2nd Week in October: Wow! What a wonderful week it has been!
Monday at jewelry class, I was able to enjoy some one-on-one time with Diana. She was the only one to attend the class, but it was perfect.
When classes started, I was a little nervous and skeptical. She came in and instantly started playing secular music and seemed content to be in her own world without chatting with me.
However, after 20 minutes or so, her walls began to fall. It has been a hard few weeks for her. She decided to seek a divorce from her husband because she isn’t happy any longer with her husband. However, he has been very upset with her and has been harsh in his communication with her. This turn of emotions has made the transition harder for her. She had spent the weekend crying about the situation and struggling with the pain of her hurt and how hurt her husband is.
I still see her seeking solutions for that void in her heart in other things (like another relationship, a better job, friendships, etc.). But, she shared that she realized that she needed more. She shared that over the weekend, she prayed for the first time in a while. She prayed for the Lord to help her. To give her peace for the situation. To give her husband comfort and to eventually forgive her for the pain this divorce is causing.
(I tried not to freak out that she stated that she prayed…because just a month ago she was sharing that she had nothing to do with the Lord because she was hurt with him about so many other situations).
It is incredible to see the Lord softening her heart to his call and his provision for her life. This is the start of a journey that the Lord is walking with her on. Please continue to pray for her!
Fast forward to Thursday night: English classes
We welcomed 5 new people to class tonight, and had 4 regulars return as well. This was incredibly encouraging! We were excited to have some new faces, including 2 more men. We have been praying for more men to attend class, and the Lord is providing!
We started the night with playing pictionary about free time activities. I have come to love this 15 minute welcome time with the adults because they laugh and have so much fun with the ice breakers each week!
Then we continued on with the English lesson (which was about free time activities). We were able to compare how much a typical American has for free time and how they spend that free time, with what a typical person in their community has for free time and how they spend that free time. It was incredible to hear how they really only have 30 minutes or so of free time during the weekdays because of their work schedules and home responsibilities.
We ended the class with studying Matthew 2! We read through the verses in Spanish and then watched the video in English. During the video, Valentina was able to share a special treat that she brought for the class (it was a rice pudding). I loved seeing her heart to be a blessing to everyone in class. We didn’t ask for a dessert, she just showed up with the dessert to bless the class with.
It is exciting to be able to use the Lord’s word to learn English and comprehend stories in English. All the while, sharing about the life of Jesus and open up doors for the Gospel to take root in their hearts!
Continue praying for these adults who attend the class–for them to continue reading and exploring the Lord’s word! For their hearts to be softened to the Lord’s call for a personal relationship with them.
I am honored to serve alongside a great volunteer team. Jennifer, Andrew, Molly Fae and Libby help keep these ministries afloat and I am blessed to stand next to them each week. Please continue to pray for these friends who are investing in the lives of the adults and children in the community to share God’s hope and love to them!
*To help support the ministries in Baker and Glover mobile home park, feel free to donate here: http://give.adventures.org/campaign.asp?campaignid=4133
(All donations are tax-deductible!) We are currently at 16% of our yearly goal!! YAY!
The best part of reading this isbhearing your joy!!!