Things that Make Me Smile :)

This week has been one full of changes (school starting!) and difficulties (someone attempted to break into my apartment early Monday morning—I’m all right, just a little jumpy and not sleeping very well at the moment). A few months ago when I was struggling to adjust, a friend back home challenged me to make a list of every blessing and provision from the Lord and dwell on those things, rather than the struggles. Anyways, I thought this week would be a good one to revisit the list—so here are the things that I’m thankful for this week:

1. Kids: Does this really need any explanation?! Nothing brightens my day like being with kids—hearing stories about their imaginary friend, Yak, playing games, teaching them, reading bedtime stories, all of it.
2. Christmas cards in January: Mail takes a while to get to Ukarumpa, but that just makes trips to the post office more fun!
3. Friends: I’m so blessed with great friends here in Ukarumpa, in Mexico, and at home in the States.
4. School: When I was really young, I got up and got dressed only a couple hours after my parents put me to bed because I was so excited to go to school…while I definitely don’t do that anymore, I do still love school.
5. Sunny days: They’re just cheerful and make hot water (solar powered hot water heaters)! (And help with #9!)
6. Playing guitar (or flute): I love everything about music, especially making it.
7. Spanish worship music: Again, I love music, but it also reminds me of my friends in Mexico and to pray for them.
8. Baking: Mmm, there’s just nothing like fresh baked cookies or bread (even if it doesn’t turn out quite right)!
9. Clean laundry: Folding clean, dry laundry, fresh off the clothes line is just much more enjoyable (albeit a bit more work) than from a dryer.
10. Earthquakes: Weird, I know, but they remind me of where I am and God’s faithfulness in getting me here and sustaining me.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13

Calling All Teachers!

Remember when you were a kid and school was called off for a day, or maybe even two? Why was school called off—snow, ice, -30F temperatures? Now imagine that you are a missionary on the field with school-aged children; there is a school on your mission center, but it isn’t fully staffed, and can’t offer classes until they find qualified teachers. This scenario is exactly where Ukarumpa International School (UIS) Primary Campus found itself last week.

Better than TV

Life in the village is typically slow paced and very routine: work in the gardens in the morning and then around 2 pm, it’s off to market with produce to sell. (Read about my market adventure here.) After the evening meal, everyone sits and talks for a while, and then it’s time for bed.

On occasion, though, things that are slightly out of the ordinary happen…