[Sunday, March 13, 2005]
GUESS WHAT????
It's storming right now. Rain, lightning, thunder- the whole works! We have needed the rain so much. It is very dry and dusty here after going about4 months without rain. What a great thing!
Well, the rain sure is a contrast to the past week. This past week was Spiritual Emphasis Camp for PCS. Last Saturday I went as a counselor for the elementary camp, which was Saturday-Tuesday morning. A team from Cedarville has been coming down for the past 6 years to do the camp for us. It was the same camp I stayed at for the leadership retreat. I was a counselor in a cabin with my 4th grade girls from school. It was really neat to be with them. During camp we had beautiful weather which was perfect for the outdoor games and the kids could play or go swimming at free time. I had a college student from Cedarville as a co-counselor and she was very fun to be with. The chapel times were very good- we learned practical ways of putting God first in our lives. The students and adults were challenged by it.
Well, after elementary camp ended on Tuesday the junior high and high school went out for camp for the rest of the week- so us elementary folk had the rest of the week off! So, my friend Shannon and I went to a Vacation Center in a town called Metepec. It was a lot of fun. We had excellent travel. We took 3 different buses, the main one was about an hour ride. The town of Metepec is very close to the base of Mt. Popocatepetl and it has Evacuation Route signs everywhere. The town itself is very small and very typical of Mexico. The resort was beautiful. We made hotel reservations and stayed 2 nights. It was a very relaxing time. We were able to lie by the pool and enjoy the sunshine. We did get in the pool also. The scenery was gorgeous and I enjoyed many different times of prayer and Bible study outside. Ah, how the heavens truly display the glory of God. We came back to Puebla yesterday and celebrated Shannon's birthday with our friends.
Today, as a very nice end to my few days off, we had our church service out at the camp. The Hudsons were here with the team from Cedarville this week, so Rick preached and we had a church picnic afterward. Many new families came today- which is encouraging, because having church at camp is a way to reach out to those who wouldn't normally come to church. It was neat to see new faces!
Well, I had 2 interesting trips to Awana the past 2 Wednesdays. 2 weeks ago, for the first time since I've been here in Puebla, I got on the wrong bus. What happened is that some of the buses have 2 different numbers on them- a route number and a unit number. Well, I happened to look at the wrong number and ended up on the wrong bus. Fortunately I realized I was on the wrong bus and knew the route we were on. So, I was able to switch buses and go back to the main road to take the right bus. Well, after waiting for a long time I decided just to go home because Awana would be half way over by the time I got there. That was a bummer. Then, last Wednesday when I was getting out of the combi (public transportation like a VW bus) I didn't duck low enough and I hit my head on the doorway so hard that I had a large bump, a headache, and was very tired and nauseated! The spot where I hit is still sore! So hopefully this week I'll make it to Awana after one bus ride and will not have any accidents on the way!
I think I've covered just about everything. Oh, yes, I am getting a student teacher this week. She'll be here from March 17-April 27. I'll let you know more about that next time I write.
Well, I just want you all to know that God loves you very much. Whatever you are going through- he is there. Call on Him. If you don't know God- trust in His Son, Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life!! Have a great week!
Angelina
It's storming right now. Rain, lightning, thunder- the whole works! We have needed the rain so much. It is very dry and dusty here after going about4 months without rain. What a great thing!
Well, the rain sure is a contrast to the past week. This past week was Spiritual Emphasis Camp for PCS. Last Saturday I went as a counselor for the elementary camp, which was Saturday-Tuesday morning. A team from Cedarville has been coming down for the past 6 years to do the camp for us. It was the same camp I stayed at for the leadership retreat. I was a counselor in a cabin with my 4th grade girls from school. It was really neat to be with them. During camp we had beautiful weather which was perfect for the outdoor games and the kids could play or go swimming at free time. I had a college student from Cedarville as a co-counselor and she was very fun to be with. The chapel times were very good- we learned practical ways of putting God first in our lives. The students and adults were challenged by it.
Well, after elementary camp ended on Tuesday the junior high and high school went out for camp for the rest of the week- so us elementary folk had the rest of the week off! So, my friend Shannon and I went to a Vacation Center in a town called Metepec. It was a lot of fun. We had excellent travel. We took 3 different buses, the main one was about an hour ride. The town of Metepec is very close to the base of Mt. Popocatepetl and it has Evacuation Route signs everywhere. The town itself is very small and very typical of Mexico. The resort was beautiful. We made hotel reservations and stayed 2 nights. It was a very relaxing time. We were able to lie by the pool and enjoy the sunshine. We did get in the pool also. The scenery was gorgeous and I enjoyed many different times of prayer and Bible study outside. Ah, how the heavens truly display the glory of God. We came back to Puebla yesterday and celebrated Shannon's birthday with our friends.
Today, as a very nice end to my few days off, we had our church service out at the camp. The Hudsons were here with the team from Cedarville this week, so Rick preached and we had a church picnic afterward. Many new families came today- which is encouraging, because having church at camp is a way to reach out to those who wouldn't normally come to church. It was neat to see new faces!
Well, I had 2 interesting trips to Awana the past 2 Wednesdays. 2 weeks ago, for the first time since I've been here in Puebla, I got on the wrong bus. What happened is that some of the buses have 2 different numbers on them- a route number and a unit number. Well, I happened to look at the wrong number and ended up on the wrong bus. Fortunately I realized I was on the wrong bus and knew the route we were on. So, I was able to switch buses and go back to the main road to take the right bus. Well, after waiting for a long time I decided just to go home because Awana would be half way over by the time I got there. That was a bummer. Then, last Wednesday when I was getting out of the combi (public transportation like a VW bus) I didn't duck low enough and I hit my head on the doorway so hard that I had a large bump, a headache, and was very tired and nauseated! The spot where I hit is still sore! So hopefully this week I'll make it to Awana after one bus ride and will not have any accidents on the way!
I think I've covered just about everything. Oh, yes, I am getting a student teacher this week. She'll be here from March 17-April 27. I'll let you know more about that next time I write.
Well, I just want you all to know that God loves you very much. Whatever you are going through- he is there. Call on Him. If you don't know God- trust in His Son, Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life!! Have a great week!
Angelina
[Tuesday, March 01, 2005]
I have so much to tell you today! Well, first of all, thanks for your prayers. I have felt God speaking to me through His word and His servants this week. I went to a retreat at a Christian camp this weekend. The retreat was planned by a church in Puebla. I did not know anyone and noone really spoke English, so that was different for me. I got to the camp Friday afternoon and waited for registration, which was supposed to be at 4:00. I arrived a little bit early and walked around the camp . Well, 4:00 came and went without anyone else showing up. I decided to pass the time reading my Bible and studying some Spanish. Then, 5:00 came and went. A few more people started to show up but noone seemed to know what to do or where to go. Finally around 6:00 registration began. I was a little frustrated at the Mexican culture (tardiness) but was glad to finally know what cabin I'd be in. I soon got involved in a soccer game with some other people, which I enjoyed. Around 7:00 I began to wonder when dinner was. See, I eat on the American schedule because lunch break at school is at noon. So, I was getting pretty hungry. I checked the schedule and it said dinner was at 7:30. So, around 7:45 we were called to the dining hall where the food was ready on the tables. However, instead of eating, we played some "get to know each other" games. I was so hungry, tired and frustrated that I was not at all enjoying the time. Finally around 8:45 we had dinner. By that time of course, the food was very cold and for an experiment we had to eat with our wrists tied the the people's sitting next to us. So, as you can imagine, my time did not start off so well. Saturday, however was very beneficial. God gave me an attitude check and I started the day off fresh. For the first 7 hours of Saturday I did not speak or hear English. It was complete Spanish- which I can handle, but by 2:00 in the afternoon I just wanted to express myself to someone in English. Fortunately some English speaking friends of mine came out to the camp and I got to rest my brain for awhile.
Not only was I mentally challenged at the retreat, I also was spiritually challenged. I learned several things about being a leader. We had 3 conferences with the whole group and two where men and women split up. God really spoke to me during the womens meetings. He really assured me that He has a wonderful plan for my future that He alone can accomplish so I just have to quit worrying and trust Him. It was interesting because I learned something about the verse that says, "take up your cross and follow me." Well, in Spanish, "sigame" means, "follow me." The verb "seguir" means "to follow." The word "seguir" is taken from two other verbs, "ser guiado" which means, "to be guided." So, in essence I learned through the Spanish translation that when Christ says, "Follow me," He is actually saying, "Be guided by me." So, I tell you all that to say that Christ is calling me to just simply let Him guide me. I was very challenged to have more trust. There is a verse I've read several times lately in the Psalms that says, "You have been my trust from my youth." God has been so faithful to me and has always prepared my way. I am reminded that He still is preparing the way for me. What an encouraging and marvelous thing to think about! Please know that this same concept applies to you. God has a plan for you- for today, tomorrow, and everyday of your life. Simply trust and be guided by Him!
This weekend and next week our school has Spiritual Emphasis Camp. A group from Cedarville has prepared for the camp and is coming down with Rick and Carol Hudson to do the camp. I will be going for the elementary part. Please pray that God will use this camp in the kids' lives as much or more as He used camp in my life this week!
God Bless You and May He Open Your Eyes to See The Blessings Everyday
Angelina
Not only was I mentally challenged at the retreat, I also was spiritually challenged. I learned several things about being a leader. We had 3 conferences with the whole group and two where men and women split up. God really spoke to me during the womens meetings. He really assured me that He has a wonderful plan for my future that He alone can accomplish so I just have to quit worrying and trust Him. It was interesting because I learned something about the verse that says, "take up your cross and follow me." Well, in Spanish, "sigame" means, "follow me." The verb "seguir" means "to follow." The word "seguir" is taken from two other verbs, "ser guiado" which means, "to be guided." So, in essence I learned through the Spanish translation that when Christ says, "Follow me," He is actually saying, "Be guided by me." So, I tell you all that to say that Christ is calling me to just simply let Him guide me. I was very challenged to have more trust. There is a verse I've read several times lately in the Psalms that says, "You have been my trust from my youth." God has been so faithful to me and has always prepared my way. I am reminded that He still is preparing the way for me. What an encouraging and marvelous thing to think about! Please know that this same concept applies to you. God has a plan for you- for today, tomorrow, and everyday of your life. Simply trust and be guided by Him!
This weekend and next week our school has Spiritual Emphasis Camp. A group from Cedarville has prepared for the camp and is coming down with Rick and Carol Hudson to do the camp. I will be going for the elementary part. Please pray that God will use this camp in the kids' lives as much or more as He used camp in my life this week!
God Bless You and May He Open Your Eyes to See The Blessings Everyday
Angelina
