I have enjoyed writing to you the past couple weeks about how my teaching is going and how I am adjusting to life in Bolivia, but I wanted to take some time to tell you about what God has been teaching me throughout my time here.
1. Maybe God is Right After All- This is a name of a book that my mom gave me before I left for Bolivia. The idea that God is right is something that I have always known, but there are times in my life that I find what God thinks is right does not necessarily match up with what I think is right. One such experience happened right before I left for Bolivia. Our funding was coming in and we were preparing to leave for Bolivia when we heard that our departure would be delayed due to Visa issues. Of course that was not my plan, I wanted to be there for the start of school. However, God's plan was right. It was his plan that we would arrive in Bolivia late and that he would work all this together for his good. Having been in Bolivia for a month, I see that God was right. Everything has fallen into place and God has provided everything we have needed. He has provided a supportive staff to help us get acclimated to the school and to our jobs. He has provided great friends to help us learn our way around the city and to provide support during the hard times that have come.
I really like what the author of this book ( Cynthia Heald) writes when she is talking about why we can trust that God is right. She says " It is logical to believe that since everything in the heavens and earth belongs to God, then he knows what is right and true for us. He has every right to tell us how to live. Who better to know the paths we should take than the One who created us".
It has been a great encouragement to know that God is trustworthy and that his plans are right.
2. God is my refuge and my strength- " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" This has been a comforting verse for me over the past few weeks. I know for a fact that God has called me to serve him here in Bolivia, but that does not mean that it will always be easy. There have been times that I have felt homesick, questioned how I am going to make it through the next 8 months, not always gotten along with the people around me, but God has helped me through each of these feelings of doubt and fear. He has given me the strength to press ahead.
3. I want to impact others like Jesus did: I am a part of a Bible Study with other female teachers and we are going through a book entitled " Becoming a Woman of Influence" by Carol Kent. In our times together we talk about how we can be an influence on others and how we can use Jesus as an example. I have really enjoyed our times together so far. The idea of making an impact on others is nor foreign to me, but these conversations have made me start to think about how can I can make an impact on others here. I will have an impact on my students that I am teaching, but I would love to be able to make an impact on some girls while I am here also. I like what Carol Kent says about making an impact on others " Whether we act as lifetime mentors, friends, encouragers, or seasonal mentors, we can embrace and pass on the principles Jesus lived by". I hope to be able to befriend some girls here and pass on those principles.
I hope these learnings have encouraged you! Remember God is right, he is a source of strength and refuge and he is a great example to live by!
Adios!! - Rachel
