Grandes Cosas

I am fully content tonight as Joni and I laugh our way through our pictures from the past month. We’ve had a very busy weekend as things are picking up for “Resplandecer” – our girls’ study on the book of Esther – commences. We had a marvelous time with a few of the girls during another trip to the park (which occur quite often. ) They took us there on their Motos, which is a great way to obtain the wind-blown look. Later that night, we stayed at the church until the wee hours of the morning talking, laughing and dancing with the youth – who says missions can’t be fun? 

After several church services on Sunday, we spent the early part of today preparing for the first Resplandecer event, as well as serving lunch to several children at the church. After shopping for supplies and making a banner for the living room (thus successfully glitter-fying everything within reach), 35 teenage girls filled the front rooms of the house and the back patio. It was such a beautiful sight!

The theme verse for the next two weeks is Isaiah 60:1, which says in English, “Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” This is especially significant because in the original language, the name Esther literally means, “star.” Our vision is for the girls with an existing relationship with Christ to recognize and take their places of leadership and giftedness in expanded circles of influence, and for the others to come to a knowledge of their purpose and beauty found only in Christ, thus leading them to a relationship with Him. We were very pleased with the attendance and had a wonderful afternoon painting fingernails and taking pictures with the girls in the backyard. Joni and I even jumped in on a human pyramid!

Tonight, Sofia (who, by the way, asked for a Bible today!) invited Joni and me to her Tango class. She is an extremely talented dancer, and we were thrilled to experience Tango in the very heart of its homeland. Much to our surprise, (and despite of my many cries of ‘Ahh, tengo miedo!’ meaning, ‘ Ahh, I’m afraid to!’) we got to dance as well! We got to learn two basic tangos and had a fantastic time. One of the other dancers dubbed me, “Barbie,” because of my accent and my blonde hair. I am still trying to decide whether it was a compliment or not.

Tomorrow, it’s lunch with the children and more Resplandecer. I wish I could express how incredibly excited I am about the next month, especially the next two weeks. Undoubtedly, we have been brought here for such a time as this, and He is already fulfilling – even exceeding – the many promises He has made to Uruguay!

“Now then, stand still and see the great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! Is it not the wheat harvest now?”-1 Samuel 12:16

Yes, we have come here with seeds of faith, and we shall return with sheaves of the harvest …