More than a Teacher

With determination, I trudged up the muddy street. Small groups of villagers were gathered at the entrances of dimly lit pulperias*. Dogs scurried around in search of something edible.  My weary footsteps were working hard against my stubborn thoughts. It had been a long week and a long day. Sickness and school responsibilities had kept me from attending prayer meetings as regularly as I wanted. Every bone and muscle seemed to be urging me back to my room and rest, but I fought it with every step--I was going! The sound of singing drifted out into the street, inviting each passer-by to join in the joyful service.  I slipped in the through the back door of our humble church and found my seat. As I looked around me, something gripped my mind with a force stronger than my previous resistance. I saw young people from the community; I saw Bible study contacts who were just beginning to attend church, I saw the joy radiating from the faces of the students and Bible workers who had just returned from an afternoon of outreach. But something was missing. I loved my work with the children in Campos Blancos. My life was full of lesson planning, classes, grading, paperwork, teacher meetings, community visitation . I was putting my heart into it because I was sure it was my mission. I loved the morning mountain hikes, the work in my garden, the sharing with my fellow teachers and room mates. Life couldn't get better--or could it? In that instant, God lifted my thoughts higher than my narrow vision of my daily work, beyond the walls of our little school. In my mind's eye, I could see children, young people, families studying God's word and surrendering their lives to Him, and they in turn reaching even further to help others.  The conviction nearly brought tears to my eyes. I knew God was helping me see the big picture, to extend my vision of His work for me.

I made a commitment that night, that if God opened the doors and made it clear, I would be willing to do more. 

This experience happened more than two months ago. Fast forward the story...This last Thursday night I walked the same street toward the church with eager steps. As I entered the church, incredible joy filled my heart to the point where I wondered if it would burst. I suddenly realized that God had now put that joy I had seen on other's faces into my own heart. I had just returned from giving my first Spanish Bible study in the village.  

More to come later...

*small convenience store