Praying to be stronger.

This is probably the 3rd time I've sat down to write another post, but I have been unable to complete my thoughts or hesitant to be honest with the mix of emotions I have experienced this last week. However, I am now very excited to share with you what God has been doing both at MCS and in my personal walk with Him over the past six days. 


The days leading up to leaving the States, my family, many friends, my home, etc. I was excited that I still had another year to serve in Peru, yet I was not anxious to leave the familiar comforts of "home". I was leaving to come back to Peru, to teach, to share my love for Christ with students at school and church, and to minister in a variety of other facets, while soaking up the culture, the language, and the yes a little Peruvian sunshine too! 


The first day here, from the moment I wake-up I am reminded that I am not at in Des Moines anymore, and also reminded of the every growing task set before me. If you were at ECC last Sunday, I shared that in addition to teaching 5th grade, I might also be teaching 8th grade English. Well, this had become a reality, and not only that, but I am to teach 5th grade PE as well. 


As these thoughts mount in my mind, I decide to do my devotions. I need prayer and help from God. I brought with me an old devotional that I had partially done 6 years ago, Experiencing God by Richard Blackaby & Henry Blackaby.


The last 6 days, God had been at work in my heart! He has reminded me of who He is: an all powerful, who loves me and is inviting me to join Him in His work! He speaks to me through His Holy Spirit by His word, circumstance, and prayer! Here are some of the ideas or verses that God is using to transform my attitude and perspective to be in line with His plan:

• He will equip me for every good work.     2 Timothy 3:16-17
• If I call out to God, He will answer and guide me.     Jeremiah 33:3, Luke 11:9-10
• The most beneficial thing I can do is have a personal relationship with God, and the rest will fall into place.     Matthew 6 especially vs. 33
• "Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of you work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle." Phillips Brooks, Twenty Sermons, 330

Granted my teaching load, may not be a giant task compared to what others around the world are facing, God is giving me a new perspective. I have changed my prayer somewhat. I was praying for more teachers to come to our school, so I wouldn't have to teach 5th grade & 8th grade English. While I am still praying for teachers to come to our school, I am also praying for these things:

• Strength & wisdom to teach 5th grade & 8th grade English. 
• The opportunity to learn from these circumstances and see God work in God-sized ways!
• Our school, MCS, to continue to grow in God's direction
• More teachers to come as our school continues to grow