Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (Day 6)

Today has been another fantastic day in Nicaragua!  I know I should use some other adjectives, but this one seems to be the one that fits the best each evening as I sit down to type.  Today was our last day of classes with the students at VEA.  We hope to see most of them again on Saturday, for our field trips to Granada and Managua.  Please pray for good weather here on Saturday so that we can do everything we have planned with all of the students.  It is currently the rainy season here, but thankfully, the weather hasn't slowed us down much at all so far.  One of the students asked what would happen if it rained on Saturday.  Dave responded, "we will get wet".  Everyone laughed and seemed appreciative of the answer.

Blanca is still down today, so please continue praying for a speedy recovery for her and a hedge of protection around the rest of us, as we still have five more days here.

Most of the classes ran as usual except for the last class of the day with the older students.  They will be the leaders of the groups for our activity on Saturday, so we spent some time preparing them for this role.  I'll report more on this after we have the field trip.  At one point in class today, we were working on short vowel sounds.  I had dictated a list of words for the students to write and then we went over the words to check their listening and spelling, and they repeated the word.  One of the words was "fan".  I thought I said "fan" and then they repeated it, saying, "faaan".  I couldn't help laughing and Dave stepped in to explain the different accents we have here in the USA and that they were learning to speak Southern English.  I don't remember that happening when I have taught ESL classes previously and I had to really make an effort to watch my accent that I wasn't aware I had until they were repeating after me.  It was really funny though, to hear the whole group, in a Spanish accent, drawing out their English vowel sounds.  I think we got it sorted out right away though, so hopefully I didn't mess them up too much.

Classes went a little over again today since the older students are a little nervous about taking leadership roles on Saturday.  [See a few more pictures of us working with the students.]

After a quick bite to eat, we headed to Iglesia Verbo Veracruz to join a small group of members in a prayer meeting.  There is a lot going on here related to why we couldn't stay at the orphanage on this trip that I will report once we get home.  But meanwhile, please pray for Verbo Christian Ministries.  I am praying that they would remain strong and bold in their faith, that they would reflect His peace and hope to a country that is in desperate need of His healing and presence.  I am thanking God that He has a plan and He is a God who provides for us.  He can move mountains and is able to accomplish far more than we can even imagine.  I am thanking Him for the abundant blessings He has poured out on this ministry over the years and for the lives that have been positively impacted as a result (including mine).  I am praying wisdom and discernment for the Verbo Board members in decisions that have to be made and for the negotiations they are in the midst of.  I'm praying especially that God will guard and protect the children impacted; that He will shower them with His great love and mercy and strength.  And I rest in Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  I know that the battle belongs to the Lord and I am thankful that He is a steadfast and true God that is with us always.

We were all really tired after spending a long day with the students, but I am so thankful that we were invited and went to the prayer meeting, because the time we spent praising the Lord and sending our requests up to Him was so uplifting and provided nourishment for our souls.  [See attached video snippet of a song you might recognize during our time.]

¡Muchas gracias por tus oraciones!  (Thank you for your prayers!)

In Christ,

Katy, for the team