And when school resumes, I will return to Cleveland Elementary as a full-time Educational Assistant (fancy name for a teacher’s aide :) where I will work with Spanish-speaking students who need to learn English. It’s a perfect fit for this season of life as I will get to use Spanish daily but not have the full workload of a teacher. I get to love on kids and be loved by them and also form stronger relationships with the staff. I’m a little nervous to be full-time at an elementary school but am trusting it will draw me closer to the Lord as I rely on Him for love, energy, and patience for each day.
I’m also a little nervous to go back to full-time work. I never understood how people could be “raising support full-time,” until I started to develop partners myself. I can’t expect others to understand the process. I just need to confess that I’m anxious about trying to find balance in my life while working full-time at school and continuing to develop partners for the ministry in Spain. Please pray for me that I can trust God fully one day at a time, trusting Him for today, and leaving tomorrow in His hands too. Our God is the all-powerful, all-sustaining, life-giving God who meets all our needs. I can and will trust in Him, but I ask for your help to do that.
Thank you all for your support, love, encouragement, and sacrifice to be part of the ministry in Spain. I cannot seem to find the words to express how thankful I am for you. Each time I read through your names in my partnership files or think of you, I am moved to gratitude and awe. It’s so humbling that you would desire to take part of this ministry and help me get to Spain. And yet I’m reminded that it’s not about me, you’re in this for the Lord. I’m so thankful that God has united our lives to change lives in Spain. Please be encouraged and know that you are essential to the eternal changes God is making in Spanish people’s lives. You are so important in this ministry. Thank you for making a difference!
A trip to Spain!
On Wednesday, September 11 (please pray for safety!), I will fly out from Chicago and land in Madrid, Spain on Thursday morning. My Spanish friend, Carmen, will be married on Saturday, and I will spend the days leading up to the wedding with her and her family. Her family has graciously offered to let me stay with them even against my protest as I don’t want to add to their stress, but they insist. I am so thankful that God has given me this friendship with Carmen and is allowing me to be part of this special time in her life. I’m so excited for her and am really looking forward to her wedding day!
Since a typical Spanish afternoon wedding has the ceremony at 6:00 (yes, that's the afternoon in Spain), dinner from 9:30-11:30, and dancing until 4 a.m., I’ll take Sunday to sleep a little bit and be with Carmen’s family. Then, I will join the World Team staff on Monday, Sept. 16 and be with them until I fly home on Monday, Sept. 23. During this week that I’m with World Team, I will be visiting the different teams in Spain. World Team has missionaries in 9 or 10 different cities, and I will be visiting as many of the teams as I can to get a feel for what city is the best fit for me to serve in.
The team and I will take time after my visit to pray about where God might use me (and you!). We pray for our hearts to be aligned for the same place. Please join us in prayer for this time that I’m in Spain. Pray that God would lead us to know where He wants to use me (and you!) in Spain and make it clear to the whole team.
