sent by 2

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out his disciples two by two to all the towns to do his work. We studied this passage one day in one of our classes as a little bible study. One of the things that really stuck out to me as we looked at the passage was the fact that Jesus sent them out by two. I have probably read this story a million times and never really noticed this before, but that day it really stuck out to me.
As i began this journey to return to Guatemala to work at NLCH, I thought it was going to be something I did alone(though not completely alone, I knew Jesus would be with me). This made me a little nervous, but I knew that God would supply what I would need to do it. As I continued on in working towards this school and fundraising for Guatemala, I met a girl(Colleen) through facebook who was also wanting to go back to the Children's Home after her internship last fall. We began to call each other and get to know each other a little bit as we both prepared for SOM, where we currently are studying. At the time I thought it would be nice to have a friend to do this with and I was excited to really meet her and get to know her. But after being here for a couple months now, I have found that she has been foundational to my ministry and being at this school. Without her, I'm not sure what I would have done. Jesus definitely knew what he was doing when he planned for us to do this together.
And as we dream together and plan for our ministry in Guatemala with the kids, its crazy how God just continues to use us together. Our goals and visions seem to line up and complete each others. It is something that we probably couldn't do alone, but together I think God is going to use us to really impact the kids.
I am so thankful that God has called us to do this thing together.  He knew exactly what he was doing when he planned for us both to come at this exact time. He calls us out by two. To encourage each other and partner together to really impact his kingdom. I am so thankful for Colleen and excited for what God is going to use us to do together. :)

Faithful in the little

One thing I really think I have been learning in my time here is to be faithful even in the little things. Monday through Thursday for two hours in the afternoon we do "chores" to help out here on the NLAI San Juan property. These times include anything from cleaning to weeding. Some days as we do our tasks though we can't help but wonder what it is really for. Some days it doesn't seem to be productive but rather just busy work and its hard to keep a good attitude in those moments. This week every day seemed to be just that. The worst was probably the day I has to sweep the outside sidewalks in 104 degree windy weather. But please don't think I am complaining. Though it was frustrating and hard, I also was alone the whole time, resulting in time with Jesus. This was a beautiful time of thinking and prayer and I actually really needed it no matter how much I didn't enjoy the work itself. As well this week I have been reminded of some verses. The first comes out of Luke 16:10 and it says, "one who is faithful in very little will also be faithful in much..." this verse has been my encouragement this week. I am trying to remember that it is those small moments of faithfulness that will bring us greater opportunities to show faithfulness. Though sweeping the sidewalks on a windy day or raking grass on a scorching hot day seem pointless and not productive to me, I know that it is also a blessing to the couple who take care of the property and as well could be part of my preparation for the things God has ahead for me. 1 Peter 4:11 says, "...if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." Although I don't necessarily need physical strength(some days I do!) to accomplish the work set before me, many days I need strength to keep a good attitude and a servant's heart. I know that God has me here in this school for a reason and though it isn't always pleasant, it is ALL to prepare me for things to come. Ephesians 2:10 talks about how we are created in Christ to do good works that he prepared in advance for us to do. And I think a part of him preparing those things is him preparing us to be able to accomplish them. Though these things seem small now, they may be foundational to what is to come. That is what I am trying to remember and continually remind myself. Please pray that I can have a good attitude in these things and be a servant in them.