How He Loves Us

I was overwhelmed in church tonight as I could really feel just how much God loves us. It's enough to bring you to your knees for sure. I am so unworthy of the love, the grace, the mercy He gives me, yet He freely gives it. I became aware that when I sin, I am nailing my Savior to the cross. I am spitting in the face of God, and I nearly broke down at this thought. I pray I can remain pure and holy and set my mind on things above!

Seven months ago when I did a google search for short-term mission opportunities, I never imagined God had all this in store. It seemed like an small part of my life, but God knew, and again that is overwhelming. "He works all things together for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28. I know the Lord has my life in His hands. He has the whole world in His hands!!

Today was an exciting day as I drew blood for the first time! Now the guy's veins were HUGE so I really couldn't miss, but I was still really excited about it. I also saw pinworms in a stool sample, and that was pretty neat because I knew what it was before she told me! Thank you Organismal Biology! I've learned so much in the lab, and I really enjoy the company of the ladies in there.

I officially feel like a part of the community of Jucuapa. I walk around town and stop to talk to people I know from church or the clinic (in Spanish!). Even if my Spanish is less than up to par, I do my best to fellowship and encourage people I know. I feel very at home, and I know these people have so willingly accepted me into their lives. I definitely feel like part of the Rodriguez family as well. I already know that when the time comes to leave in 3.5 weeks, it will be very difficult.

On Saturday I am going to a Quincinera, and Patti (my friend from the lab) wants to straighten my hair and do my finger nails. Again, I feel like I truly am friends with these people, and it is amazing. Mi mama brought out two "dresses" for Lainey and I to try on for Saturday. We were dying laughing. 1. because they are so different looking 2. because they aren't exactly our personality. But you can be the judge.

Almost ready to go. Now we just need shoes, hair, make up, and jewelry according to mama

I thank God every single day for the blessings I receive. Thank you for your prayers!

Even the Very Hairs on your Head are Numbered

Today was another incredibly blessed day. I cannot begin to tell you the joy I feel here in El Salvador. I am constantly in the presence of the Lord, and I am surrounded by such wonderful people. I do believe Lainey and I officially became part of the Rodriguez family. Timmy, Sammy, Lainey, and I all pitched in to make the secret family pancakes. Did you know it's not as hard as it looks to flip a pancake with just the pan? The whole family sat down to breakfast, and we practiced our spanish as we told them about our families. Again, it was the perfect Sunday morning. Miguel offered me some incredibly encouraging words about God's sovereignty, and I realized just how right he was. "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than the sparrows." Matthew 10:30-31.

God has a plan for my life. He has every moment in His hands. He knew I'd be coming to El Salvador in 2012 before I knew how to walk. He has something planned for me, and I praise Him for whatever that is. I am already so incredibly blessed to have lived the life I have. God has always provided, and I've definitely been blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends. I have so much to be thankful for, and I have joy in the Lord.

Church was wonderful, and I even caught MOST of the sermon. It was on obedience, and I couldn't help but reflect on Christ's obedience. He was obedient, even to death on a cross. I want to be obedient to God's will in this way.

After church we had a wonderful trip to Chinameca for a festival. We ate some delicious street vendor food and had a wonderful afternoon of fellowship. I had camarones on a stick...so shrimp shishkabobs. Delicioso. It was just wonderful to be so accepted, I truly feel like part of this family.

                                         Timmy chowing down on a burrito in Chinameca

Sunday nights at cell group are always a special treat because it is clear just how powerful God can move. Nearly 40 kids show up every Sunday to memorize bible verses, hear bible stories, and play games. These kids are the poorest in Jucuapa and many of them come without their parents. It reminds me of how the little kids came unto Jesus, and it is a trulyl beautiful site.

                                                 Mi madre y padre para seis semanas


Thank you for your prayers! They definitely have not gone unappreciated because it is your prayers that have made this such a blessing.

Walking with Jesus

Today was a day of firsts. I had my first public bus ride, my first taxi ride, and my first eggnog ice cream with raisins. After a half day at the clinic, Lainey and I were invited to travel to San Miguel with Miriam and her two kids Lydia and Joel. It was quite an experience catching a bus and just following along when we had no idea what was going on. Our first taxi driver practiced some english with us which was a plesant surprise. Then when we arrived at the mall, we had chinawok. I gotta say it wasn't the best chinese I've had..... and I felt pretty sick afterwards. It was a great trip though. I loved watching Joel, who is 7, light up every time he saw a toy helicopter. And Miriam is one of the funniest people I know, and I can't even understand her! ha ha. When we decided to get ice cream I was overwhelmed by them shouting questions at me in spanish so I just pointed to a flavor. That's when I experienced eggnog with raisins... I hated it, but apparently it is very popular here... go figure. We also went to an arcade, and again I was struck by the normality of life here. Five of us played multiple games of air hockey, and it was the most fun I've had in a while. Then Lainey and I had a showdown at dance dance revolution. Lainey drew a crowd with her particularly poor dancing, but it was a blast.

When we finally got a taxi and chased down an overly crowded bus, I had time to think about my day. I realized I'd been walking with Jesus today. I saw Him in Joel's smile, in Miriam's laughter, and in Lydia's gentle spirit. I've been in Jucuapa two weeks, and today I was treated like family. It was like Lainey and I were long time family friends. In no time, this family, and other families have welcomed us into their lives with open arms. Isn't that what Jesus does? He loves us with open arms no matter what. He does not ask how we've sinned, what we've done wrong, who we are....He just invites us to come to Him. I couldn't help but think that you never know where you're gonna meet Jesus.

We finally got to the church, tonight was youth group, and we wre only 1 hour late. :) It's okay because we're on El Salvador time. We played games, and I felt so much like myself. I cut loose and made jokes. I did not skimp on my smiles and laughter, and I just loved on people. Sometimes people just need to be loved on you know? Maricela asked me to french braid her hair, which I've done once on an American girl doll....but I gave it my best shot. Then another girl asked me, and I was defeated by her layers.. I'm clearly gonna need to practice. We had bible trivia also, and I can tell I'm definitely picking up on this spanish thing. I could understand about half of the questions without Sammy translating for me. By the time I leave, I'll be fluent!

I praise God for the time I've had here so far, and I thank Him for the experiences I am yet to have. These next four weeks will go by so fast, so I pray I do not waste a moment, but that I am a humble servant unto the Lord every second.

Tomorrow morning Timmy and I are making pancakes!! Yum

No mas aburrimiento

Praise God for a FABULOUS day. One word I've definitely had ingrained in my mind since I've arrived is aburrido, I am bored. While the clinic has been fantastic, there are many days that are very slow, and yes I get bored. But today I had a change of scenery. Instead of being with the nurses, I spent the day in the laboratory.

It was a familiar place for a biology major.  There were centrifuges, microscopes, test tubes and more. I couldn't do any of the work, but I got to see so many cool things. I saw crystals in urine, parasites in feces, various cells in blood, and so much more. It was a day full of learning, and if I thought biology was fun in english, it is even MORE fun in spanish. My brain was working on full power today as I tried to translate everything that was being said to me while learning new procedures. But I loved it. I love learning, and the women in the lab were a lot of fun. The best part was probably cleaning out the test tubes that had clotted blood in them... j/k. It was neat though.

The best part was after we'd cleaned the lab up, the lab tech taught Patti and I how to do a platelet count. The slide ws split into quadrants on a grid, and we had to count the platelets in five different quadrants. At the end, Patti and I had both counted 50 while the lab tech got 51. Success!

I have saved the best for last though. On top of a great day in the laboratory, I got to watch the extraction of lymphoma. Dr. Araujo removed two lymphocytes from behind a man's ear. While he numbed the area, the man was still awake so to get his mind off the surgery, we played his favorite music. Metallica. I can't explain the smile I had on my face as Dr. Araujo sung and grooved while stiching up a man's ear. Good times. Small blessings.

Now to switch subjects a little bit. I've noticed a few things that you'd never see in America.
1. Cows blocking the road
2. Men with BIG guns guarding every store
3. Men walking down the road with machettes
4. Lots of public drunkedness
5. Washing every coverslip, every test tube, every microscope slide

In America we are much more wasteful. In the lab at school we just throw away our slides when we're done, but here we washed every single one. It just made me think of how priveleged we are in America, and how much more grateful we should be. I am reminded every day of how God blesses me, and how unworthy I am. Yet instead of giving me what I deserve, he has forgiven me and promised me eternal life with Him. Wow God's grace is so powerful, so wonderful. I praise Him today and everyday!

Dios Le Bendiga

There is no one like Our God

It was a slow day in the clinic today, but like 1 Corinthians 15:58b says, nothing I do is a waste of time or effort because I know I am doing the work of the Lord. Leave it to the nurses to make you feel better about a break up. They sure do crack me up. Dr. Franco also brought me some "paterna" to try. It's this really interesting fruit. Be sure to check my facebook for pictures of it. It was pretty good though. My favorite part of my day at the clinic was talking to William. If I do nothing else while here in El Salvador, I hope I can get him to smile a little more. He is the technology trouble shoot guy for the clinic, and he is very pessimistic. His english is pretty good, but he constantly says it is terrible, and he almost never smiles. We cracked a few out of him today though.

After the clinic, I was so blessed by the prayer meeting at the church. We had some amazing worship, and it was clear God was there. Although we sang it in spanish, I had the words "There is no one like Our God" branded in my mind. How true is that? There really is no one like our God. There is no one else who is always by our side. There is no one else who can wash us white as snow with the blood of the lamb. There is no one else who loves us like God loves us. I was overwhelmed. Miguel preached for a short time, but the only bit I caught was about having faith like a mustard seed. There was a very drunk man who wandered in and sat at the stairs of the church listening, but he kept yelling, so they led him out. I was very upset by this though. Aren't these the people that need to hear the word? Aren't these the people we should be preaching to?

When we came to our time of prayer, everyone got on their knees and prayed to God. It was clear the holy spirit was moving. I prayed for that drunk man. I pray that he heard something tonight that begins to stir in his heart. It was good to stop and talk to God. I don't do it enough. Prayer is one thing I struggle to do on a consistant basis. But tonight I told God everything, and I surrendered it all to Him. I cannot continue to try to plan my life like I do. Besides God already has it worked out, so I will faithfully serve Him while I wait for my next step.

Lainey, unfortunately, is VERY sick. Please pray for her. It's bad enough to be sick, but it is even harder to be sick in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. I am feeling much better though, so thank you very much for your prayers. I am blessed to have strong believers praying for me.

After dinner, I came back to the Rodriguez's to find a house full of people, and the stove was fired up. There were some people from Honduras visiting, and they were cooking some sort of Honduran food. I tried a bit, and it was delicious, but I'd already had dinner. I felt very at home though, as I sat surrounded by smiling, loving people. There is something special about sharing a meal together and with laughter filling the room. I didn't understand most of the conversation, but Timmy was kind enough to keep me clued in.

I'm beginning to adjust to life here, and I'm sure as soon as I do, I will be thrust back into a new environment. I worry about going from six weeks of this to six weeks in a lab working with DNA. I feel so at home when I am serving like this. There's something so wonderful about serving the Lord so intentionally every day. I want my whole life to be spent serving My God.

Now, I simply pray that God reveal to me my next step after El Salvador and after Emory & Henry. I know He has great things in store for me, and I trust in Him.

Dios Le Bendiga

That Still Small Voice

The presence of God is so peaceful and so wonderful. I am so thankful for church this morning. Even though I did not understand what was said this morning, I felt the presence of God. There was so much worship and praise, and even the sermon was a blessing. I don't know exactly what was said, but it was on Jeremiah 18:1-6. I am clay in the potter's hand, and I will allow Him to mold me.

I'm really beginning to love it here. I have seen so much love, and I even feel useful. In church, I ran the powerpoint which was actually a lot more difficult than it sounds. In the afternoon, we went to a dance practice for a Quincinera, and somehow we got dragged into dancing. It was definitely an experience, and unfortunately there was a video taken. I'll try to put it up on youtube at somepoint. The Quincinera is on June 2nd, and I am really excited to experience this culture in that way.

On Sunday night we always do a cell group in the very poor part of Jucuapa. The kids are all dressed in the same outfit they wore a week ago, and they are covered in dirt. They only get running water to their houses about two days out of the week. We picked up a man on the way who was very drunk. Both his legs are broken because he fell out of a coconut tree while he was drunk. His daughter broke both her arms trying to pick fruit to sell for their family because they have absolutely no money. It really was a heart-breaking situation. We have so much in America, and we still complain. Please keep this family and the many other families like them in your prayers.

Remember, the Lord your God is always with you.

When the Waters Rise

"When the waters rise, around me I am safe, in the valley Lord, you are near always!"

They sure were right in orientation when they said the enemy would attack. In one short week, I've felt so much be attacked. Things I love being taken away, and now even my health has been taken. Today the nurse became the patient. I have been feeling sick the past few todays, but when I woke up this morning, I knew it had gotten bad. I went to see Dr. Araujo at the clinic, and it turns out I have some kind of infection. I didn't quite catch what with all the spanish, but I believe its something with my throat... idk. It sure feels an awful lot like walking pnuemonia to me. Regardless, I will not let this stop me from the ministry God has called me to here. Satan can attack me as much as he wants, but My God is greater, My God is stronger. And My God never lets go of me.

I've noticed some things are different here in El Salvador as far as the way they approach medicine. My first observation was that they give a whole lot of shots here. It turns out that most of the shots they give are a mixture of various vitamins. The doctor explained to me that since people eat so many carbohydrates here and very few vegetables, they give people vitamin shots to compensate. I don't understand why they can't just eat better. From what I can observe, it seems like preventitive medicine education is needed here. A lot of these problems can be fixed if people knew the proper way to take care of themselves. I was also confused by my prescriptions today. While yes I was prescribed an antibiotic, I also was prescribed acetaminophen. Isn't that just an ingredient in a lot of pain killers like tylonel? Why would he prescribe that? It seemed odd. They also run a WHOLE lot of tests. They almost never make a diagnosis without lots of lab work. It just doesn't seem as efficient as in America. But they have their way of doing things and it works for them.

I have been so blessed by the hospitality and love everyone here as shown me. I hope that I can only return that same love. There is so much opportunity for evangelism here. There are drunk people at every corner, and many of them are even outside the church. I will continue to pray that God shows me how I can evangelize in a place that I do not know the language. The gospel is so important, and I want everyone to hear it. Lord use me.