Tengo Esperanza

There are lots of changes that occur in a day especially down here. Your “plan” for the day, the weather at the drop of a hat, the electricity being on, the water working, a restaurant not having half the items on the menu, or people moving… tons of opportunities for a change of plans. Well Monday morning after devo, my plan was to continue with online Spanish lessons, catch up with Alberto to see what was on his plate for the week, and sort Bible class materials. With one short phone call, all of that changed…

Me, Helen (Dad's Mom) and Aunt Pat (Helen's sister)
on the best porch swing in the world!

"To live is Christ. To die is gain." Philippians 1:21 

Aunt Pat lived to serve her Savior, and today, heaven gained a beautiful angel. Please be praying for our family as we go through this week. We do not grieve without hope, for HE has RISEN, but we still grieve.

I found Sheila, oh what a dear friend she is so quickly becoming, told her what happened. She hugged me and spoke sweet truth. I told her I was going to make a couple phone calls then just sit and cry. Thankfully we had power and internet to call back to the states! The next hour was spent sitting on the floor, reading Philippians, listening to music, praying to our Father and letting the tears flow.

I thank my God every time I remember you. (1:3) To live is Christ. To die is gain. (1:21) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (1:27) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (2:3) Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (2:14-15) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh (3:3) I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (3:10) but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (3:12) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (3:20-21) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:4-7) 

And just like that there was a peace. Not a happy-go-lucky giddiness. Not a cover-up-my-turmoil smile. Not take-all-hurt-away feeling. But a peace that let me breath. A peace that let me genuinely smile. A peace that let me know I was fifteen hundred miles away ,and it was okay. What a mighty God we serve! He is SO good. He spoke it; Paul wrote it; and it was proven true. His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

The last two days have seemed like a week. Long days filled with different plans (most of which change quickly) and all emotions but thankfully the peace has stayed. Even through power outtages and dropped phone calls God has provided what I needed to keep going. That includes time for a long nap yestserday- He knows me well. He continues to provide me because He is faithful and consistent. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) 

Aunt Pat will be buried in Lynchburg this morning. While I would love to be there holding my family, I trust they are being comforted all over the states just as I am here in Jinotega. One of my favorite places in this city is the cemetery. It is colorful and alive and full of Jesus. It fills me with hope. It is a quite and peaceful place but not in a gloomy way. So I chose a grave site to be Aunt Pat’s in my cemetery. It’s kind of a strange thing to do, adopt someone else’ site, but I feel like anyone grieving understands when you need a place to retreat to…

I grew up listening to AVB and Acapella. Since last night, I’ve been singing this song, Tengo Esperanza, and actually meaning it. This group is a mix of men from both of those groups singing in Spanish… Love it! You can listen to the whole song HERE!

Tengo esperanza (I have hope)

Aquí en mi alma (Here in my soul)

Hoy tengo gozo (Today I have joy)

En mi corazón (In my heart) 

I’ll leave you with some more truth from our Father via Paul… all of Romans 8 speaks perfectly to my soul this week but these verses caught me yesterday.

 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17