June ’15 Highlights (Photo Blog)

    This has been a crazy and difficult, but oh-so-beautiful month of life and ministry. With Cadence in the States visiting her family, I have been extremely busy. Thankfully the Lord placed some wonderful community here to pitch in and help me out. I love to see the ways that He is working and moving this month. 

    I am unbelievably thankful for this beautiful group of World Racers that have been living and doing ministry with us this month. They have such beautiful hearts! I have loved working and traveling with them. They have been incredible blessings to me personally as they have poured into me and pitched in to help with sponsorship work so much this month. I just love them! 

 

    We have also been blessed to have other great teams from Florida and Charlotte with us this month. The group from Florida was able to visit, pray with, and share the gospel with people in the community. They also poured into Pastor Bismark and his church in Nuevo Amanecer. Stan and the team from Charlotte came to work with our baseball program as we move closer and closer to the kick-off our New Song’s baseball ministry. They were able to run baseball camps and a field day for children from all four of our villages. They also worked with our Sunday school program and visited with families and children in the community. This team was an extra blessing to me because it gave me a chance to spend a little time with my dear friend Lindsay and catch up with her.  

 

    This month I had a visit from some of the office staff from Adventures in Missions. It was great to connect with these beautiful folks and just to be poured into by them. We had a wonderful time sharing about ministry and swapping stories. I’m thankful to be part of an organization that loves people so well. 

 

    Some of the Racers went with me to pray over the Abide Home. It was a really beautiful moment! This was a dream that the Lord developed so much during my time on the World Race. Our Racers this month were only a month away from finishing their journey and were beginning to dream for their own futures. It was incredibly beautiful to be there with them walking in my dream that’s becoming reality and praying into all that the Lord has for this home and the kids that will become part of this family. 

 

    I’m so proud of our church at Santa Matilde! They have been through a lot in the last six months and have come through it so much stronger and more unified. I love to see the way that they have pulled together and have worked to build up their own church and community. This church is such a beautiful family. I love showing up and seeing everyone out at the church property working together. 

 

    As always, one of the best parts of my job is running tutoring groups. This month it has been wonderful to have help from the Racers to work with my sweet little first graders. It even gave me time to dive into reading comprehension work with my little second grade loves. I love getting to push them to go farther than they knew that they could. I love them so much and love to see them grow! 

 

    This month we have had several new students sponsored for school. I love to see the joy on their faces when their families hear the news and when the kids receive their new backpacks and school supplies. It’s one of my favorite things. 

 

    After months and months of waiting, Lydia FINALLY had her kidney biopsy! Sweet Lydia has been suffering for 1 1/2 years from nephrotic syndrome. We have been working for months to get her a kidney biopsy in order to determine next steps for treatment. It’s been a frustrating process working within the medical system in this country. Thankfully this month she finally had her biopsy (PRAISE JESUS!!!). We will not get her results until her appointment next month, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Please keep praying for this beautiful little girl. 

 

    My sweet little namesake, Lisa Margarita, had decided about 8 months ago that she didn’t want anything to do with any of our American staff. For months she would cry every time we came to her house or got too close to her. It broke my heart a little every time. I’ve been waiting and waiting for this phase to end. Por fin, we are friends! In the last week she has suddenly decided that she loves me again! She’s been playing with me, letting me hold her, and even giving me tons of kisses on the cheek. I just love this little girl and I’m so glad that we are friends again finally. 

 

And now that this month is completed, I’m preparing to head to the States for a visit with family, friends, and supporters. See you soon America!