(Originally posted October 11, 2018)
So, I know that I've not been the world's best missionary when it comes to keeping people updated about all that has been going on here on the field. The truth is, sometimes it is hard to sit down and organize thoughts to write beautiful blog posts at 10pm, 11pm, or 12:30am when I'm able to stop running and take a breath. I can plan to get up at 5am or 6am to write and to organize blog posts about all the incredible things that are happening here (by the grace of God) but it never fails - something always happens that keeps me from being able to sit with my computer long enough to craft the update. I guess you can call it "real life." I apologize to you for the lack of updates, but I want you to know it is because life has been more than full of challenges, struggles, joys, tears, and more for the past several months, and those moments have all been time-consuming and have kept me from getting to the computer.
I have had some unique challenges in recent months. Most of you have heard it say, "When it rains, it pours." Well, let's just say it's been pouring here. But there is also a saying that says, "No rain, no flowers." And there is always a rainbow that somehow appears at just the right moments to remind that God is ever-faithful and that He always provides every single need. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He is walking with us and never forsakes us. He never fails.
Let me sum up some months for you guys - I'll try not to write a book.
- Super busy summer. Music camp team, church evangelical team, medical team, (all translating).
- Helping in some way (many, many hours) with 6 people from the church in Maizal that have had emergency surgeries in the less than 2 months. Overnights in clinics, emergency hospital runs, hours of staying awake in the nights to make sure that IV's are constantly dripping, cleaning and dressing wounds, spoon feeding patients, etc. (The most intense has been the 24/7 care of Marleny and her three kids and house for the last three weeks. We are starting to come out of the most intense part, {Praise the Lord!} but her recovery will last several more months.)
- Personal sickness. I have a parasite that tends to flare up rather dramatically - forceful enough to have hospitalized me, and on other occasions, has sent me to the ER for fluids and pain meds.
- Distributing food in a conference of 300ish women for a weekend of God-filled goodness in Santiago.
- All of these things in the midst of normal worship services and ministry opportunities. (There are only two days a week the church doesn't normally gather. In addition to that, I've been invited to teach several times in the church in Maizal and in churches in other cities.)
"Megan, you're crazy." I know. (I've never been normal, ha!) But when you are notified of an emergency situation and no one is there to help in one way or another, you have to be the hands and feet of Christ. I usually try not to over-fill my ministry plate, but in the last few months it has been one emergency situation after another - and what do you do? You tell the Lord, "I'll go, but I need You to give me new strength to press on." And He does it. One moment at a time, He gives what you need to honor and glorify Him - in the sweet times and in the times where you don't know where the next ounce of physical strength will come from.
There is something we say to one another to keep us pressing on. "Hey, Ana, we are going to see the glory of God today." "Hey, Megan, we are seeing the glory of God."
Hey, supporter, friend, family member, follower, brother, sister - We are seeing the glory of God. He is working even when we can't see it. He is moving even when He isn't speaking. Press on - and we are going to continue seeing the glory of God.
