It's been a great and challenging week.
As many of you know, my church, ISA, is taking me on as part time staff. Last year I somehow managed to work more than any sane person should, and the Lord provided sanity most of the time, and tissues when my sanity broke and I needed a good cry.
But 2013 is going to be different. Starting Feb 1st I will be working two days a week as a woman's pastor with ISA. Another day a week, I will be coordinating a pastoral apprenticeship program in the Anglican Church of Chile. And then of course, my half time job with Fundacion Generacion. It will be an interesting and exciting year!
I'm in the time of transition now between English teaching and taking on full time ministry. And I'm loving it. My job with ISA is primarily discipleship with the women, overall leadership as part of the pastoral team, and putting some administrative order into the church. Really, it's a dream come true.
In the last few weeks I've had the chance to really serve my church. There have been numerous conversations with women, pouring our hearts out over coffee and digging deep in the bible together. I've been able to accompany one family in the birth of a son, and another family in the death of their father. This week in particular, is the week of surgeries. We are a small church still, around 60 people, but this week there were three surgeries. I got the chance to visit a few of the women who had surgeries this week as they recovered in the hospital. To pray for them, encourage them, just be there for them. It's been a week full of sweet moments with these women.
But life still goes on and there are always logistics to deal with. This week, the charger for my computer broke. Thankfully it's still covered under the warranty and I just had to leave it with the tech guys for a few days. This meant I had to use one of my old computers for working. And let me tell you, these computers are so slow, SO slow, that I know they can only be an agent of God to grow me in patience. But again, God provided.
And finally, some exciting news. I am trying to buy an apartment! Yeap. Here in my sweet neighborhood of Lastarria, right in the heart of Santiago, Chile. It's not surprising to me or my closest friends and family since they know how much I love this area and that I am very serious about staying here long term. But it's funny when I tell my chilean friends. They all look at me surprised and say, "Wow, so you really want to stay here!" Umm... yes. I'm pretty sure I've told them plenty of times in the last two years that I am planning on being here long term. But evidently I have to buy property in order to prove it.
It's a little complicated for me to buy, long story. But God has blessed me with incredible contacts who are helping me along the way. I know so many lawyers here and one of them just happens to specialize in the exact area that I need counsel in. And each step of this process has been a testimony to God's good and perfect timing. I've been incredibly blessed to see my family come around me and support me in this process. Really, there aren't words to describe how incredible it has been to trust God in this process and see Him provide for each step along the way.
So we'll see. I really hope to have news for you all soon!
And that's it for now. A long, sweet, challenging week.
As many of you know, my church, ISA, is taking me on as part time staff. Last year I somehow managed to work more than any sane person should, and the Lord provided sanity most of the time, and tissues when my sanity broke and I needed a good cry.
But 2013 is going to be different. Starting Feb 1st I will be working two days a week as a woman's pastor with ISA. Another day a week, I will be coordinating a pastoral apprenticeship program in the Anglican Church of Chile. And then of course, my half time job with Fundacion Generacion. It will be an interesting and exciting year!
I'm in the time of transition now between English teaching and taking on full time ministry. And I'm loving it. My job with ISA is primarily discipleship with the women, overall leadership as part of the pastoral team, and putting some administrative order into the church. Really, it's a dream come true.
In the last few weeks I've had the chance to really serve my church. There have been numerous conversations with women, pouring our hearts out over coffee and digging deep in the bible together. I've been able to accompany one family in the birth of a son, and another family in the death of their father. This week in particular, is the week of surgeries. We are a small church still, around 60 people, but this week there were three surgeries. I got the chance to visit a few of the women who had surgeries this week as they recovered in the hospital. To pray for them, encourage them, just be there for them. It's been a week full of sweet moments with these women.
But life still goes on and there are always logistics to deal with. This week, the charger for my computer broke. Thankfully it's still covered under the warranty and I just had to leave it with the tech guys for a few days. This meant I had to use one of my old computers for working. And let me tell you, these computers are so slow, SO slow, that I know they can only be an agent of God to grow me in patience. But again, God provided.
And finally, some exciting news. I am trying to buy an apartment! Yeap. Here in my sweet neighborhood of Lastarria, right in the heart of Santiago, Chile. It's not surprising to me or my closest friends and family since they know how much I love this area and that I am very serious about staying here long term. But it's funny when I tell my chilean friends. They all look at me surprised and say, "Wow, so you really want to stay here!" Umm... yes. I'm pretty sure I've told them plenty of times in the last two years that I am planning on being here long term. But evidently I have to buy property in order to prove it.
It's a little complicated for me to buy, long story. But God has blessed me with incredible contacts who are helping me along the way. I know so many lawyers here and one of them just happens to specialize in the exact area that I need counsel in. And each step of this process has been a testimony to God's good and perfect timing. I've been incredibly blessed to see my family come around me and support me in this process. Really, there aren't words to describe how incredible it has been to trust God in this process and see Him provide for each step along the way.
So we'll see. I really hope to have news for you all soon!
And that's it for now. A long, sweet, challenging week.
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