Every little thing gonna be alright

I've come to peace with, and even happy about, the realization that Honduras is not my permanent home - that I won't be here more than another year and a half. However, being that I have a one-track mind, that's made it harder for me to be present and keep my thoughts focused on the here and now. That, plus financial issues, problems with students and their parents, and health problems have all brought me down. I was starting to get depressed, but a few days ago, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head, and I realized that "every little thing is gonna be alright." God has been cementing this revelation in my spirit more every day. A lot of problems have been worked out, as well...

My dad called my loan company and straightened things out so that I can defer my loan payments. The sixth grader that had been ruining class for everyone was going to be suspended for eight days. When we had a meeting with his mother, however, she decided to take him out of the school altogether because he continues to show he has no interest in changing. Since then, sixth grade has been so much more enjoyable, and I feel I'm winning the class back. I went to the ear, nose, and throat doctor about my nose bleeds and found out I have a crooked nose (deviated septum), and the medications I've been given should take care of the problem.

Please pray for me to continue to find joy and purpose in each day. Several friends here have been really down, too, so please keep us all in prayer. Keep praying for Silvia, and also for Gladys, a Spanish teacher who recently experienced partial facial paralysis. She has been out of school because she cannot speak well enough to be understood.

Oh, Honduras...cultural notes
-Honduras is full of beggars. At first, I didn't know how to react to them, but sometimes I bought them food or gave them money. I have some friends who have felt convicted by the command in Luke 6:30 to give to everyone who begs from you. They carry juice boxes and snacks whenever they go out and give to every beggar they see. Inspired by their example, I've been stopping to help anyone who begs from me. It's funny that one day, when I was on my way to the doctor's and feeling particularly discouraged, I was approached by two boys asking for money. The opportunity to buy them a snack and drink at the pulperia (convenience store) completely changed my mood and picked me up. Today, I walked downtown with one of these friends that regularly gives out food, and I was amazed to see her not just giving to those who asked, but even seeking the needy out. Since she lives downtown, she's had ample opportunity to distribute food, and she's formed relationships with many people. I was really impressed, and convicted once again.
-Just as it's hard to walk down the street without being approached by a beggar, it's almost impossible to walk down the street without seeing cows or even donkeys grazing on the side of the road. This past week, an angry bull got inside the school gate shortly after dismissal. There were several students still on school property, and the bull nearly mauled them, but they ran fast enough and were able to get away. Thank God the only damage that was done was to everyone's nerves.

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. -Luke 6:30

Progress

Classes were canceled on Friday for a teacher's retreat. We drove to a restaurant on Lake Yojoa about 45 minutes away, and a local pastor (the father of one of my 6th graders) gave a message on excellence. He said a lot of things that really spoke to me, but what I most remember is this quote: "Worry more about helping others feel good about themselves than helping them feel good about you." That one piece of advice brought me some much-needed perspective. I and a couple of other bilingual staff members were asked to help translate the message for the English-speaking teachers. I was chosen to start, but I didn't get tired of it, and no one offered to replace me, so I ended up translating the entire message, at least two hours. I really enjoyed it and received compliments from many of the English speakers.

Afterwards, we were served lunch, and then we had two hours to relax before heading home. I ended up talking with the pastor the whole time. It was a very uplifting conversation about the things of God and our life experiences. He told me several times that God has a ministry for me, and that he's confident God will bring me to a place where I am needed (I told him I don't think I'll be in Honduras after June 2011).

I've bee feeling very discouraged over the past few weeks, but God has been using things like this...affirmative words from others, Scriptures, songs, etc...to encourage me. And I feel encouraged for a little while, but there are some circumstances in my life that have me feeling very uncertain, and, well, discouraged. So please pray for my heart to be encouraged and for me to find the strength to choose joy and a positive attitude and to live above my circumstances.

Silvia, our school director, is feeling better. The infection in her lungs has cleared up, but she's still dealing with complications from the high doses of medications they've been giving her, so please continue to pray.

My principal plans to call a meeting on Monday afternoon with the mother of the student who has been seriously disrupting class. At the least, he will be suspended from school for eight days, since that is the next step in the school's discipline policy. Please pray for a resolution to these problems.

I've been given permission to leave my students with a sub while I go to the ear, nose, and throat doctor. I will pay, but the school will compensate me for the cost. God is faithful. Please pray for this issue with nose bleeds to be resolved quickly. I plan to go for the initial consult on Tuesday morning.

The picture below is of a note hidden between my papers by a student on a day I really needed encouragement :-)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

-Psalm 118:1