Wait...What??

So, throughout my 9 months here, I have numerously said, "Wait, what?" Usually it pertains to them wanting me to do something that was totally outside my comfort zone, which yes, I know, that's ministry...lol. So, one would think that I would have learned that by now and just go with the flow; however, these past weeks, I think I have used this phrase almost every other day...okay, not that bad.

The first time was on cinco de mayo (which, it is celebrated more in the US than Mexico-ironic is it not?) Anyway, Elizabeth, the Guzman's daughter, came over to play some "board games"; however, it was an excuse for some of my friends, headed by these two 15 yr old twins, Melissa and Montse, who are amazing, to throw me a surprise birthday party with an American, chocolate, chocolate cake (Mexican cake is quite different) with M&Ms-yes, they know me well;) I'm just so blessed that the Lord provided me with some fantastic friends here, and though at times there is a language barrier, we are sisters in Christ and true friends, whom I will miss when I return to the States.

Then the next day, was a "Wait...what?" experience because in Mexico, they celebrate Kid's Day, to celebrated kids, on April 30th, but we were on Spring break, so we celebrated it May 6th. It was a lot of fun. We went to Pizza Hut, and the kids played on their playground, learned how the pizza made, and made their own personal pizzas. It was a fun and unique experience, especially when my kids asked me what we did in America for Kid's Day and watching their shocked faces when I told them that we don't have a Kid's Day in the States...it was priceless.

Another culture difference is Mother's Day here is always May 10th-so this year, I made sure my mom had two Mother's Day=) It was funny to be asked about it because on Sunday, I wrote on my mom's facebook to wish her a Happy Birthday, and they were like, Rhonda, Mother's Day isn't until Tuesday, and I said, "Not in the States", but we celebrated Mother's Day with a mini-program at the school. I taught my mothers a "Mexican Chip-Dip"-kind of ironic that I'm in Mexico teaching a "Mexican" recipe, and then my embarrassing, "Wait...what" moment, came when Mrs. Guzman made me speak Spanish in front of all the parents. Yes, I still get so embarrassed speaking Spanish in front of a lot of people-but I survived-God is so good=)

God is still teaching me so much about depending upon Him and waiting on Him. He is constant and is constantly pursuing His children. We simply need to sit at His feet and pursue Him, resting in Him and falling in love of Him-He truly is awesome-there are times I just stand in awe of His love and His desire He has to want a relationship with me-enjoy Him and your relationship with Him!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

Contemplations

First, I must apologize-I just realized that I have not blogged in over two months. I have been busy, but I know that that is really not an excuse. My first college roomie, who is also a good friend, blogs and took a challenge to blog everyday for a month-so proud Amy=), though it makes me feel bad that I can't even blog once a week, but I will work on it-promise!!

Well, these past two weeks I have been on as they call it here "Semana Santa", which directly translated means, "Holy Week"-but we would consider it Spring Break. I'm not going to lie-April has probably been the hardest month so far-it was a busy month, and I just struggled a lot with various issues and spiritual warfare. But as I had these two weeks off, I thought back to when I was an RA, and the director, before our Christmas and Spring breaks, he would challenge us to think about it has "half-time" and "time-out" and reflect on the ministry we were doing on our halls. So thinking of that, I thought a lot about my New Year's Resolutions, how was I doing with those, as well as the goals I have as a teacher, and how I was with the most important aspect-my relationship with God. As I said, April has been an extremely challenging month, yet as I reflected back these four months and then to the almost 9 months I've been here, I can see how God is still at work, still at my side, even through the hard times. It doesn't matter if I struggle or if I grow discourage, what matters is that I remember to look to Him, my Refuge, my Strength, my Comforter. There is this amazing song called "Blessings" by Laura Story I heard today (the lyrics are below) that talked about how there are times God uses the low points in life at times, the pain, the confusion, the loneliness, the "whatever" to teach us, to bless us by molding us, to refining us-to be refined, we must go through fire-through pain to come out as a beautiful vessel to be used by the One who is worthy, the One who promises to be right there, by our side when we follow Him!!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

Blessings-Laura Story
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

The Little Things

This blog is just going to be about the little things that make me smile, even now thinking about them...some have to do with my students, others with my amazing co-workers, and lastly, about my amazing Abba=)

Last week, it all started when one of my girls asked, "Maestra, why do you have freckles?" So, I explained that my mom had a lot, so I have them as well. Then another of my students spoke up and said she thought it was because of the sun. I then further explained how if I am in the sun, I do get even more freckles. With that said, my kids immediately pulled me out into the sun and stared intently at my arm for like 5 minutes, though I kept telling them that it's a gradual thing, that it won't happen immediately (I think they were a little disappointed). It was really cute=)

Then today, one of my boys complained to me that no one wanted to play with him during recess, so I told him I'd play for him-though I admit, I just wanted to get some stuff done, but I knew this is what I should do. He wanted to play tag, so soon all of my kids were playing with us-and it was so much fun. They even thought that if they were holding onto my arm or held my arm, they would somehow escape from being tag from whomever was it at the moment. But I had a blast-it was such a highlight to the day!

Last week, the two teachers I work with invited me to go get tacos at this restaurant close by-and these teachers will bring me food to try or just help in anyway they can. It was just so much fun to hang out with them outside of school as they tried to explain the difference between all the different tacos-you would be surprised at all the different kinds. And it was amusing for them to say, "Rhonda, that has 'chile' in it, don't eat it-pica (it's spicy)!" They know me well...lol. But it was so much fun to relax with them.

For my final "little thing"- at, times I find it hard to simply rest in the Lord and wait in Him when I am faced with a lot of unknown and confusion. Yet on Sunday, a dear friend of my sent me a text telling me to read Psalm 94:17-19, 22- and these verses are all about the comfort of the Lord, even in times of confusion. And it just humbled me to think how faithful He is even when I am struggling-what love is that?? I'm going to end with just writing verses 19 and 22, " When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul...But the Lord has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge."

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

God Moments

God has totally wowed me this past week. And if you ask me what big thing He did-I couldn’t answer. It’s just the little blessings He’s done this week, when I wasn’t even looking for it-Honestly, God is just so awesome!!

Last Thursday, I went to this little convenient store across the street; the lady who owns it, Leite, is an older woman who is super sweet. For Christmas, I made her brownies and varies homemade cookies, and this past Thursday, I went in there to get something, and her daughter, I believe, asked me to come over on Friday and eat with them and asked me if I would teach her how to make brownies. I’m so excited because I’m not sure if they’re Christians or not, but I’ve been wanting to somehow reach out to people around me, but I wasn’t sure how because my Spanish isn’t the greatest, and it’s hard here to break past that. However, without even praying about it-which I should have-God provided this for me. So this Friday, I will be teaching her how to make brownies and get to know Leite and her family more=)

This past week at school, we had cultural week, where each day, Monday-Thursday we learned about a different culture. The kids loved it, and I love learning and researching different cultures, so it was a fun week. Then on Friday, the parents brought in food from the different countries. Usually, Mrs. Guzman brings in someone to do a special presentation for the parents and kids; however, this year, she couldn’t find someone. Therefore, the Kinder 1 teacher thought of this “great” idea that I should play the flute for them because one of the countries we studied about was Ireland. Needless to say, I was super nervous because at the wedding, I didn’t know anyone and at the quincenera , it was just people from the church, but this time it was my parents-in my mind a whole new level (I’m a wimp, I know), but I firmly believe that when God gives you an opportunity, in my case to play the flute, and someone asks you to use it for His glory, you should do it. Thanks be to God, I played well. That itself was a God-thing, but the other God moment, is that one of my students’ mom is learning to the play the flute. She came up to me afterward and asked me if I would allow her to come in the afternoon sometime and just play with me. I’m again really excited for this opportunity to get to know one of my parents more-such a blessing.

This past weekend proved to be another God-moment. I had to go to the border of Guatemala to get my VISA extended. So the Guzmans took me to a city that is about 30 min. from Guatemala. Dr. Guzman’s brother-in-law is friends with a man who used to work immigration, and I haven’t met either one of these men. Yet, they used their connections to not only stamp my passport without us actually having to go across the border, but they also got me 6 months here rather than the usual three, which works out perfectly-how awesome is God??? Also, the Guzman’s sister and brother-in-law and niece were so hospitable and nice; it was such a nice trip.

Lastly, the church gave me a box of staple items and two of my students from my Saturday English classes gave me some food. And I also started asking for prayer requests if any of my helpers have some, and I was able to pray for some of them, which was encouraging b/c sometimes, I feel like I can’t do that much because of the language barrier that I’m so nervous about, but as undeserving as I am, God still allowed me the privilege to pray for them! Then yesterday, I received a Christmas package from my mom, and the same day, I received a care-package from a dear friend, who is like my little sister=) Everyday there is always something to give thanks to God for…this past week though, He just awed me-it’s so humbling to receive blessings from the Lord-praise be to Him!!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

Taking Advantage of Every Moment

Well, here I am, a few weeks short of having been here for 6 months-where did the time go? Last week, my kids were a little rambunctious to say the least. By Friday afternoon, if I were honest, I was ready for another Christmas break;) However, it is at those moments when I feel spiritually attack, and lies come that say, “I’m the worst teacher.” “I don’t have strength to go one; I am at the end of ideas” that when I come on my knees in front of my amazing God, that He uses the Holy Spirit to convict and comfort me-what a mighty, loving God we serve! While I was praying and feeling sorry for myself, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I was there to reach each kid in their own way, and it’s not about me at all. I had to ask myself, “Rhonda, how can you individually show the Lord to each of your students-reaching to the different needs.” And it was such a good time to refocus and think about which kids just needs support and love that they may not feel all the time, who needs encouragement that they are smart and can do it, or who needs someone to just understand that they are naturally energetic, and it’s not a bad thing, you just have to control it. So, I am now trying to be more intentional with my 6 main kids. I want to reflect the love of God in my every action and word to each of my kids. I am enjoying them so much, and they are so eager to learn, which means I need to take advantage of every moment I’m given with them to reflect Christ in my life, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me and not try to do it on my own. So instead of looking at myself, may I look to the Author and Perfecter of my faith and allow Him to continue to transform me and give me wisdom as I minister to each of my kids.

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

Still Learning...

Well, I am back at school from a nice, long Christmas break. We are now starting our second week, actually. My kids are doing pretty well. They remembered a lot of English which makes me excited!! In fact, one of my boys asked me the other day, “Teacher, how do you say octopus in Spanish I forgot?” And one of my girls asked the music teacher in English, “May I go to the bathroom?” And I must confess, I was quite excited=)

I did have a nice Christmas vacation. I got rest and just relaxed, while learning all sorts of new traditions here for Christmas, which I’ve already talked about some and for New Years. I spent New Year’s Eve with the youth pastor, his wife, and family-it is a lot bigger deal here than the States. You spend it with your extended family and eat a big meal, just like Christmas. There were of course fireworks, and they told me that there is a tradition that you eat 12 grapes, which signifies kind of like 12 wishes you have for that year, one grape for each months. New Year’s Resolutions aren’t as big here as they are in the States. Oh, and there is another fun tradition here-if you want to go on a trip in the New Year, when it’s 12, you’re suppose to walk around the block with a suitcase, but I will confess, I didn’t see anyone doing that, but that’s what I was told. The last culture thing I’ve recently learned is instead of the ides of March, they have the ides of January….five months and some, and I’m still learning=)

I am now in charge of the nursery in the church…which for those who know me well will find that funny. And my welcome gift was a baby who threw-up all over me…and I was ready to resign…lol. Just kidding. Actually, what helps motivate me is my older sister who has a hard time always being stuck taking care of her kids and not being able to enjoy worshipping the Lord-and it’s true that even mom’s need a break and have community with other believers and spend just time praising God, so I will hang in there through the thick and thin;)

I’ve been learning so much already this year, which I just thank God for. My future as of right now is unknown to me, and I was spending a lot of time stressing and worrying over it-because I really want to do whatever the Lord wants me to do and to be used of Him to the upmost capacity, whether that’s staying here, returning to the US, or going somewhere else. But this year (yes, I know it has only been 17 days so far) I really wanted to spend more dedicated, disciplined time in prayer and to just spend time with Him. I’m reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, and in one of the chapters he talks about how we are so used to noise and activities in our lives, even now, writing this, I’m listening to music. And it is something I struggle with-just sitting under the Lord, as Romans talks about, and having quality time with Him through His Word and praying. But these past 17 days have been so awesome because I’m actually being disciplined and being intentional with my time with the Lord. And He’s been opening my eyes to so much and challenging me so much and filling me with peace, just like Philippians 4:6-7 promises He will. So my encouragement to all y’all, is each day, turn off the noise in your life, whatever form that is and get alone with God, really search His Word and spend time on your knees, seeking Him, imploring Him…and you won’t be disappointed!!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

The Reason

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." -Phil 2. 5-8.

This was my first Christmas away from my family, and I'm not going to lie, it was a hard month in December, until finally the Holy Spirit was like, "Rhonda, stop feeling sorry for yourself and remember why you even celebrate Christmas." That made me stop and think-sure, I love my family, love the traditions my family has, and I simply love everything about Christmas, but the reason I'm even in Mexico right now is because Jesus came to the earth 2010 years ago to save me. As Philippians 2 says, Jesus humbled Himself, gave up His home, His right-hand seat in Heaven to come to save sinners like me. Due to His grace, He is using me right now in Mexico, so how dare I complain, when it is because of the "first Christmas", I am here, serving my Savior. He is the reason I'm here at all-so praise be to Him!

I know I haven't updated in awhile-between my students' Christmas program, the church's Christmas program, passing out blankets, celebrating Christmas with people here, I have barely had a moment, though I've loved it all!

My kids did an amazing job at their Christmas program...they sang English really well=) The first day we went to pass out the blankets at the juvenile detention home, we were only allowed to pass out food because early in the day a fight broke out, so no one could leave their cells. It was still a good time, and we sang songs as some of the women passed out the food. The Christmas cantata went smoothly as well; I helped with the props, and thankfully nothing big was missing=)

I did get to see how Mexico celebrates Christmas!! They celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, eating around 10-10:30 at night, and I didn't get back to 2:30, though the missionaries did tell me that some people go until 5am. I got to taste their version of turkey, stuffing, punch, beef cooked in lime and not on the stove, and I got to through sparklers at 12am, another custom to welcome Christmas. It was fun to see how different but at the same time how similar it was to America. The missionaries and their family and friends accepted me to their Christmas celebration, that I am so thankful to God. Then on Christmas, the youth pastor's wife asked me to hang out with their family and extended family, and once again God proved how faithful He is in the little things. I did get to talk to my family, which was good, and then God allowed me to stay busy with other people, that Christmas was good even if I was away from my family. I had such a blessed and humbling Christmas-that once again made me remember to focus why I'm here on the earth-to glorify my Lord, who is so worthy! Thanks for all y'all's prayers and support! Have a wonderful day!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda