I’m sitting outside the office on a sunny Saturday
morning. The sun on my legs is already
hot but the air is crisp. It’s 6:45 and
I am waiting for the bus to go to Tegucigalpa to pick up a team. I’ve done this a lot as team coordinator- the
going and getting teams. And everytime
it’s something a little new. The sights
on the side of the road, always some sort of drama at the airport, the
adventure with the team buying snacks at the Texaco on the way back to
Emmanuel. Like everyday here, this day
is open for something new and unexpected.
It seems like the past two weeks have been like this. As always, new things come up and sometimes
with new things, new responsibilities.
I’m pretty sure I haven’t posted it here and I don’t know
that I’ve even sent it in an email to my supporters…but I wanted to make a few
things official.
1. I am not on a mission trip. This is my life. I have no plans in the future to leave
Emmanuel other than vacation type trips away.
I had a lady ask me “How was your mission trip?” when I was home in
September. My simple reply- it was
good. I’m going back. I don’t know how to explain to people that
for now this just feels like home. Just
right.
2. One of my jobs at
Emmanuel is to supervise the big girls yard (11-25ish year old girls). There are currently 90 of them. On a typical day we have 75-80 with us. The others are in kitchens or helping in
other places at Emmanuel. Never a dull
day in the big girls yard. I love em but
some days I wanna hurt em. You parents
know what I mean if you have a teenager.
3. My other job is Team and Volunteer Coordinator. I have been coordinating teams since late
June. This means I communicate with them
before and during their trip. I also
pick them up in Tegucigalpa at the airport. Then touch base with them everyday to
rearrange schedule or other things as needed.
Recently I was given the job of volunteer coordinator. This job is tricky because technically I am a
volunteer myself. I also live with them
in the house and am charge of the volunteer house. So it’s hard to come home at the end of a 12
hr day with work stuff coming at me sometimes.
And having to deal with issues that come up in our house separate from
the day to day overseeing them in their roles at Emmanuel. I think the biggest challenge is we have 22
volunteers counting myself and more than half are Danish. And a few don’t feel
very confident in their English.
I also review applications and email persons interested in
serving at Emmanuel. I assign their jobs
and rearrange as needed.
So that is in a nutshell what I do. It’s a lot of work with people and a good bit
of work with paper and coordination. I
like people. I like paper. Too much of one or the other is overwhelming
for me long term. So the Lord knows what
He is doing. (of COURSE He does!) I’m glad He knows because a lot of days I
sure don’t feel like I know!
I wanted to share good news that one of my girls who left in
September came back! But then Tuesday she ran away. Unfortunately the reality of some of the kids
here at Emmanuel is that they will run away.
We look for them, notify the police, etc. But some we don’t see again. Some come back. Some don’t.
For each of them my heart hurts.
I cannot imagine walking outside these fences as a teenager and what may
happen next. Please pray for my girls
here. That the draw of “outside” won’t
be larger than the truth of God inside.
And for the girls who have left here. For their protection and the Lord
to continue to speak to them louder than the lies of the world.
The past two weeks have been full of normal stuff-
challenges and joys. Frustrations and
laughter. The Lord continues to teach me
more about myself and Him. The Holy
Spirit in His creativity has used my friends, His word, and words of several
authors to strike truth into my heart.
Lessons like love and trust that you think I would understand after
walking with him for 29 years. I feel like such a child some days, but I guess
that’s good since Christ said we need to come as children. Got that part down some days.
I’ve been struggling with being sick for almost 2 weeks
now. I won’t go into the details but for
those of you who are long time readers you know I DON’T like to deal with
medical stuff. The Lord knows I cannot
handle going to the MD in a third world country. So he sent a doctor on the team here this
week. I don’t have another team until
the end of November. I should be getting
some drugs later today. Hopefully it will fix me and not create any new
issues. I appreciate prayers on
this. I pray the Lord would show me why
I am sick- if it’s because I need a break, because Satan doesn’t like what is
going on here and is fighting, if it’s just something I need drugs for, if I
need to eat more beef, or less beans.
Haha
I am planning to post a blog with photos next time. Not so many words. There are some good things going on
here. I want you to SEE some of
them.
Grateful for each of you.
For your prayers and your partnership.
For your emails, texts, comments.
In general the love and friendship you show me and my kids.
Blessed. So blessed.
Be His-
andi
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