I had coffee with a missionary friend of mine today who works with YWAM here in Santa Cruz. They have a home similar to ours (they had the idea about the same time I did) so it's nice to get together to compare notes and talk about what's working and what's not.
It's interesting...we started off with very similar ideas and goals, and yet our two homes have gone in somewhat different directions. Theirs has become a little more institutional, while ours has developed a fairly strong family feel to it. That's not to say that their home isn't working or that ours is functioning better...both have had their good moments and bad. It's just interesting to me.
I think one of the factors in how our home feels is that we do a lot of things together. We go to church together...we eat together...we play soccer together (well...the guys play soccer together...). Even though we're nearly twice the size of the YWAM home, we've built a good atmosphere here. Most days anyhow...
I think another contributing factor is that their home is run more by committee (there's a team of them)...which can make it difficult sometimes. At our place it's just Maribel and I. I tried to explain to my friend what it was that we were doing that helped build the family atmosphere, but it was difficult to put into words exactly. I have my list of things I want to accomplish here, but most days we seem to be flying by the seat of our pants, so to say. But...it's working. Most days anyhow...
One encouraging thing is that we're becoming more proactive and not just responding to problems or putting out fires. We're meeting with each of the guys individually every week to see how they're doing and to study God's Word together. I'm not patting myself on the back, just so you know. That's all Tonchi and Jorge (our pastors)...they're the ones making that happen. We still have our problems (trust me)...but it's getting better and better. I can definitely see God at work and the guys are changing and growing.
Are there things that annoy the daylights out of me and make me want to smack somebody upside the head? Just about every day... =) But overall things are going well.
Tonight was one of those nights were there were a few crisises but at the same time God was moving and using the situations to bring growth and a deeper understanding of our relationship with Him. The whole Romans 8:28 thing...using all things for our good. I met with one of the guys tonight, who's been struggling in his faith and who has had more than a few doubts lately. We talked for close to three hours. He asked all kinds of questions (some that really challenged both my Spanish and and my theology). It was a great conversation. I think he (and I) walked away encouraged.
I think I'm rambling a little, so I'll wrap this up. I just wanted to let you know how things were going and to say thanks, once again, for your prayers. It makes a huge difference for us. God responds when His people pray.
It's interesting...we started off with very similar ideas and goals, and yet our two homes have gone in somewhat different directions. Theirs has become a little more institutional, while ours has developed a fairly strong family feel to it. That's not to say that their home isn't working or that ours is functioning better...both have had their good moments and bad. It's just interesting to me.
I think one of the factors in how our home feels is that we do a lot of things together. We go to church together...we eat together...we play soccer together (well...the guys play soccer together...). Even though we're nearly twice the size of the YWAM home, we've built a good atmosphere here. Most days anyhow...
I think another contributing factor is that their home is run more by committee (there's a team of them)...which can make it difficult sometimes. At our place it's just Maribel and I. I tried to explain to my friend what it was that we were doing that helped build the family atmosphere, but it was difficult to put into words exactly. I have my list of things I want to accomplish here, but most days we seem to be flying by the seat of our pants, so to say. But...it's working. Most days anyhow...
One encouraging thing is that we're becoming more proactive and not just responding to problems or putting out fires. We're meeting with each of the guys individually every week to see how they're doing and to study God's Word together. I'm not patting myself on the back, just so you know. That's all Tonchi and Jorge (our pastors)...they're the ones making that happen. We still have our problems (trust me)...but it's getting better and better. I can definitely see God at work and the guys are changing and growing.
Are there things that annoy the daylights out of me and make me want to smack somebody upside the head? Just about every day... =) But overall things are going well.
Tonight was one of those nights were there were a few crisises but at the same time God was moving and using the situations to bring growth and a deeper understanding of our relationship with Him. The whole Romans 8:28 thing...using all things for our good. I met with one of the guys tonight, who's been struggling in his faith and who has had more than a few doubts lately. We talked for close to three hours. He asked all kinds of questions (some that really challenged both my Spanish and and my theology). It was a great conversation. I think he (and I) walked away encouraged.
I think I'm rambling a little, so I'll wrap this up. I just wanted to let you know how things were going and to say thanks, once again, for your prayers. It makes a huge difference for us. God responds when His people pray.
1 comments:
Good to know that in my absence someone is challenging your theology for three hours at a time! God is good!
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