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