August

A main street in Choix; headed for down town.

A month of newness and different, that is what I should deem August. Just because I left Guadalupe and that specific time for studying has not changed the fact that I am still learning. I'm learning to do laundry, not by hand anymore, but in a wash machine that doesn't have a hose connected to it to automatically fill it up. This causes moments of panic when I realize that I have forgotten it once again and run out to find it filled to over flowing. (or some one kindly asks why there's water gushing seeping out.)
I have also learned to sweep dirt. Each time I grab the broom and start for the back yard, I think of Ma Ingalls when Pa jested about her sweeping the cabin's dirt floor. But now I understand Ma a little better. Even dirt looks better swept.

Loren's house as well as the church (held in the back yard for now).

Living in a house primarily of boys instead of girls is different as the conversation and the topics thereof can vary widely in comparison. Come to think of it, everything about living here is different.
Its different to attend a Bible study or have a children's class more than once a week. Its different to be in charge of the main meal of the day (lunch) five days a week where there might be 6 or 10 people for the meal (you never know sometimes!) Its different to cook in heat that threatens to overwhelm a person. Its different to have different people in and around the house so much.
Its different, but its good. Its in the normalcy and comfortable rhythm of life that apathy can easily set in without me knowing it. The last week or so I have been aware of how the pressure in life causes the "scum" in me rise to the top. And this is a good thing because its a part of the refining fire. As the grace of God empowers me to work out that scum in repentance, I become more formed in the image of Jesus. Ya'll, its hard to live in a learner mentality and attitude when I used to be perfectly capable at life before now. Its hard to still not be able to say sentences correctly in Spanish at times. Some moments are just plain hard.

The back yard (part of it) after a particular hard rain the night before.

One Friday evening, a group of young people from the orphanage (Casa Hogar) and I went to a place outside of Choix where there are some hot springs. We grilled hamburgers. I hadn't seen that much meat in one place in a long time. And we even had bacon to add to it! There was reverence in the air as we ate. :)

At the hot springs.

If you want to rejoice with me here's a few praises:

-the blessing of grace.

-answered prayer for wisdom in building relationships.

-new friends and a wonderful family to live with.

If you would like to pray for me here are a few of those as well:

-diligence in language learning.

-grace to work & live for Jesus with the "scum" rising.

-wisdom and love for reaching out to young girls.

Thank you for your prayers and the many ways you show that you're thinking and care about me. Words can hardly do justice to my thankfulness and they seem almost hollow, but please know that they are appreciated and are making a difference!