Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Stearns Update....Can it REALLY be March 2014??????

I could very easily be the worst, yes, the worst blogger EVER!  Every day so much happens..every day here that by the time....well, those are just excuses..so I will try to do better again:-)  I am so much better on Facebook....quick easy and in spurts...Also means, I don't have to process much...

We are almost a fourth of the way through our second year following God's adventure in Nicaragua.  Our cups are overflowing...our hearts are full.   This doesn't mean that there haven't been some trials, bumps, hiccups, "opportunities" for growth, or whatever you prefer to call them but through it all it comes down to..... We get to spend everyday here where God has called being obedient and that, my friends, is priceless. 

I've learned  alot about myself this year...alot about God...and alot about living in a different culture....and when I reflect on what all I have learned, I realize that I really have alot to learn.  I've learned that God is ever so faithful...but in order to be able to experience His faithfulness, I have to wait expectantly for His provision...preferably in a patient manner.  I've learned that what He provides really is the best and is worth waiting for...even if that means waiting past the point that I feel I can wait.  I have found through those moments of waiting on the other side..I see His mighty Hand. 

The past year, God opened doors into the women's ministry  at Project H.O.P.E. that He would have me follow.  He showed me through the opportunities that He granted and through my own desires to seek out women that the least sought after by the world.  The ones that the world might deem worthless... Seek those.  So, I found myself in outreaches for prostitutes and their daughters, in brothels in the Oriental Market, in the city dump community, in the poorest of hospitals and, beginning this year, in the prison system.  Seeking those who needed to be reminded who they are..... Children of God...for we were all created by Him, yes?  This year, I will continue serving as He directs. 

While doing my own ministry, I have had the priviledge to serve with my daughter, Taellor...to see her simply flourish.  She started a children's Bible study in the city dump while we have our women's Bible study and another at the outreach for the prostitues.  She continues to serve at the Special Needs Orphange and along side teams with Project H.O.P.E.  And while all of this is incredible, the most incredible thing is her spirit as she serves....  No matter where I go, the children quickly say Hola and then look around me for Tae.  She loves unconditionally..and I love that. 

Travis continues to help with teams as they come to Nicaragua with Project H.O.P.E. Again, I have seen the man of my life flourish as He serves Our Father.  While I've always loved and respected him....there is a newfound "aweness" of simply watching him serve and knowing that he is right where he is to be....  He also continues to work with the men at Furia Santa helping with block making and the garden ministry.  Who would have thought he was so relational?????  I have learned that of the two of us....he is the most compassionate and relational.  This has been incredible to watch.

Slaton continues to do well in school. He has recently decided he wants to learn to play guitar so many songs are going through our home.  He loves going into the communities that Project H.O.P.E. has built and play with the kids and going to the orphanage...but mostly he loves to simply play...doesn't matter where he is or who he is with...play.  I love watching his faith grow here.  He ends each day with us reading the Bible.  That is his book that he always grabs to read.  The faith of a child....wish we could all be so foundational sound. God is God because He is...end of story.

Through each of these ministries, we are seeing lives changed and decisions made for Christ...and that is incredible.

God has recently brought a new boy into our world.  His name is Antonio.  He has opened my eyes to the plight of orphans.  While we weren't seeking for another child for our world, God was and I have literally seen miracles before my eyes.  Our joke around the house is that this young boy wants a family so bad that he would take ours!  Crazy, I know!!! I could find him a hundred better suited families!!! I can tell you though, never underestimate the value of family...the power of family...even a family as crazy as ours.  I have seen transformation before my eyes.  A child prone to tantrums, with a very uneven gait, with little hope or worldy love has blossomed.  I can't tell you the last time he had a tantrum, he now goes up and down stairs, runs and hops on one leg, can wink, smiles and laughs.....and, again, we are nothing special.  But he wanted a family, and out of that he, with God's Hand, has change dramatically.  It reminds me a bit of when we saw Slaton defy odds being a preemie....God's hand at work.

I saw our last post was about our Community... Our community is recently changing. We will be moving on April 15th...(Tax day for US and Holy Week for Nicaragua) to another home. It is a tad bit closer to Slate's school (no curvy, hilly dirt road:-)), it has quite a bit of yard that is entirely fenced and is better suited for Slaton's dog Buster with the bonus of being cheaper than our rent here.  We weren't looking to move and then God literally showed us the sign and we took a look and there you go!  And our lease is up here!!  How cool is that timing???   So, Travis and Slaton will have chickens (and our own eggs!!), can raise our own turkey and garden. 

Thank you for your constant prayers and support.  Each day that we are here, we know that we are walking this path with many others and for that we are eternally grateful.  Thank you to those who financially share this journey with us.