Before Stephanie and Andrea left we were all sitting in our living room discussing how quickly time was going. I remember telling them that my time was not going quickly and I could not imagine what that would look like here. Everything is so intentional and often a struggle, I just could not see it. I stand corrected. They told me it would go quick. And man were they right.
So much has occurred in the last month, picking one thing to focus on seems impossible.
-I realized I want this year to be about servitude and discipleship
-Erlon and I have been working on numbers 11-20
-Maria (Maribell now) is beginning to enjoy our tutoring time together much more that previously.
-Dahlia and I have been memorizing Bible verses together.
-I have started a small group of young teenage women who are looking for a more intimate Bible study. The process in this has been incredible.
-The Colorado team left, Jen came, and Adrian is saying goodbyes
-I have made a number of amazing friends that have made Bolivia shine in a new light.
-Katie S. and I hiked part of Mt. Tunari for her birthday
Which I think is where I'd like to spend a little bit more time. Mt. Tunari. As we were hiking up we had a great deal of time to reflect on things occurring around us that often we do not have silence to ponder. I got to wondering what my purpose here in Bolivia is.
I should mention how clear it is to me that I am here as a servant to God. But I'll admit I have wondered why. My roommates all have very clear spiritual gifts here. Be it Spanish or hospitality for the people we always have coming and going. So why am I here? I mean, not as a servant, but why here, in a Spanish speaking culture when I struggle so greatly with that? Why in a house that hosts teams when I often desire personal space? Why HERE instead of a million other places?
I love Bolivia. Fact. And every ministry I am involved in. But when days are tough they are tough and it gets the mind a wondering. So in this time as Katie and I were hiking, enjoying the beautiful life all around us, I began to wonder about all of this. That perhaps in this silence I could find clarity.
I do not really know that I came to a conclusion. I know that my gifts do not fit into a neat box here in Bolivia. But I know they are used. Ive learned that the best thing I can do with my Spanish is be humble. And I am grateful for the humility I have been given. A great deal of my ministry in Bolivia that has become so meaningful to me, occurs in English. But time and time again I am reminded, that Spanish or English speaking -people need to be served.
And one of the biggest gifts I have brought to this table is being a servant. Willing to do work without credit, but for the sake of getting done. Missionaries around us are so busy all the time, I am glad that I am here and able to serve them as well. Serve the Servants. (Just another tidbit I took from Mrs. Youngblood).
Days in Bolivia look different than I expected. I struggle with things that I did not think I would and in ways I did not think I could/should. Time and Time again God is faithful in my understanding. And for that -I'm eternally grateful.
On our way up....
I'm telling you that my reality is better than my dreams.
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