Already 1 month!!!

The phrase "Time flies" really does hold truth. I can't believe it's already been a month since I moved to El Salvador. A lot of great things have been happening and I'm so excited to summarize for you all!

To start out...I'd like to share how God has answered the many prayers that you all have prayed on my behalf! This Monday I received the good news that Immigration finally accepted all my paperwork and I now have my VISA! Wheeww! This was a really important step in me being here and to be honest was a tough and, at times, a discouraging process. Any of you who have ever dealt with this process know exactly what I'm talking about. God really helped me to be "okay" and relax in the frustrating moments. So Praise God that is over with...for now! Second answered prayer is that Wednesday God opened the doors to find and buy a car!! Because of the provision that God has given you all, which in turn you have blessed me with, I now hold the key to a 2009 Nissan Sentra in good condition! Car buying is hard enough...add on a used car, shopping in a foreign country, trying to negotiate a good price, having a good mechanic to tell you exactly what you're getting, and you've got a recipe for the perfect area to practice patience. :) So grateful to finally have a car and be able to "go" and learn the roads here. Having a car is going to help out with ministry in TREMENDOUS ways, so it's a really big blessing to have some wheels! Thank you for you diligent prayers and generous giving! I am reminded of Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

As far as ministry goes, as I said before, right now is "summer vacation" so things are more relaxed and not a whole lot going on. However, it's been a great time to learn the ropes with how the different ministries operate and work on some little projects that we have. One of my roles here is being a coordinator and leader with the teams and short-termers that the base receives. I have been connecting a lot with our base in Omaha in preparation for the people that we will receive. It's really exciting to be able to plan and wait in anticipation for those who feel led to serve here in El Salvador. What I am most passionate about is the spiritual-wellfare of those who are to come. I want them to be prepared, as best as possible, to encounter God and grow spiritually while serving down here. I ask for your prayers in the wisdom to know how to best do this as we begin receiving missionaries and teams next year. 

Personally I am beginning to feel a bit more "at home". There is still lots that I am learning and getting adjusted to, but by the grace of God it is coming along bit by bit. This time truly is perfect...I am really able to focus on the logistics and have no excuses for  not spending time with the Lord. It's been great to wake up, enjoy God's wonderful creation (it's so apparent here) and spend time in His presence. I so encourage you all, especially during this Holiday season, to stop and spend time with our Creator...He longs to pass this precious time with us, if only we would take the time to do it. 

I'd appreciate your prayers for the following:

-Safety, protection, and wisdom while driving in this crazy country

-Wisdom for planning and preparing for the missionaries and teams to come and serve

-Peace and unity within the organization...to really come as one in love

-Strength and growth in this time of preparing for the areas that I serve and will begin to serve in

I'm so grateful for you all...I will never be able to stop saying that. I love to hear from you as well, so please don't ever hesitate to write me! Enjoy the pictures!!!

Much love and warm hugs,

Lauren :)

Me with the much awaited Visa

CAR!! Praise Jesus

Valeria (Pastors daughter) and I at Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday!

Settling down in El Salvador

It's been about 2 weeks since I left the US to begin this long-awaited journey to serve in El Salvador for longer term. I am sure you all are wondering what I have been up to; so this update is to do just that, let you all know what has been going on since I arrived.

First of all, I just have to say THANKS! Many of you have been in this process with me since the start and have seen how God moved in BIG ways to get me down here. I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for supporting me emotionally, spiritually, financially, and in many other different aspects. I literally would NOT be here if it wasn't for all of you! It is a huge blessing to know that there are so many incredible people in my life who believe in me and the mission which has been placed before us. Thank you thank you thank you!

Well, for starters I think the timing of me coming down here has been perfect. The schools here have already taken their final exams and are now on their "summer break". Everyone will be on vacation until the middle/end of January, when school will start back up. The reason I say it's such perfect timing is because it allows me to focus on getting my temporary residence, which is extremely important. This process has so many different requirements and paperwork that it has been occupying most of my time. For those of you who may not know the culture and understand what "latino time" means, things around here don't always happen right away when you need it. For example, if someone says they are going to meet you somewhere at 1, you may not get together until 1:30 or 2. Therefore, these couple of weeks I have simply been waiting for people to get back to me and sometimes getting the run around with the Salvadorian government. This is pretty normal but also a bit frustrating as I have to turn in my paperwork this week before some of my documents expire! Please please be praying that I can get all the correct paperwork in my hands and that the visa process goes well.

Apart from focusing on my Visa, I've been getting adjusted to life down here and doing all the normal things that one would do when moving to a new place. Again, the timing is perfect as a few people and families have been free to take me to all the places I need to go and help me with this big move and all the details since I don't have a car yet. Specifically, a retired American couple who are also missionaries with our organization (CFCI) has been absolutely amazing in taking care of me. They are extremely hospitable and have really shown me what it means to take care of "the body of Christ". In Acts it talks about how the body of believers took care of each other, shared amongst themselves and no one was in need. It's been a humbling experience to have Andy and Deborah caring of all my needs, making me feel welcome and being a comfort as I transition from life in the States to here. May we all be living examples of Jesus by taking care of our fellow brothers and sisters.

I am happy to say that I am officially settled in my apartment and have a spare bedroom which I would LOVE to fill up with visitors!!! :) The area in which I am staying at is very safe and beautiful. I can walk just a block down the street to the grocery store without problems and the other 2 American missionary families also live in the same complex. I feel very very blessed to be staying where I'm at and little by little it's starting to feel like a home. I have been able to visit with people who I haven't seen in a while and have had a day here and there to just relax amongst the business and chaos, haha. :)

Once I have officially turned in my paperwork for the visa and things start moving with that, I will be sitting down with some of the directors and further discussing my specific roles and schedule within the ministry. The basic overview of what I'll be dong includes; sports ministry, ESL, and helping with teams and short term individuals that the base receives. I'm excited to further define how I can use my talents and resources to further God's Kingdom by serving here in El Salvador.

In risk of writing a book, I think I'll wrap it up for today's update. Thank you for your prayers, I can definitely feel them. I ask that you continue doing so, specifically for my visa and all the other details of moving to a new place. I look forward to updating you again here soon and would love to hear back from you! Please don't hesitate to contact me, ask me questions, or set up a time to Skype! You all mean so much to me! Until next time!

Much love,
Lauren