Well, I have been back in El Salvador one full week and it is good to be home. Yep, I said ithome. Portland will always be home to me, but I can definitely say that last week I was ready to get back to the life God is creating for me in El Salvador. And since my first day back, I have felt more and more at home in this new life. Thank you for all of your prayers—I know this peace is a result of your faithfulness to keeping me in your prayers. What a blessing you all are to me!
This week has primarily been all about settling into my new home. I got the keys last Thursday! It’s a very small townhouse with no appliances or furniture. I sent a few days unpacking and by the grace of God, I actually did a pretty good job packing what I could bring with me via a plane, so I didn’t have to start from scratch. I forgot some of what I packed and when I saw that a can opener was $12 here, I was very relieved to find my bag of kitchen ware!
Although there is much that would not fit on a plane! So I have been dragging every one I know here out on shopping adventures looking for the very best deals, determining what is a must have & what can wait and trying to get everything set up, so I can cook, eat & sleep. And God has provided in every way—even in ways that I couldn’t imagine. On top of lots of good deals on appliances and furnishings (and free couches, house goods and other items from generous friends here) the place is already starting to look like a home and I was even able to make myself coffee and breakfast this morning and do a load of laundry today!
But so much more then the carting of housewares from stores to my house, has been the rich time spent with friends. Since I don’t have a car yet (coming soon…), I have had to rely on friends to drive me around. And while I hate inconveniencing already busy folks, it has been such a blessing to hang out with Jenny, Dave, Dara & Michelle as we drive about. I even got to practice some Spanish as my friend from ENLACE, Alejandro, not only drove me all around in his flat bed truck, but also helped negotiate better deals, practiced Spanish with me, helped me load everything out of the truck into the house and even hooked up the washer for me. And no I will not be dating Alejandro, he is married with kids—I know how you people think!
It has been enlightening to see how my need to rely on others has created so many opportunities to encourage and be encouraged. It’s been so great! So often we are God’s voice to one another and yet in our self-sufficient culture I wonder how many opportunities we miss in the name of convenience. So let me encourage you this week, call a friend and share some time together. Run an errand together. Just go on a drive together. Or better yet, go to Stumptown with a friend and drink a latte for me while you talk about what God is doing in your life—or what you wish God was doing in your life—or who is God anyway and can you believe in Him? I bet you will be surprised how an hour shared discussing the big things of life can actually make them seem a bit smaller and more manageable. And when you are done talking, take 5 minutes and pray together. Ask the God of creation to respond to your questions, concerns and cares, express your love for your friends and enjoy the time you have together. I know it seems kind of basic and maybe a bit weird to those of you that don’t believe in God—but just try it. I know that it will impact you as it has me this week. And when it does, email me and tell me all about it.
And remember that just as Paul says repeatedly in his letters, I pray for you all continually. I guess it’s my little way of being with you—to talk to God about you. And as He continues to build a whole beautiful community for me and provide for my every need in here in El Salvador, I know He is doing the same for you.
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