Nuesties News: February 2012

Friday, February 24, 2012

{Friday Favorites} - February 24

1. Compass Church: The team this week has been great! They have gave of themselves to help the community and some of our partners. They painted, varnished, built, played with kids, taught, etc...The poured themselves out! It was a joy to watch them teaching at Maxo's school yesterday, to see them engaging with the students!! Thank you team for serving!!

2. James - Laura and I started the James bible study about 3 weeks ago. We couldn't have picked a better time to be going through this study! I'm so thankful God has thought about everything and given us His word to encourage us in ALL circumstances! It astounds me!

3. Sunsets - They make me happy!! They make me full! How can we not worship the great Creator!

4. Gratitude: Since returning to Haiti after Christmas, it seems like I have been going through many trials. I will be honest and say that I have struggled. I've been struggling to find joy and to be thankful! I started reading the book "One Thousand Gifts" and I realized that I wanted to start finding joy in the trials! I started using this Gratitude book to record my 1000 gifts.

1. Morning talks with Claudy, on the phone.

2. A hot shower in the morning.

3. A great cup of coffee, with creamer.

4. Groups serving the people I love.

5. Kids jumping rope at the school with only socks on their feet.

6. The sand between my toes at the beach.

7. A frozen Coke

8. A 18 year old in the 5th grade - hoping to break the mold.

9. Hearing the birds chirp on the deck, while reading God's word!

I hope you have a great week!!!

Friday, February 17, 2012

{Friday Favorites} - February 17

1. Engagement Pictures: As some of you saw a sneak peak on Facebook; Claudy and I, with the help of our friends Lauren and Laura, took engagement pictures. We found some cool spots and took some ideas from Pinterest. I must admit, they turned out great (or maybe I'm just biased). Here's a look. I'll put some more on Facebook.

This is just for fun...I only added it because Claudy loves it!!

2. Lauren: One of my very good friends from Fort Myers (she lives in Indiana now) came to visit this week. Thanks Lauren for taking the time to serve along side us, for being a great friend, for encouraging me and always being a friend that sharpens me!! You are doing amazing things!

3. New Horizons: Lauren is pictured with some of the kids at New Horizons Orphanage. We stopped to hang out with them. Madam Christian, who runs the orphanage with her husband, is pregnant and should be on bed rest. Please pray for them, she is only 5 months a long and needs to be laying, they have more kids than they can take care for. Pray that she will have a healthy baby, that she will stay healthy, and pray for the kids in the orphanage that they are impacting.

4. Valentine's Day: I must say, I didn't know that they would celebrate Valentine's Day in Haiti. Claudy and I had the opportunity to spend the day together, he took me to a coffee shop, grocery shopping, bought me flowers, and then we came home, watched a movie and I cooked dinner and made his favorite Banana Pie. We had a great day!!

4. PASSION 2012: During Passion 2012, I purchased the all access pass. I have loved this, since I was unable to attend and don't get to hear many sermons in my language. One of the videos that came out this week was Chris Tomlin and others, singing "How Great is Our God" it was so moving, so I wanted to share it with you! I hope you are blessed and encouraged by the amazing God we serve, that connects us all together!

Hope you all have a blessed week!!!

Friday, February 3, 2012

{Friday Favorites} - February 3

Yesterday marked 8 months in Haiti for me. I can't believe how fast the time as gone and how much as happened in the last 8 months. It's hard to put into words what all God has been teaching me, as there have been many lessons. However, I think the lesson I am continually learning is, I'm only adequate through His strength.

Laura and I were talking today about the video my church did before I left. God used my brokenness for teenage girls, women and the children of Haiti to get me here. However, that is not how he used me (I realize I still have at least 16 months in Haiti and he still could use me to do this). He has used me to be the leader on the ground here. I've had very little time to train teachers or to develop strong relationships with women. I'm leading in a country, that by nature is very Machismotic, which has added some difficulties. I've had some many moments over the last 8 months, where I have had to get on my knees and ask God to show up because it is more than I can handle, it's more than I can do.

I've been reading the book, "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis, and she described this feeling so well.

"Remember, God will never give you more than you can handle. People repeat this frequently; I heard it when I was group up and I hear it now. It is meant to be a source of encouragement, and it would be if I believed it were grue. But I don't. I believe that God totally, absolutely, intentionally gives us than we can handle. Because this is when we surrender to Him and He takes over, proving Himself by doing the impossible in our lives."

She's right. Those moments where I have surrendered, God has showed up and proved the impossible. He has blessed our ministry beyond words, so much so, we don't even know what or how it is going to all get done....but He does.

I've struggled this week. Struggled to see how he is using me, when all it seems like I do is plan. How the planning is advancing his kingdom. I've struggled with what my roll is in helping the poor. Do I feed people? Do I find jobs? What is my roll?

I don't have the answers, but I'm surrendering. I'm asking Him to show up and make it clear!

I know this hasn't been much of a Friday's favorites, but I needed to share what the Lord has been teaching me. So this Friday, I'm showing you my favorite photo from every month I've been in Haiti.