Every Moment Counts (part 2)

Last Monday I got the chance to accompany David to court for a hearing. I am not allowed to go in the courtroom with David, so I just bring a book and stay in the waiting area. I have gone a few times with him before, but the faces of all the different people always seem to leave a mark on my heart. On this particular day two different people impacted me.

As I sat in the second to last row, I looked up from what I was reading and saw a lady walking toward the row behind me. She was crying and upset as she carried what seemed to be a medical paper. Behind me was a gentlemen in a wheelchair with two children. I couldn't really gather what was wrong but when I turned around the man began to cry. My heart broke. I began to think of what I could do or say to comfort them. I began to pray for them in my heart asking God to show them mercy and compassion. Minutes later the gentlemen leaned over and asked if he could borrow my phone to make a quick call. He made the call and shortly after handed me the phone. I then decided to say something. I told him that I did not know what he was going through but my prayer was that God would be with them and strengthen them.

I returned to continue reading. A few minutes later there was some commotion three seats down form mine. I looked up and sitting next to me was a man in handcuffs with two policemen guarding him with rifles. My mind began to race thinking what could have happened that he was in this situation. Again my heart went out to him and just wanted to give some word of encouragement or SOMETHING! Nothing came to me expect a quiet prayer in my heart; asking God to reveal Himself to this young man.

This past week I was also confronted with the fact that there is so much need all around me; spiritually, physically as well as materially. So many times I find myself wanting to fill that need with a gift or some kind of material thing. Giving material things is good but I felt convicted by God in thinking that material things are the answer to needs.

The truth is that the best thing to give is Jesus Christ. Whether it is a prayer, a word of encouragement or even singing worship song, what most fills the human soul is the Presence of God. That Monday when I encountered those situations, I may not have given them money or a solution to a problem, but maybe that prayer in my heart for them in that moment could have made a difference in their lives.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
 and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace."
              - Numbers 6:24-27

-asm

p.s. We got a puppy!! His name is Max!

Every Moment Counts (part 1)

        This past Tuesday a boy named Emanuel ran up to me asking me to come with him to see the moon. The boys from Casa Nuevo Pacto had recently been given a telescope and my friend Ema was trying it out. In that moment David and I were heading out to run some errands and were running late, yet, I decided to accompany Ema. He excitedly took my hand and we ran together to the backyard where he had set up the telescope. He cautiously made his way to the telescope telling me to be careful not to move it. I peered into the lens and I saw the beautiful moon along with its craters. It was breath-taking.

       Our lives are made up of moments. Some significant and some seemingly insignificant. For me everyday here at Casa Bernabe (CB for short), is so different filled with many activities on some days and not much on others. As many who have visited CB may know, the moments are rare when kids are not calling out your name or wanting your attention. I am so blessed to be surrounded by some many little ones who love however, I must admit there are times when I take those hugs for granted. The moment that Ema came running up to me could have been unimportant but I chose to respond to him as worthy of my attention. When I have things to do or when my heart is closed to receiving love, I miss those very moments that bless my heart. These past few weeks I have been trying to learn to seize the beautiful moments and learning to keep my heart open to the blessings that God sends my way.

       I want to share a beautiful scripture with you in Psalm 21:3, "For You [God ] meet him [ us] with blessings of goodness: you set a crown of pure gold on his head." The word "meet" in Hebrew means to go before, in front, and anticipate. I believe that our Shepherd goes before us preparing the path where our feet will walk. Along that path He places blessings (or moments) of goodness; moments that touch our hearts and point us to the beauty of our Heavenly Father.

      Whatever it may be that you are facing in your life right now, my prayer for you is that our Father would place before you blessings of goodness. May He encounter you with His very nearness!!

ACM

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P.S. I wanted to share a few pictures of moments that have been special these last weeks.

The first is of Ema helping me cook for David's birthday.

The second is of when David and I took Raul and Rudy to see Handel's Messiah at the Theatre.

The third is of Rosita reading her Bible.

*Our blog can now be translated into Spanish! You just need to press the translate button on the top of the screen. It features the same posts that are in the emails.

Soccer

A few weeks ago we got invited to a soccer tournament put on by Verbo churches (the conference that our church here at the orphanage is a part of). I was a little reluctant to go as I couldn't find enough players to make an entire team and I knew that we would be going against teams made up of mostly men that had been playing together for years. But, we ended up loading up the van that Sunday afternoon knowing we were headed for a nearly certain loss.

Our first game was against the biggest of the Verbo churches (Zone 16) with a team made up of mostly guys ages 18 and up. Our obviously younger team ended up scoring 4 goals while simultaneously managing to successfully defend against all of their attempts at scoring. We felt good about our surprise win, however it was only the first of 4 games, some with other teams that looked a little more menacing. Our next opponents from Zone 18 sported bright orange jerseys complete with soccer socks and coordinating shorts with what seemed like at least 10 substitutes on the bench. We had one substitute that fine Sunday afternoon: a 13 year old boy name Raúl who casually mentioned to me that same day that he thinks soccer is "a little boring". They were obviously the more experienced and prepared team, yet we had made it to half time and had managed to keep the game at 0-0. I didn't have many words of encouragement for the boys as we were all exhausted and not sure if we could keep up the same pace. However, we marched back onto the field under the hot Guatemalan sun with no renewed sense of vigor. To our opponents' surprise, we were able to keep the game tied at zero until, with just a few minutes left of play, one of our players caught a rebound and managed to score a goal. With that goal we ended up winning the game! Not only had we won the game, but we secured our spot in the final match the following Sunday. With renewed vision and passion we ended up winning the entire tournament a week later (this past Sunday) being presented with the 1st place trophy.

Needless to say, we were all more than excited having gone in as the underdog and coming out on top. Aside from the athletic component, I know that God has called the youth of this orphanage to not only show up and compete but to THRIVE in life. This group of 14 and 15 year old boys has been given so much talent and so many gifts, and when they come together they have been able to see there is little that they cannot accomplish. So, my prayer for them is that God would continue to open doors for them, provide opportunities and to give them grace and favour wherever they go. I can remember praying this for myself and seeing God answer that prayer in many aspects of my life. It is a good lesson for me personally, to remember that when my opponents or challenges in life seem to have every advantage, there is something more at play. God's grace is bigger than anything we are facing or will have to confront in the future coupled with the promise that God is ultimately working all things for our GOOD. Far more transcendent and beyond victories in sporting events, I pray that these young men would live to experience the good things that God has in store for them in every aspect of life.

             We know that in all things, God works for the GOOD of those who love him.      Romans 8:28

                                                                                                                                                  -dsm

Home

         In 2009 when our church team was getting ready to come to Casa Bernabe for the first time, I remember looking online and seeing this picture of a big green building filled with apartments for staff at the orphanage. I remember thinking how pretty it was, but never did I imagine I would one day live there! 

After many weeks, we finally have a place to call our own. We have spent time painting and fixing up the little place. It has been so fun decorating and picking out furniture to make our home perfect for us. 

        I looked up a definition of home and it said that besides being a place where one lives, it also means a place where something flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates. Although David and I are quite content in our new "home," I know it is the first of many to come. 

For some, having a established permanent home is of great priority. Thinking of a place where you will begin your family and create many memories is a beautiful thing; it is a good thing. Yet, in the midst of this desire to have life completely planned out, I am confronted with the fact that in this world there is nothing really permanent or sure. Our hearts can easily faint when we think that life is out of our control.

Take Heart. We are in the hands of one who has our times and seasons in His hands. In our life we can experience a lot of change (including where we call home), yet we can have peace in knowing that our real home is found in the one from whom life comes from. Our Father's heart is where we truly flourish and where we belong. 

In a world full of seasons and changes, we have the privilege of establishing our home on 

The Rock that can never be shaken.

acm

'Tis the Season

Living in a country where Mayan traditions and beliefs still abound, it is relevant to understand the supposed apocalyptic prophecy that awaits its fulfillment this upcoming 21st of December. Although utterly misunderstood, the end of this era marked by the Mayan calendar is causing people in Guatemala to think about what the end could possibly look like. Even with our kids here at the orphanage, questions arise about what the end of the world would like and where we would fit into that story. Unfortunately, scenes of Left Behind mixed with local folklore dance through their young minds causing some of our kids to feel scared while others feel hopeless.

At the same time, it is interesting to think about the theme of hope that is often associated with this Christmas season. This concept becomes even more congruent with our kids as we take them to their court hearings, where their fate is placed in the hands of a judge. In those moments we cannot offer any certainty of what their living situation will look like; whether they will return with a family member, be sent to another orphanage or come home with us. So, as I think about what we do have to offer them, I am so thankful that God has allowed us to have hope. We may be unsure what this December or even 2013 will hold for this nation and the children that call it home, but there is one thing we can be sure of: God made a way for us to have peace in spite of any circumstance. God decided to reach out and offer us all something much more than we could imagine. The fulfillment of God's prophecy is that He chooses us and responds to us in love, instead of uncertainty and pain. So, as we enter the Christmas season and simultaneously draw closer to the end of this Mayan era, it is my intent to discover hope on a deeper level believing that by its very nature, hope proliferates and radiates, instilling itself in those close by. After all, in response to any doubt, sadness, questions, concerns or struggles brought about by this season, I want to be able to offer hope as my response.

dsm

Reason to Give Thanks

       "The Lord is righteous in all His ways and Kind in all His deeds." - Psalm 145:17

              As I reflect today on God's goodness I see one thread that has been present throughout my life: His KINDNESS. In every season of my life God's kindness has been so evident in my life. Yet, this season I can say that I have experienced my Father's kindness in a deeper way. 

We officially have been in Guatemala for 2 weeks!! And Married for one month!! It has been only a short amount of time but it feels as though so much has happened. I have so much to be grateful for this year. So many beautiful blessings have come my way. God's kindness has been apparent in so many details.

First, I am so grateful for my husband. Since the day we got married I have not stopped being amazed at what a great man he is. He reflects the Light and Joy of Jesus. His love for God and for others challenges me; I have so much to learn from him. It has been such a joy getting live life with him and I am so excited for all that our Heavenly Father has for us.

Secondly, I have experienced God's kindness in my move to Guatemala. In this big transition of my life, God's grace has abounded. A phrase that keeps resounding in my heart is "Jesus is carrying my heart." Everyday I have felt God's strength and grace carrying me. I have joy in my heart in being here and working alongside my husband.

Thirdly, I am so grateful for the love I have received from the staff and kids here at Casa Bernabe. Not a day goes by that I don't receive 5 hugs or 10 "Hellos" from the kids. They have received me with open arms. I count it a joy when I get to spend time sharing with them.  There are so many precious people here and I am excited to get to know them more. 

I want to thank you for all your prayers and support. I can really feel God's strength and love these days. I continue to set my eyes on the Author of my story. Although I have lived 26 beautiful years, I feel like my story (or another part of my story) is just beginning. He writes beautiful stories. This week may our eyes be opened to our Father's kindness throughout our lives!

                                                                                                                          - ACM

P.S. Attached are photos from David's 28th birthday party that we celebrated this week!

Back to Reality!

I was asked dozens of times leading up to the wedding how I felt and if I was nervous. The thing about weddings is that they are full of a lot of different emotions and everyone knows it. At times you are nervous and anxious, then excited and so in love that it makes everything feel like Christmas. Then, there are moments of sadness: the realization that you are actually LEAVING and CLEAVING. Ouch. Then there are moments of numbness, where all of the noise and attention can no longer be processed and the only response to it all is a blank stare. Consequently, after the wedding, it has taken time to trek through the emotions jungle and return to some state of stability and truly appreciate the beautiful gift God has given us.

Before the big day arrived, I was thinking about the Jewish custom at weddings to have specific people hold up a "chuppah": a sheet or banner that represents the home that the couple will build together. Thinking about what Andrea and I will build together, I was confronted with the reality that I really don't know what that will look like. I imagine for many couples, the road is somewhat clear with lucrative jobs, comfortable homes and logical plans already in place, however our "chuppah" looks so much different. Andrea and I have come to a place where we know not what the future holds, only that we are to simply take this immediate step we have in front of us, not needing knowing anything else. The past year has been full of changes in plans and as the man in this equation, I felt the need to have a stable and obvious foundation for our chuppah; an insurance of what the next steps of our life would look like. At the least, a place that we could together call home. We had explored opportunities of renting or purchasing a house close to the orphanage, but as the we prayed and pondered about the practical decisions that laid ahead of us, we felt that God was calling us to live in an apartment on campus at the orphanage. I resisted God in this as the physical structure of our chuppah was changing and I was simultaneously bombarded by feelings of inferiority and anxiety. The plan of having the perfect home ready and waiting for my beautiful bride was not going to happen.

However, in that place of contingency, God has continually given us peace. The other night, Andrea read me the meaning of "shalom", which, translated into English is peace. However, there is so much more to this little word that has come to explain the grace of God evidenced in our lives recently. In spite of the dramatic changes, especially for Andrea as she has left her home, family and comforts having moved to Guatemala without having a home of our own, God is freely offering us His shalom: this completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, an absence of agitation or discord. So, although we may not have a place to call home, I am reminded that I can't even remember God ever promising me that much (Luke 9:58). What He has promised is that He will be with us and never leave us (Deutoronomy 31:8). That He will draw close to us as we draw close to Him (James 4:8) and that in our weakness, he will perfect his power (2 Corinthians 12:9). So, we are trying not to focus as much on how we feel, but rather on realizing and being thankful for what God has already given us. He has given us so much more than a "feeling of peace" about being here, He has given us SHALOM, and with that, we couldn't really ask for anything else.

dsm

The Wedding

Almost Time

We have 44 days until our wedding!! WE are so excited to begin this new journey. God's grace and His help has been ever with us and for that we are grateful. Please keep us in our prayers as we approach this exciting day. Thank you.