girl in our group, Abby, was feelings sick for two days...I wont go into details but the day after she was really sick she was ono the couch crying while we were preparing our english lessons. We prayed for her and kept working while she layed down. Later when the guys came inside we decided to pray again. Gathered around her everyone prayed in unity for healing, we thanked God and just trusted that He was taking away the pain. I layed my hands on her stomach and it was so cool, right after that the pain was gone. She has been completely fine since then. Praise God! He is faithful. I have also been able to share that story with some friends in town and it is a great testimony of our God.
We have been building some great relationships with out students and learning a ton about discipleship and planting churchs. Overall I am tired, excited and loving my time here...only one more month left!