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| Cochabamba, Bolivia |
I've been in Bolivia for 8 weeks, today! Wow. Time flies.
Apparently that's how much time it takes to tear your heart into two directions.
I am missing Iowa, my small town, family, and friends every day. But at the same time I am loving the culture and new life I've found here while my heart breaks more and more every day for the families and children of this country. The balance between the two has been really difficult on my head and heart lately...
Some of my personal prayer requests this week;
*That God will open more opportunities for our ministry and outreach here!
*That God would bring peace to me as I feel constantly torn.
*That my Spanish would continue to advance so I can use it more in outreach.
Apparently that's how much time it takes to tear your heart into two directions.
I am missing Iowa, my small town, family, and friends every day. But at the same time I am loving the culture and new life I've found here while my heart breaks more and more every day for the families and children of this country. The balance between the two has been really difficult on my head and heart lately...
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| Center Point, Iowa |
This week I received an email with recordings of all my favorite worship songs from my home church. I was so blessed to be able to worship in English (even if it was just belting it out alone in my room) for the first time in over 8 weeks. Yesterday I mentioned "my church" (as in the one in The States) to a Bolivian friend and he pointed out that they (as in the one in Bolivia) are my church.
Yes, yes they are.
Yes, yes they are.
Instead of being overwhelmed by this tear in my heart, instead of letting Satan use this pull from both directions to distract me I am going to take one day at a time and be thankful for everything God has blessed me with.
He has blessed me with two loving families, two strong church bodies, two languages of communication, two cultures of friends, and two countrieswith many hearts in need of Him.
Some of my personal prayer requests this week;
*That God will open more opportunities for our ministry and outreach here!
*That God would bring peace to me as I feel constantly torn.
*That my Spanish would continue to advance so I can use it more in outreach.
Shelby,
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to be separated from our loved ones. Always good to reflect on the wonderful blessings from the day, knowing you're in God's Will, serving His beautiful children. Praying for you! Rest in God's arms, no better place to be!
Love, Aunt Cheri
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish. (Psalm 25:17)
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:21-22)