Monday, August 31, 2015

Lead Me On...

"I can't see what's in front of me. Still I will trust You..."

I have been in Brazil for almost a month now and it has been quite the journey of learning and growing. God has provided many to help me and assist me in adjusting to a different culture and to teaching a classroom. There are still times, though it has been many months behind and thousands of miles away, that I do hurt or yearn for the past. However, I know that this place, Brazil, is a place of freedom, a place of hope, and a place of healing.

I did not come here for that purpose, but God has made it so in His Mercy and Sovereignty.

 I still always have the question of "What are You doing?" It has been a blessing, but I just don't see why??? Of course, He has His reason and I am to do my job knowing that I may never know the answer. Honestly, I must admit that it takes on the appearance of extremely 'random'. I must remember that this is God's story, not mine. He is faithful.
I have greatly enjoyed the smiles, hugs, eyes of wonder, giggles, 'whys?', and incessant "Ms. Boger, Ms. Boger!!!!" I truly love each soul that enters the classroom.
May God give me continual patience for extra energetic children with constant poking, wriggly, squirming, running noses and 'potty' breaks.
What a privilege it is to work with these little guys!

May I love all those around me and remember Jim Elliot's famous saying " Where you are, be all there". Living in this land has been both a blessing and a humbling experience. I hope to fully serve Him here and let go of selfish ambitions and proud inclinations. It is a constant wrestling match.

He has revealed my restlessness and my inability to be satisfied in Him alone and the places/circumstances He has put me in. I could be given the moon and it would not fill the hole in my heart shaped in a way that only God can fill.
Although I do not know my future, I hold the promise in Psalms 62:5, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him".

May He be glorified this week. Please continue to pray for me and that I may be completely squeezed dry from service to Him. May I be exhausted from the race I run because I am running so hard and fast for Him and giving my very best all the way to the finish line....wherever that may be.
Below is a link to a song that was shared at my Pre-field orientation and has been an encouragement to me. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfh_x5rFuWc



Friday, August 7, 2015

The Wait is Over

    I am happy to announce that the visa came through yesterday, a ticket was bought and I am now sitting in my new apartment in Brasilia, Brazil. The waiting is finally over. After months of blood, sweat and tears, God has given me a chance to serve Him in South America. I would love to say that I waited well and was the perfect image of how a Christian should properly deal with waiting and unpredictable events. To my shame, I was quite the opposite which may be one of the reasons why it took me longer to get to Brazil. The constant statement running through my mind was "I just don't understand!" I have a tendency to want things done right away and I will literally stop at nothing until it is accomplished or until it is utterly impossible. People would call this determination, God would call it something else.
    The point is, is that I do not have to know. I have this drive to want to be better and to fix things, but sometimes I just have to wait and trust.  For some reason, I think I can do it better and faster. There is goal or task at hand and I must finish it. This, of course, is untrue. I believe God was again reminding of His sovereignty and His plan.
   His way is a mystery and I must remember the simplicity and beauty behind the child-like faith.
 I thank Him for getting me this far and I have no idea what the rest of this year will hold, BUT THAT IS OKAY! Again Thank-you dear friends and family who pray for me. I will need it.
                          
                      May He be glorified through my time here in Brasilia.

 I will have pictures soon!