Sometimes in English Class
Sometimes life is hard, and work is tiring. Sometimes you lose sight of what God has called you to. But then sometimes God brings encouragement to remind you. Sometimes He works it out for only one of your English students to come to class. Sometimes that student just wants to talk and have a bit of company, so you spend the entire class period chatting, for conversational practice of course. Sometimes she leads the conversation and talks about life, beliefs, good works, sin, fasting, judgement day, heaven and hell, and forgiveness. You get to share with her the effect that Jesus' sacrifice… Read more >>Sunshine
Where I live, it's normally overcast. We don't get a lot of sunshine. Last week, however, we had several warm, sunny days. It was wonderful. Not only because of the vitamin D, but also because so many people were out and about. The parks were full of happy people taking in the sun with their friends and family. My housemates and I were even able to eat lunch and dinner in our backyard one day. We knew the sun and the warmth wouldn't last. It's already back to cold and cloudy now. But those uplifting days reminded me to rejoice and be glad for each day that the Lord makes. Praise the Lord for… Read more >>
Unexpected
Back in the States, it was just a normal part of life that I would listen to music and sing along as I drove from place to place in my little car. I've noticed lately, though, that I don't have much of a singing voice anymore. I wouldn't claim to be a great singer, but whatever ability I had before seems to have disappeared. I wondered at first what could be affecting my vocal chords. I mean, my speaking voice is still the same as it's always been, so why is singing so different? Then I realized, "Oh, I'm just out of practice." I don't drive here. I walk everywhere I go. My former… Read more >>
The Halfway Point
Today marks one year since I arrived in my host country! That means I am halfway through my commitment as a Goer. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been here a year already. On the other hand, so much has happened this past year that I almost feel as though I have always been here. I wish I could share right now everything I’ve learned since last March, but that would take a whole lot of time and a whole lot of words. So I’ll try to sum up the themes: God provides. He gives us what we need. He knows us. Sometimes, He gives us what we hope for even when we don’t see any point in… Read more >>