Upcoming Challenges

There are somethings I don't typically share, because it is not as exciting to hear. But there are some very real things happening here that are taking up a lot of prayer time.

The house that we rent is going to be torn down in order to build a big apartment complex. (This sounds like a Brady Bunch episode). Our renters gave us a smoking deal on the rent, so now we are faced with the dilema that we have grown and now have to move to what is hopefully a bigger house. Bigger house means more rent. Ideally, we would like to buy a house, but since the move will probably happen within the next three months, we are looking to rent for now.

I wish you guys could appreciate the financial situation we are in. We eat rice, beans, plantains, and eggs, because it is the least expensive food there is. Rachel and I buy our own fruit because we would never see it otherwise. They are very good stewards of every peso spent. Conserving water, light, gas, you name it.

So the thought of having to pay about $500 more a month is concerning. If any of you would like to make a monthly commitment to help with the rent, please let me know.

My other challenge is something I like to call coming home for Christmas. I had some money saved and it was wiped out with my whole "dengue extravaganza" (ie surprise flight home, hospital bill, medication, etc). So if I would like to come home for Christmas (which I do), I am going to need extra help in order to save towards this goal. Again, if you are interested, please let me know :)

Blessings,

Desteni

It Was Worth It

Saturday night, twelve students graduated from our DTS. I do not normally get emotional at events like this. But this time was different. This whole graduation was different. I stood up to give the final reflection to the students and wept. Why? Because I could see the fruit of what God had done in their lives, through all of the difficulties and mistakes. These students are definitely not the same as when they came. It was a hard school, for the staff and students alike. But in the end, it was agreed that the theme of this graduation was "It was worth it."

One of the girls that almost got sent home sang a song at the ceremony called (translated) "Look at what God has done in me" and I don't think there was a single dry eye. She couldn't sing in parts because she was crying, too. Ugg. I cry just remembering it. God really did miraculous things in the lives of the students and my prayer for them is that they would continue to walk in it. That they would remember who they are. That they would remember what God has done.

WHAT NOW?

Our next set of schools start in two weeks. Next week we will be told what our functions will be. I am hoping to work with the Intro to Biblical Counseling, but I may be needed in the DTS again. Many of our staff are taking the semester to study at other YWAM bases, or are going to be on sabatical. Lots of transition. It should be challenging. We are also going to have many different nations represented, which should be a blessing and again, a challenge.

HEALTH UPDATE

Many of you have been concerned for my health. I am now healed from dengue and functioning at 100%. Thank you for your prayers.

*To see more pictures from outreach, please click on my picture link.