Pentecost

“So how’s you’re Spanish?” One of the top questions I am asked when someone learns I live in Nicaragua. And through God’s grace, I can finally respond that I can communicate well. I can understand most things that are said to me, and normally my response is understood too.

However, that doesn’t always mean it is easy, especially in church. Singing in church is totally relatable! I have the words to read and study. I know the praises we are devoting to our Father. But the lesson is a different story. This week I had the privilege of sitting through a Bible class in English! It was such a blessing. To my ears, my soul and my brain!

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:1-12

Our preacher was not speaking in tongues, but he was speaking in my first language. The crowd was amazed, astonished and bewildered. They understood the apostles without a translator without thinking hard to recall the meaning of the familiar words. They understood because they heard their language. I had a small taste of that amazement this week. It was humbling.

It also causes me to pause reflect on the words I am using, in Spanish and English. Am I using my tongue to declare the “mighty works of God?”

Ladies and Gentlemen. He has done mighty works! He is the supreme Lord. He has carried me through a year of triumphs and tragedies. Praying my words tell of his MIGHT in 2016!

That's why we praise Him!

He came to live, live a perfect life,

He came to be the Living Word, our Light

He came to die, so we'd be reconciled,

He came to rise to show His power and might, and

Chorus:

That's why we praise Him, that's why we sing,

That's why we offer Him our everything

That's why we bow down and worship this King,

'Cause He gave His everything,

'Cause He gave His everything.

He came to live, live again in us

He came to be our conquering King and Friend

He came to heal & show the lost ones His love

He came to go prepare a place for us

We don’t need more reasons to praise Jesus. Jesus being his humble divine self is enough. 

But He provides with more reasons to praise Him…

Fátima. My girl. She is sweet and caring and silly. She loves to sing out loud! She has taught me so much about strength and trust. When the darkness seemed overwhelming, she and I found ways to laugh and pray. The prayers brought peace. There’s so much more to share about this precious child. Please ask me, and I’ll gladly share.

Normally we have around 90 kids for Hijos del Rey. 

This week we had 150.

Shoes. One day we realized a very practical need that most of the children have that come to Hijos del Rey (our Sunday afternoon Children’s Bible Hour)… a lack of good shoes. So we started collecting them. A HUGE shout out to Snellville church of Christ and Gwinnett County Elections Office… we had over 200 pairs of shoes to give a new pair of close-toed shoes to all our kids!! 

It was a very exciting day!!

Sweet Eliezer. 

Joxen's old shoe in back and the new one in front.

Our Hijos del Rey helpers- mostly teens from the church!
And most of of them come to church without their parents.

MOM!!! My mom came and brought the shoes and brought so much joy to me! Her visit was refreshing and the best kind of exhausting. We fit as much as we could in her 7 days. Visiting with the friends that have become my family, spending lots of time with the youth group, giving out shoes, organizing my apartment and simply being together!

Mom and two of her new sons :)

Faithful friends. Caryn and I were able to spend some time being tourists and driving. Two things we both love. Her friendship is truly a blessing.

School visits. It’s graduation season here in Nicaragua. We took a generator and a speaker and drove out into the country side to a small community called Hermita. They had 6 children graduating preschool. It was a long ceremony, but the mariachi band was entertaining! When groups are here, I get to visit the schools more often, but this trip was special to support this teacher. She has worked very hard in supporting her students! We also stopped to take pictures on the way home because God gave us a beautiful day in His gorgeous countryside!

That's why we PRAISE HIM!