First off I want to share a few pictures from a Christmas celebration that Cristian and I supported in December. With the help of the children's ministry team who performed a special Christmas show, and some of our friends who donated boxes of little panetones and other treats some 500 kids, from some of the communities in Lima where FH works, enjoyed a very fun Christmas celebration.
It was a joy to be a part of a joint ministry event (with both Cristian and my church and FH), and I hope that we can continue to find ways for our friends from church here in Lima can participate with the ministry of FH.
This year Cristian and I spent Christmas and New Year here in Peru, celebrating with his family, and also enjoying a visit from my parents. As our calender turned from December to January, we also stepped back into normal routines. However, this January life brought some changes to our "normal" routines. In January, the FH office moved to a new location, to a house/office with more space (something that was quite lacking in the last office).
I have also been busy helping with changes underway in FH ministry as we begin to implement the new violence prevention project . Lately I have been working on the new monitoring plan and helping with both areas of finance and teams ministry until the two new staff for these positions are hired and trained.
Cristian and I also have made a change in our routine as we have committed to help lead a small group for young adult in our church. We are excited about this new opportunity to help young adults grow in their faith and understanding of God's purpose for their life, and we hope that we will be able to invite some of our non-church friends to the group.
So with all these changes (and the many that have proceeded them in the last six months), I have been feeling a bit uncertain about things. Even when changes are positve they often can cause us to doubt what we are doing and why. I know that it may be a surpirse to many (since I have changed my studies, careers, moved several times in my life, left my home country to serve in ministries overseas), but the truth is that change is really hard for me.
Trust is also something I struggle with, and it is specifically that part of my faith that is challenged when I am faced with changes; my feeble trust in Him is shaken. I think that is because when change happens that means our plans will have to change, that perhaps the plan for our future is not what we though it was going to be.
But something Cristian is always reminding me of is that everything that happens God allows for a reason, and that instead of fretting I should be asking what is it that God wants to show me. Instead of struggling I should ask: how can I let Him use this situation to teach and transform me?
This is what I think God wants me to learn: in the midst of my uncertainty about the future God's truth remains. God says: I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). And God's word assures me that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
What amazing words of promise, hope and encouragement for a new year. Maybe this season of changes is hard, but my prayer is in this time is for God to show his faithfulness and use this time of uncertainty to teach me to trust Him more.
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