Running the Race

This morning, our kids had a unique opportunity to run in a citywide race in Guarapuava. Edit, one of the other missionaries, ran in the 10km, Maria Joana ran in the 2km (with the 12-15 year olds), and Franciele, Josiane, and Lucas ran in the 1km (with the 10-12 year olds). We were so proud of them! Edit was first in her age bracket and will run again in Curitiba in December. Franciele took second in her race. All of them received a medal for their efforts. Even though we stood in 35 degree weather with a killer wind for three hours, it warmed our hearts to see them proudly cross the finish line!:) If you double click on the picture above, you will find three of them in the front towards the left (#152, 119, and 117). There are also pictures of each of them on our flickr account.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." Hebrews. 12:1

A Special Birthday

Last week, was my birthday...our car broke down about 3 miles from home, our water was shut off, a lightning storm knocked out our internet, a pipe behind the washing machine burst, and our ATM card wouldn't work...and it was still the best week since we arrived!

How could this be, you ask?! On Friday, Maria Joana and Josiane came in to spend the day with us. We baked cookies, went for a walk, and did an aerobics class together. Then, we returned to CLM to celebrate my birthday. All the children were anxiously waiting by the front door when we arrived. They ran out with hugs, kisses, and shouts to close my eyes so they could lead me in to show me their surprises. I was pulled into the dining room by about a dozen children who told me I could open my eyes. The walls were decorated with posters, streamers, and special birthday messages. They had been working all week in the art room to surprise me! They had a huge cake with my name spelled with "m&m's" and a pile of notes and hand-wrapped gifts next to the table. I quickly realized that many of them had taken their own "treasures" from their room to wrap for me! Others had made handwoven potholders, art projects, and paintings--I wish you could have seen their eyes sparkle with pride as I thanked them and told them how much I loved each one! Afterwards, Mary asked who would like to pray for me and I think every one of them raised their hand! Listening to their heartfelt prayers moved me to tears. It was a special evening that I will never forget.

Yes...our car has been fixed, the water is back on, the internet is working again, Mike was able to fix the pipe, and we can get money with our ATM card again...but the precious time I spent with the children brought far more peace and joy than all the other things combined. Once again, God confirmed in me the significance of the eternal over the temporal.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. We miss you!

Overcoming Pride with Portuguese

"If we don't presently have an issue that is actively humbling us, we veer with disturbing velocity toward arrogance and self-righteousness." Beth Moore reminded me again that pride is not the opposite of low self-esteem but of humility. We can be absorbed in how wonderful we are or how miserable we are...and still struggle with the sin of pride.

Such a serious issue deserves some light-hearted examples of how we have been humbled learning Portuguese, right?! When we first arrived, I had asked, "Onde esta a minha esposa?" ("Where is my WIFE?") and Mike had raised his index finger in the air and said, "Primaveira, eu preciso a minha mala." He meant to say, "First, "(primeiro) but instead said, ("Spring, I need my bag.") Needless to say, we didn't impress too many people with our language skills in Sao Paulo airport! :)

During our first weeks at the orphanage, Mike asked one of the kids, "Como se diz essa?" ("How do you say this?") and pointed at his smile. The child answered, "Barba." For the next three days, Mike asked the children to "Mostra-me sua barba!" ("Show me your smile!") and "Voce tem bonita barba!" ("You have a beautiful smile!") Then, he was told that "barba" meant "beard!" No wonder the kids had such big smiles! I, on the other hand, continue to have a problem differentiating between the words that mean "coconut" and "poop." Needless to say, I've passed on ordering coconut pie when we go out to eat! HA

Unfortunately, most of our other mistakes involve words that would not be appropriate to write--how many curse words do they have in Portuguese anyway?! We have probably embarrassed ourselves in some way or another every day since we've arrived. Although it has been frustrating, it has allowed for quite a few laughs (for us and everyone else) and has made us more dependent on God for this overwhelming task before us.

"What blessed relief comes when we finally fall on our knees and humble ourselves before God. We suddenly realize what a heavy weight pride has been. It is exhausting to insist on thinking so highly of oneself with such mounting evidence to the contrary!" Lord, I desire to humble myself before You and trust that You will lift me up. (James 4:10)

Obedience vs. Sacrifice

I am reading a book by Beth Moore called Praying God's Word. I found it on a bookshelf at CLM and thought it would be a great resource for praying over the children. The author addresses specific strongholds and defines them as “anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger or more powerful than our God.” They steal our focus and cause us to feel overpowered. A stronghold can be an addiction, unforgiveness, despair over a loss—anything that consumes our emotional and mental energy and strangles the abundant life that God has for us as believers.

The enemy can influence our behavior by influencing our thinking...something that he does quite well in my life, unfortunately. It is so easy for me to become discouraged because I'm constantly trying to please others, and obviously never able to complete the task! Here I'm faced each day with the overwhelming mission to learn a different language (well enough to be able to teach and minister), make new friendships here while maintaining relationships back in the States, adjust to a new culture without the comforts and familiarity of “home,” and somehow have the time and energy left over to be a parent and friend to the 40 children and 14 missionaries at CLM!

I hadn't thought of this as a “stronghold” in my life before, but I'm beginning to see it as a recurring theme that God wants me to give to Him once and for all. I have to realize that it is impossible to please everyone but I can please Him...just by being the person He created me to be! No more, no less. I think as I begin to move out in this freedom, only then can I truly model God's grace and forgiveness to the children He has called me to love.

Stay tuned for the next section....on pride! AAAH! Thanks for your prayers!