Honduran Happenings: Embracing the Changes of Life

Life is full of change...some changes are good, some are hard, some are necessary and others unavoidable...either way I truly believe that change is just what you make of it. If you embrace it, thank The Lord for it, and search for the joy in it, life will be so much more enjoyable. The Lord is our constant source of joy and it is such a comfort, for me, to rest in His perfect peace and trust His plan for my life. He knew every change that took place and He sees all the change coming up. He uses each situation to draw us closer to Himself and removes every thing that takes the place He longs to hold in our hearts. The past year has been quite a stripping process for me and full of changes (most of them completely out of my control) but looking back, as I sit on my bed in Honduras writing this, I am overwhelmed at the goodness of The Lord to take away all He did for me to end up here. Of course through the process it hurt and didn't make sense, but if we know the heart of our Father we can trust Him and trust that His ways are ALWAYS for our good!

Life here in Honduras is following the pattern and lesson I've been learning...embrace change. Some little things and some big things. Overall, I have and am learning to just enjoy the spontaneous way of life here. Hondurans are much more laid back, in general, than us crazy Americans. There is just a different drive behind all they do and I am truly learning to love it. Schedules are not set weeks or months in advance. They take time for family and friends and are more available to be involved in the community around them because of the less busy lifestyle. It is refreshing to not constantly be rushing around all the time.

This past week has been so great! Last monday we had a day off (it was Independence Day for Honduras) so we went to the beach with Pastor Elias and family as well as some other friends from church. We had such a relaxing time at Pastor Elias' father's beach house. It was like a mini vacation and so peaceful...just what I needed.

The following week was full of teaching and still trying to arrange all the students in the correct classes. I think we almost have it figured out. Our studio is coming along. We now (as of a few days ago) have ballet barres installed and expect to have the air conditioner installed this week or next. We have been holding classes in a small room with a wooden floor which has been great so far; however, we are eager to have more space and an official ballet classroom setting. Mirrors should come soon and then the challenge of building the sprung dance floor. There is a possibility my parents will come help with building the floor since my dad has built several dance floors before. I am overjoyed with the idea of them coming and am trusting The Lord to provide financially for them to come. He is able! I would just love for them to meet the wonderful people I am daily blessed by and to get a feel for what life is like down here. I have been asking The Lord for contentment and He is definitely answering my prayers. I am growing to love this place and I know as I grow in relationships with all the people in the community the love will only grow stronger.

Something fun we have been doing the past two Saturday nights is a family movie night on the lawn outside the Arts School building. It is a time for the students of Adoremos Arts School (which include more than just ballet...we offer piano, guitar, voice, bass and drum classes as well) to get together and reach out to the community for a time of fellowship, food and a small presentation. The first week Amy and I danced and the second week one of the very talented guitar teachers performed a song to open the evening. We have been showing old musical films that are good for the whole family. It has been great for Amy and I because the movies are in English. :) I have so enjoyed getting to know people from church and feel like I am sitting there with my family laughing and enjoying the outdoors.

One of the very special things about living here and literally being on the school/church campus is how accessible everything is for us. We get to see the same people everyday as we walk to and from our house to various places. Since most of our ballet students attend Sunshine school, as we walk past the classrooms many of them come running up to hug us. It really makes us feel so loved and involved in the lives of everyone. Most of our students also attend the church here, as well, and it is absolutely precious how much they adore us. Most church services during worship time Amy and I get dragged to the open space in the back of the church by adorable little hands and eager eyes. They just want us to dance with them! As I begin to worship The Lord through spontaneous dancing I will glance behind me and there is a group of 10 or so precious little girls following my every move. It is so humbling to realize how much they look up to us and it makes me lean more and more on The Lord. I want Him to shine through me so that they see Him and long to be more like Him rather than me. It also makes me think how much we should have that child like eagerness to follow our Lord and mimic His every move.

I do have a few specific prayer requests if you wouldn't mind interceding with me:

- Pray for Amy and I as we are trying to instill the disciplines of ballet into these young girls. We want to inspire them to work hard for The Lord and to challenge themselves. The strict structure of ballet is a new concept to them. Please pray for patience and wisdom on how to teach them the importance of being diligent students but also how to encourage them in their walks with The Lord.

- As mentioned before, please join me with in praying for The Lord to make a way for my parents to come. It would mean so much to all of us and I know they would be a huge help and blessing to the community here.

-Please pray for Amy and I to press forward with learning Spanish. We are expanding our vocabulary but could really use extra grace and wisdom from The Lord. I know so many more connections could be made and testimonies from our own lives shared if we could speak the language and interact with believers and unbelievers here.

Love you all and miss you!

We were invited over by some sweet ladies of the church to have Baleadas...a very delicious and traditional Honduran meal. I was so touched by their love and hospitality.