comfort in plans

The past few days have been absolutely wonderful!

Sunday was the 47th Anniversary of the AICN (Asociacíon de Iglesias de Cristo de Nicaragua - Association of the Church of Christ in Nicaragua). There are 150 churches in the AICN. Pastor Pablo - my host dad - is the President of it (which is a Bishop-like position). All of the churches met for a large joint worship service at the Campamento. A large Campground that has a huge pavilion where we held church. All of the members of El Buen Pastor piled in the bus here in front of my house at about 6:30 in the morning to go to worship! We arrived at the camp around 8:00 and we left at 12:30. It was a marvelous testament to connectionalism within church denominations... and made me feel right at home!

The past week or so, I've been helping my friend Marli - a young person in the church - with an English presentation that she had to give. One part of the Presentation was to sing a song in English, so we were practicing Oh Happy Day together. She asked me if I could take a day off at the Project to sing with her for her presentation, and I readily agreed (I love a performance!). So on Monday we spent our morning preparing her for all aspects of the presentation, and then we headed out to her school, Cornerstone, for class. However, things aren't always what we plan. The second Marli introduced me to her Professor I was hustled back to another classroom with the further advanced students to speak with them. I felt awful leaving Marli high and dry... (fortunately it turned out that the song-aspect of her presentation wasn't until Tuesday, and so I wouldn't have done anything in the class anyway.)
I walked into a room of around 20 or so people, ranging from probably around 16 to 30. I introduced myself, and was ATTACKED with questions! I have NEVER had a room of people so attentive to me. Never have I given a presentation, or shared to roomful of people (about ANYTHING) where I have truly been the center of everyone's focus (although Pops assures me that I am the center of the universe all the time... I never felt so sure of it before yesterday hahahaha). It was so much fun to meet all of these people (in second and third level) and speak with them. Cornerstone is an interesting program, each level is 2 months... there are 6 levels and within a year you are fluent in English. The second and third level students had EXCELLENT language skills. I'm not sure that my Spanish skills don't compare with their English skills... and only one person in the class had ever been to the USA.
They asked about me, my life, my town, state, family, food, hobbies, talents, education, country... they talked of their country, history, politics, tourism. They wanted to know what I was doing in Nicaragua, where I'd been, what I liked of it, etc. etc. We discussed History of both countries, as well as Politics, Religion, and I had an AWESOME opportunity to evangelize - which I completely embraced. It was such a great experience. I was invited back, they would love me to come as often as possible, and I'm sure I would return - I feel I could really have an impact for Jesus there.

Then there was today - Tuesday. Originally I was going to take another day off (I know that sounds like I am just not working) to go with Isaac to visit his University, and also to do some shopping (not shopping just for fun... although it would have been... but to get some things that I need). Well, Omar - the volunteer/delegation organizer for the Project - gave me a call yesterday, and asked that I come to the Project today. So, I changed my plans.
I went to the Project this morning and when Omar arrived we discussed what I've been up to. He's been busy with other aspects of his job, and hasn't been able to devote as much time to my work at the Project as he maybe should have been... but Nicaraguan time isn't exactly a New York Minute... When he realized that all I was really doing was teaching reading to 5 first graders once a day, and then just filling in when people needed help, he felt badly. Usually they've had a position pretty much set up when Volunteers arrive... and usually there is another volunteer here who is about to leave, and can take the new volunteer under his/her wing and teach them everything they need to know. Well, with little me that hasn't exactly been the case... another reason why I've been here over three weeks and ball has hardly been rolling...
So, I have a real position, and tomorrow Javier (the school director) and I are going to meet to figure out my specific schedule!!! I am going to be teaching Music! I will also be assisting Bermon (the Art/English teacher) with Art class... because he was only teaching Art because no one else was available at the beginning of the semeseter. I'll have one or two music classes on Monday Tuesday and Thursday, help with Art on Tuesday and Thursday (I believe those are the Art days), and continue to be the first grade advanced readers' teacher. This pretty much encompasses what my work at the school will be for the next three months. It will definitely be difficult/taxing to come up with a music program, and teach it, with little music vocabulary (but God will provide!). Because of some donations I'll be able to purchase some much needed materials (Thank You everyone who has supported me monetarily).
As I have briefly mentioned (in my Life is Like a Box of Chocolates entry) I will also be implementing an after school club for the young girls. We don't have a specific start date yet, I imagine that ball might not get rolling until the beginning October - but no worries, when it starts I am sure it will have an amazing impact. (October is only 8 days away!) Also, as school ends for the semester at the end of November, I will be here for most of December, and be able to continue the Girl's Club whenever they don't have school - it being my main focus/mission. Anyway, I am glad it's not starting right away, because I need to get the music class squared away first!

I know you are all already praying for me... but just to recap - please thank God for the opportunities I have to serve him here - whether I go to Cornerstone and help them with their English, while witnessing... or whether I am teaching music, helping with Art, or working with the Girl's Club (we're really going to have to come up with a name for it... any suggestions?? "Girl's Club" sounds rather LAME) - I feel God is using me in amazing ways and has so many plans and purposes for my short time in this place. I am so blessed to have this opportunity - but it's not MY mission - it's obviously God's, but as well it's YOUR mission. You at home who are thinking of me, praying for me, and supporting me, have as much a role to play... so continue to keep our work in your daily talk with Jesus.

Thank you for being together with me in mission and in Spirit. ¡Que Dios les bendiga!