Thanks to Solomon, one of the most technologically savvy people I know, you can now see a video of my classroom! Note the torrential rain that falls nearly everyday here in Shell. The room still needs some work (as do my lessons -- yikes!), but it's coming along! Praise God for inspiration and materials. :-)
Classes start in less than a week, so please continue to pray for my students and I as we prepare to start school again.
Love you all!
~Kristin
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Jehovah Jireh
I missed the lice epidemic in elementary school.
When all those parents had to fine-tooth comb their kids' hair and disinfect their entire home, my parents sat back and praised God for sparing them, and probably patted themselves on the back for teaching their girls not to share combs or play with people's hair.
Sorry, mom. The lesson didn't stick.
The entire orphanage next door has lice, it seems, and to avoid getting it would mean not touching the kids at all. I just can't do that. Picking up and hugging a child is totally worth the risk of getting those little white buggers.
Not that children are the only way I could get them. On the way to Banos on Saturday, my friends warned me not to rest my head against the back of the seat since that's how another girl picked up her head lice.
I sat wrapped up in my hoodie for the entire hour ride.
But regardless, I'll probably contract them, or some other sickness, just because my body isn't used to being here. The altitude is making my body attack itself already, it seems, and there's really not much I can do about it but focus on my daily tasks. . .and pray.
I can't help but reflect if Jesus felt the same way at some point. He chose to come to this sinful, dirty world and cover himself in human flesh, forsaking His pure holiness in Heaven, to love on us. He is God, yet wanted so badly for us to know Him intimately that he endured stress, pain, sickness, grief and death so that we may be reconciled to our Father through Him.
Now, let me express here that I am in no way comparing myself to Jesus. I believe we as Christians strive to follow His example daily, but need his grace and mercy everyday as we stumble into sin. I am the least of these, especially considering that in my moments of weakness I tend to turn to myself for solutions instead of my Savior.
But He still pursues me. He still loves me.
This week I fretted over how I was going to eat, shop, speak, get to school, and survive more than six days with an aching headache. And each time I had a need, the Lord provided -- most of the time without me asking! When I felt amazingly alone one night because I couldn't speak to anyone in the house, a complete stranger called and invited me to a party with other young missionaries. When I wondered how and where I was going to shop for food, another stranger came into the house and offered to show me around town.
This past Sunday when I finally gave in to the fact that I had altitude sickness I about lost it. My sister made me look up the symptoms and sure enough, I had seven of the twelve. Normally it goes away within two days and I was going on six. Stories of missionaries having to leave the field due to its severe effects raced through my head. I pleaded with God, "Please, don't send me home."
So while failing miserably at understanding the sermon, I began to leaf through Psalms. Line after line spoke of the Lord's wisdom, protection, and healing. One particular verse stood out to me: "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." -- Ps. 50:14-15
After much prayer and laying down my "right" to be happy and healthy, and relinquishing my pride of wanting to stay in Ecuador despite whatever He may want for me, I was exhausted. I couldn't hardly speak in English, let alone Spanish, so when we got home I went directly to bed.
When I woke up, my pain was gone.
"So do not worry, staying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~Matt 6:31-33
Really, you should just take a minute and read all of Matthew 6:25-34.
He is Jehovah Jireh: God our Provider.
I'll keep you updated on the lice situation. The occasional, surreptitious scratching is probably just dry scalp. . .right?
~Kristin
When all those parents had to fine-tooth comb their kids' hair and disinfect their entire home, my parents sat back and praised God for sparing them, and probably patted themselves on the back for teaching their girls not to share combs or play with people's hair.
Sorry, mom. The lesson didn't stick.
The entire orphanage next door has lice, it seems, and to avoid getting it would mean not touching the kids at all. I just can't do that. Picking up and hugging a child is totally worth the risk of getting those little white buggers.
Not that children are the only way I could get them. On the way to Banos on Saturday, my friends warned me not to rest my head against the back of the seat since that's how another girl picked up her head lice.
I sat wrapped up in my hoodie for the entire hour ride.
But regardless, I'll probably contract them, or some other sickness, just because my body isn't used to being here. The altitude is making my body attack itself already, it seems, and there's really not much I can do about it but focus on my daily tasks. . .and pray.
I can't help but reflect if Jesus felt the same way at some point. He chose to come to this sinful, dirty world and cover himself in human flesh, forsaking His pure holiness in Heaven, to love on us. He is God, yet wanted so badly for us to know Him intimately that he endured stress, pain, sickness, grief and death so that we may be reconciled to our Father through Him.
Now, let me express here that I am in no way comparing myself to Jesus. I believe we as Christians strive to follow His example daily, but need his grace and mercy everyday as we stumble into sin. I am the least of these, especially considering that in my moments of weakness I tend to turn to myself for solutions instead of my Savior.
But He still pursues me. He still loves me.
This week I fretted over how I was going to eat, shop, speak, get to school, and survive more than six days with an aching headache. And each time I had a need, the Lord provided -- most of the time without me asking! When I felt amazingly alone one night because I couldn't speak to anyone in the house, a complete stranger called and invited me to a party with other young missionaries. When I wondered how and where I was going to shop for food, another stranger came into the house and offered to show me around town.
This past Sunday when I finally gave in to the fact that I had altitude sickness I about lost it. My sister made me look up the symptoms and sure enough, I had seven of the twelve. Normally it goes away within two days and I was going on six. Stories of missionaries having to leave the field due to its severe effects raced through my head. I pleaded with God, "Please, don't send me home."
So while failing miserably at understanding the sermon, I began to leaf through Psalms. Line after line spoke of the Lord's wisdom, protection, and healing. One particular verse stood out to me: "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." -- Ps. 50:14-15
After much prayer and laying down my "right" to be happy and healthy, and relinquishing my pride of wanting to stay in Ecuador despite whatever He may want for me, I was exhausted. I couldn't hardly speak in English, let alone Spanish, so when we got home I went directly to bed.
When I woke up, my pain was gone.
"So do not worry, staying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~Matt 6:31-33
Really, you should just take a minute and read all of Matthew 6:25-34.
He is Jehovah Jireh: God our Provider.
I'll keep you updated on the lice situation. The occasional, surreptitious scratching is probably just dry scalp. . .right?
~Kristin
Monday, August 16, 2010
Kristin's seven hour layover
They hide the Starbucks in the Miami airport.
I think it's a ploy to lure sleepy travelers into a psychology experiment: How far will people actually go to get their Venti Caramel Macchiato?
Answer: They'll trudge to the far end of the North terminal, down a tiny stairwell, and into the cramped American Eagle, five-gate, basement terminal.
I think my addiction has reached a new low.
But regardless, it has sustained me during the seven hour layover I scheduled between my flight from Detroit to Quito. I obviously wasn't thinking clearly when I booked this flight. Which is probably true, since I originally booked my flight for the wrong day and fifteen minutes later had to beg American Airlines to change it for me without a fee.
And yet, no matter what I do to mess things up, the Lord has routinely intervened on my behalf. Each time I've had a moment of panic, He reveals more of His plan for me and this trip, and soothes my spirit.
During my preparation to leave, especially these last couple weeks, the urge to freak out came in ever-increasing waves. The obstacles seemed to pile up: lack of medicine; chaos from going to Europe, moving out and moving home within three weeks; no one to pick me up at the Quito airport; no real understanding of my job; staying in an empty house on my first night. The list continues. Satan constantly found ways to grate on my nerves and sow doubt, fear, and anger into my heart.
But Satan is not our conqueror.
I am a testament to the power of prayer, especially those coming from a body of believers. Within a day of a particularly intense venting session where I voiced many of my concerns, friends and family members came together to pray for me and with me to find solutions. All of the sudden I had people to pick me up at the airport, someone to talk with about my job, and a place to stay if I didn't want to sleep in an empty house. E-mails I had sent out weeks ago were answered. People I don't even know volunteered to take care of me.
How is it that I doubt my Creator who has promised to provide for me? He has never left me, but has instead given me situations that increase my faith. He has surrounded me with a church family who prays, encourages, and supports me. He has given me friends and family who stand by me in my lowest moments and urge me to persevere. He has given me His Spirit of peace that prevails even in my most stressful states.
Our God is faithful. Always.
I pray the Lord impresses that truth on my heart and on yours. I look forward with anticipation what's to come in the next year. No doubt our Father has plans to mold Kim, Ashley, and I into women that glorify Him and exude His love. Please pray that we'll be open to the moving of the Spirit in our lives and that we'll remain faithful to seeking Him every day.
Ok, time to pack up. Hopefully I can get some rest on this flight. I slept about two hours last night as I had many last minute things to do. But if you know me, that's rather par. However, functioning on two hours of sleep, even with the magic of Starbucks, makes for a rather cranky Kristin. . .
Much love, grace, and peace to you all.
~Kristin
I think it's a ploy to lure sleepy travelers into a psychology experiment: How far will people actually go to get their Venti Caramel Macchiato?
Answer: They'll trudge to the far end of the North terminal, down a tiny stairwell, and into the cramped American Eagle, five-gate, basement terminal.
I think my addiction has reached a new low.
But regardless, it has sustained me during the seven hour layover I scheduled between my flight from Detroit to Quito. I obviously wasn't thinking clearly when I booked this flight. Which is probably true, since I originally booked my flight for the wrong day and fifteen minutes later had to beg American Airlines to change it for me without a fee.
And yet, no matter what I do to mess things up, the Lord has routinely intervened on my behalf. Each time I've had a moment of panic, He reveals more of His plan for me and this trip, and soothes my spirit.
During my preparation to leave, especially these last couple weeks, the urge to freak out came in ever-increasing waves. The obstacles seemed to pile up: lack of medicine; chaos from going to Europe, moving out and moving home within three weeks; no one to pick me up at the Quito airport; no real understanding of my job; staying in an empty house on my first night. The list continues. Satan constantly found ways to grate on my nerves and sow doubt, fear, and anger into my heart.
But Satan is not our conqueror.
I am a testament to the power of prayer, especially those coming from a body of believers. Within a day of a particularly intense venting session where I voiced many of my concerns, friends and family members came together to pray for me and with me to find solutions. All of the sudden I had people to pick me up at the airport, someone to talk with about my job, and a place to stay if I didn't want to sleep in an empty house. E-mails I had sent out weeks ago were answered. People I don't even know volunteered to take care of me.
How is it that I doubt my Creator who has promised to provide for me? He has never left me, but has instead given me situations that increase my faith. He has surrounded me with a church family who prays, encourages, and supports me. He has given me friends and family who stand by me in my lowest moments and urge me to persevere. He has given me His Spirit of peace that prevails even in my most stressful states.
Our God is faithful. Always.
I pray the Lord impresses that truth on my heart and on yours. I look forward with anticipation what's to come in the next year. No doubt our Father has plans to mold Kim, Ashley, and I into women that glorify Him and exude His love. Please pray that we'll be open to the moving of the Spirit in our lives and that we'll remain faithful to seeking Him every day.
Ok, time to pack up. Hopefully I can get some rest on this flight. I slept about two hours last night as I had many last minute things to do. But if you know me, that's rather par. However, functioning on two hours of sleep, even with the magic of Starbucks, makes for a rather cranky Kristin. . .
Much love, grace, and peace to you all.
~Kristin
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