Well today was quite a busy day, as this week has been so far! Monday was classes, with a substitute in grammer, so we got to do a review packet from everything we've learned all trimester. What I came away realizing is how several concepts still are not clear in my head, especially the use of direct and indirect objects! Monday I also got news that Helmer had lost his job. Although this is a tragic situation without work and very stressful for him, it is for the best, and we all are seeing God work through this situation. It seems Helmer's boss started the day just picking on him, telling him to do one work, and then another, and always complaining that he wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing. It ended when his boss tried to hit him, and then started yelling "vayase vayase!" (Go! Go!) Helmer has been to visit some type of business bureau office the past two days, trying to clear up the entire situation. He is now in need of new work, and has been living with his brother in Escazu since Monday. He was able to attend English classes this morning, at AMCA house, and really enjoyed them. Tonight he came to our Bible study. It was evident to me that this is weighing heavily on his heart and mind, although it is also evident that God truly has changed and transformed his life, and is using this to make Helmer rely on Him more. Helmer has expressed to both Howard and I many times how he knows this is for the better, and God is working through this. Please continue to pray!
Today had class again, and we've been getting nailed big time on our conversation skills this week. Oscar is really trying to make us use the subjunctive tense all the time. Pray that I won't just "get by" in Spanish, but that I'll really pour my time and energy into the studying necessary to really do my best, since that is what God requires of us.
This morning had AMCA House English classes, and helped Cynthia with the beginner's class. It was really a lot of fun, and it just reminds me how much I love teaching. Today Cynthia commented that someone had asked her what her job was here, and she began to tell them teaching English as a Second Language, and then realized it seemed to "fun" and that she loved it too much for it to be her job. That's how I feel as well, and I am very thankful that God has given me the job of being a missionary, because not only is it fun (teaching!) but there is nothing more rewarding in life that I can think of or imagine myself doing.
Tonight we had our 3rd week of Bible study. It went well, although Jasmine never made it there. Pray she makes it back in the next weeks. We finished our introductory packet, talking tonight on Accountability. Had some interesting comments from Jonathan who expressed some hardness against the church. He commented, "Fui catolica, fui adventista" He was catholic, then adventist, but that he is turned off to churches because of the hypocrisy and the divisions. He said people ask him to come to church and he has no problem saying he doesn't want to. Please pray we will be able to share in the coming weeks the importance of the church, the body of Christ, and the local church and fellowship with other believers. There are a lot of questions raised each week, even doctrinal issues, like security of salvation, which surprise us, and make us realize that these Christians have really never received a lot of Bible teaching or discipleship. Pray we are able to impart the message and words God wants, and help them to grow and understand the Christian life, so that they can go and teach this to others as well.
I'm very much anticipating the weekend, as we have a whole week of class off for vacation! My parents arrive here on Sunday, so will be really great to spend a week with them at the beach and the volcano, and just relaxing, resting, and enjoying time together. Two more days of class!
Here's a verse from tonight's study:
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
Will write more sometime this weekend!
Chao, Bethany
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