As we give thanks to the Lord for all that He is doing among us, through this week, we give thanks to all those who have encouraged, prayed for and contributed to our team efforts. Together, all of us, have been part of God’s provision of a safe, secure house where hope is found, for 20 families (about 100 people)!
There’s so much that we have experienced and it’s hard to articulate it well in the immediate days after we leave. However for now, we would love to share with you one word that defines our week. Feel free to ask us, “How would you describe your week?”
We would love to share with you a little bit based on this one word:
Brody - awake
Zeke - impactful
Pete - camping
Chelsea - joy
Abby - ironic
Kai - sufficient
Eli - impactful
Lily - patience
Ansley - eye-opening
Eden - eventful
Deb - grateful
Amy - “Hope-n-Trust”
Karen - contagious
Amanda - intertwined
Deve - unity
Nicole - perspective
Greg - prayer
Garrett - learn
Lisa - relationships
James - meaningful
JT - special
Christine - present
Angela - steadfast
Tara - unity
Scott - bumpy
We are so grateful for the glimpse into your experiences and the ways in which God is at work in the lives of the people of El Salvador and each of the members of this team. We know there is infinitely more that you have seen, felt, heard, smelled, tasted, and sensed in your time there which may never be expressed. I do encourage you to write down a few examples of where you witnessed the faithfulness of God, because as you re-enter life at home (where much seems to have stayed exactly the same, or where you missed out on a few experiences with friends or family), your memory of those moments in El Salvador will fade quicker than you might imagine. Having a place to record these "Ebenezer" moments allows us to return to re-visit the blessings and the memories of where God has been our help.
ReplyDeleteYou may also find re-entry particularly challenging as you are confronted with the "excess" of this season juxtaposed with the poverty you have witnessed. May I encourage you in this season of Advent to make the necessary adjustments to position yourself to receive your King and receive His blessing. The devotional "Prepare Him Room" I've been reading offers this invitation: "push away the clutter, turn down the noise, and offer Him the sacred space in our lives so that the King of Glory may enter, take up residence, and radically change us from the inside out." (He has already begun that change in you!) "Change your focus, determine your pace, adjust your priorities, and this could be your most life-giving holiday season yet."
On Wednesday night, twelve faithful SEMC believers gathered to uphold each of you in prayer. Each person there was given two or three names to pray for, during the remainder of your time in El Salvador, as well as during the week(s) that follow your return home. We prayed individually, in partners, and corporately for this team, for the work being done, for the Shelter workers, for the families receiving homes, for the relationships being forged, and for the nation and people of El Salvador. We prayed for specific requests, and general needs, and we asked for God to forgive and show mercy to all who have turned away from Him. We prayed a special blessing for the children & families of El Salvador who will receive Bibles through the special SEMC offering on the 15th via Empower Ministries. We know God is calling the people of El Salvador to Himself, and we thank each of you for being the hands & feet of Jesus to them, in our stead, tangibly demonstrating the deep, deep love of our Almighty God & Heavenly Father. Know how greatly you are loved and appreciated!
<3 Sandra
Thanks for all of this Sandra, especially your partnership in "upholding" us in prayer - definitely needed, appreciated and felt. Your insight for re-entry is wise and reflects our conversations as well. Thanks for serving our global efforts through prayer offered at "home". - Deve
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