Wow. I'm really bad at this. Let's see. I've experienced more here than I could ever tell you. This week we are preparing to leave for Nicaragua. We will be there from Monday to Saturday. I figured It was time to update you.
I left the program for 3 weeks in February because of my dad. They found another tumor in his brain so he had emergency surgery and I went home to help out and support my family. That was a hard time for me, I didn't know if I would come back to finish the program or not. But thats only part of the journey, Let me back up.
In October (october 29th to be exact) I was having a major battle with the Lord. I wouldn't let Him in. I wouldn't love Him. Part of me wanted to but part of me was so angry, so scared, that I couldn't do it. That whole week I battled. My friend/Mentor/Bible Teacher's wife Rebekah listened, cried and fought with me. Poor Bekah, she listened to a lot of confessions that week. Finally, Friday we had our "Fall Festival" and as soon as I could, I left without being noticed. I went to my room by myself and cried and laughed and sang and screamed. Thank Goodness my roommates were not there. But that night Jesus took my life and made it His. And the next week I was baptized in the Villa Pool.
Fast Forward.......
When we came back from break we spent 2 weeks working at camps. I, along with my church group, went to Camp Brittany, a camp founded by a couple from South Carolina. I spent the whole week before camp with the worst attitude ever. i had my mind set on hating it. But when i got there, everything changed. Nothing that mattered before mattered anymore. My Spanish increased ten-fold. Everything just came together. That was honestly the most God centered time here. I've never felt so much joy in serving. Or in Life. I could talk to for 4,000 years about my experiences at camp.
I am teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) on Sundays, which is great. All of our beginners are coming to church Sunday nights. This ministry is hard, but rewarding. I love every minute of it, watching people begin to communicate with me and having real conversations. Last Saturday, while i was walking with a couple girls to the bus stop, one of our neighbors ran across the street to meet us. When she approached us she was speaking english...shocking!.."Hello! How much do i have to pay you to speak to me and my daughter in english?" All I really wanted to do was hug this lady and tell her how much we and Jesus loved her. But instead, catching my breath I said "Nothing!!" I was elated. We were able to share with her our purpose and tell her about English church and English conversation class. And this Saturday Bekah and I will go talk with her and her daughter. I cannot wait.
Our English church is growing immensely! The "Gringos" (white people) are no longer the majority! Que Bueno!
Even though I am improving and experiencing great things, I am still struggling. Many days, I just want to come home. I hear enemy lies and believe them, most times. Deep friendship bonds are something i struggle with. And I have everything set up for next year which makes me have a hard time being content where I am at. In the fall, I will be going to Aurora University, Which is super exciting. i will be studying to become a special education teacher.
A few weeks ago, the weekend of my birthday in fact, I called my mom and told her how hard of a time I was having. She told me she would be praying that I was encouraged in a special way. The next day, I got ready to go to my spanish church, feeling super discouraged. When I arrived my friend told me that there was someone I had to meet. I went to say hello and be polite, even though I wasn't really feeling the whole "spanish speaking" thing. She was a Gringo, which made my life easier because I didn't have to fumble for words to try and communicate. She told me that she was from Aurora and her husband graduated from AU. My jaw literally dropped to the floor. She went on to tell me she was a singer. "Are you kidding?! Me too!" She wanted to help me with my voice. That's not all, she volunteered to get me plugged in with a church and she wanted to show me around and make me dinner. AND she speaks Spanish so she volunteered to speak only Spanish with me in the States.
Wow God, Wow. I couldn't believe it. What are the chances that I would meet someone from a little town in the States in COSTA RICA?! It still pumps me up today. God is so ridiculous.
If you like to pray:
Our trip to Nicaragua. The local's hearts and our attitudes. Safety through the borders both ways.
Classes. As the year goes on, sitting in Spanish is getting harder and harder.
Lies. The enemy is attacking our group with lies, especially feelings of separation.
Unity for our group.
My Family. Being here far away from my family as my dad starts chemo is really hard. Pray that I would feel confident and peaceful about being so far away.
-Aggie
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