Acapulco

I give thanks to you ,O Lord my God , With my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever, For great is your steadfast love toward me! Psalm 85

Lord, have your way with my life no matter where you take me. Kill the flesh within me. May I only seek and serve you forever! Praise your name for you are ever faithful to me! I cried out to you when I was alone and afraid and you answered my prayers, when I turn my eyes and speak only of your splendor do I have peace. You protect me and give me discernment even when I am tempted to be fearful, when I am ever turning my head and uneasy. But I have hope and can rest in you Oh Lord!

I have been in Acapulco for only two days and yes, I’ve been a victim of culture shock (yes its “normal” but so difficult!) . I did not expect it, but when Ellen left me at Casa Hogar and there were lots of Spanish speaking children piled in one room (the main area where Loolve and I have our rooms) I was overwhelmed. I was exhausted from the day of traveling and driving around the congested Acapulco with Ellen and Mandy. 

There was a full moon Friday night and I do not think I will ever forget that full moon through the high windows in my room. I have never felt so alone and afraid. But, I listened to praise music and called out to the Lord and He answered meme and gave me peace. I had to explain my swollen eyes in the morning to Ellen.

Honestly, I’ve found that being flexible, having no real schedule (they do not believe in time like Americans do) listening most of the time, living on no sleep,constant noise (this city is huge and compact), and having no cell phone has shown how incredibly weak I am and dependent on God for strength. I thank Him for this! That I must have Him, need Him for all things.

I’m going running with Ellen at 6:30 tomorrow morning (its a holiday so I do not have to teach), today I found out that my new friend/ fellow teacher’s parrot “Sky” has a crush on me (he shows off his colorful feathers to me), and last night I had a sleepover. There were five girls sleeping in one room laughing and joking and I am learning Spanish so very fast! So exciting!! So, amid all of the inward fear and my apparent weakness, there has been laughter.

As I sit here I am thankful for God’s Words to me. For the Spirit, for worship. Worship is soothing and calming to me! Praise God! He is doing so much in my heart! If you are reading this and have been praying for me, God is answering your prayers! He is constantly in my heart and protecting me, challenging me, making me rely on Him and not any feeling, person, wishful dream-only the reality that God is present and leads me. I am confident that He has me here and I am living amid His will!

Also, I already met someone that will help teach me how to cook Mexican! And one of the older gals here at Casa Hogar wants me to work with her on her English on Saturdays. And little Beth (pictures to come in the next month) is so precious to me already! Wait until you see pictures! I am going to wait until after a couple of weeks to put them up, I want to have plenty. Well, Audios!