Renewing My Visa

Looking back on the summer it seems to have slowly flown by. Some memories and accomplishments seem like they were yesterday and in the same thought they seemed to have happened years ago. Our 15 interns are heading home one by one week after week. Soon, the full time staff will be back to running this place without all of the much needed help we've had this summer.
God has been good and his grace has been sufficient every day. It also blows my mind how much I continue to grow up and learn more about myself as God reveals more of himself to me. It happens here every day. Some days I almost want to escape it because as God cuts off parts of me that aren't holy and reflective of Him and the healing hurts. We crave and were born to be loved by God, but part of his love is his discipline to make us more like Christ. Romans 8:29 and sanctification have taken a new meaning for me in the past few months.

My Spanish has improved and more conversations with my Nicaraguan co-workers and those living in the communities we work in have gone from horizontal to vertical. This is very rewarding. Since day one down here, I've longed to share my heart with all the people I've built lasting relationships with and God is allowing it to happen as I learn new phrases and words every day. I'm moving more from practical to conversational...thank you Father.

Please pray for our staff to continue to be unified and grown. We have been very intentional by meeting together and keeping each other accountable. Again, addressing our faults and seeking redemption as a group can be hard. Pray that we continue to see it as necessary and rewarding; that His grace would be sufficient for us through all that we do here.

Tonight is opening night of Peter Pan in Villa Catalina. Many of the kids in the play were a part of our project to move families out of the city dump and into healthy, thriving communities. They are now exploring arts and taking part in theater productions. The whole community comes out and watches. I'm fortunate enough to be in this one. I'm Smee. Just wait for the pictures...

I hope to see you all sooner than later. I'll be around Georgia and Alabama in late September.
Until Then,

Joey