Trying to Make a Difference

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." - Acts 16:25

Today was a fairly productive day. I spent the morning at school, typing up schedules for the fall semester and collecting curriculum. I am almost finished with the elementary school, and then I will finish the high school.

After lunch, I took a trip to the city. I picked up the new teacher, Amanda, from language school to give her a break. We went shopping, and then I had a meeting with a prospective missionary. He is interested in enrolling his kids in our school, so I spent some time with him talking about his kids, their abilities, and discussed logistics. After dropping Amanda back at her host family, I returned to the ranch in time for a ranchwide barbecue. Now, I am not usually a fan of large gatherings at the ranch. However, it was nice seeing all the kids since we are currently out of school. I also have enjoyed getting to know one of the team members better this week. The young woman, Lisa, has been here several times before. Lisa stopped over last night and we talked for quite awhile. I have really enjoyed getting to know her and her heart. She'd make a great missionary, but I don't know if that is God's calling on her life.

As for me, I have felt more sure than ever that this is God's calling on my life. I do not know for how long, but last week while on the beach, I had tremendous peace about being here in Honduras. You would hope I would have had that same peace over the three years I have been here, and I have. Somehow though, I was just reassured that I am exactly where I am meant to be at this moment. I love this country and its people. I love the children, and I love reaching out to the poor and needy. But I never feel like it is enough. There is so much need here. I know I am fulfilling a need here, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of other kids living on the streets of Tegucigalpa. I read the Scripture I wrote above in my quiet time this morning. It made me think of a friend of mine here who is witnessing to a gang member that robbed his home - TWICE! This gang member has since been off drugs for almost two weeks, was arrested for suspected gang activity, and PRAYED in jail! He says it brought him peace, and he then brought another guy with him to hear the same witness. I don't know if this guy has accepted Christ, but he is moving in the right direction. And all because my friend allowed the Holy Spirit to work through him, submitting to Christ rather than anger and revenge. I have never had the opportunity to make such a major difference in someone's life. I can only pray that as I pray and sing hymns to God, someone in need, spiritual need, will listen. Please continue to pray for this country, and the countless children who are suffering here. And please continue to pray for me, that I would be an effective vessel for the Kingdom of God.