Hey everyone! Greetings from my 5th day in Copan, Honduras.
Wow, it's beautiful here. Mountains. Tons of green life. The smell of Honduras that brings back so many memories. God is so good to me.
But I must tell you, it's been really tough trying to learn the language here, and I've been learning how to lean on Him for everything I need...something I definitely need to work on. I so easily try to take everything on with my own strength, and I just can't do it. I need Him in EVERYthing! All of it. TODO.
Well, here's the story of my travels thus far...
I arrived in Honduras on Saturday, the 21st. Immediately I felt a bit alone. I had never arrived in the San Pedro Sula airport before, and I knew I would have to travel 4 more hours on my own in a foreign country...ayyy. But God was so present that day...I found peace and relaxation as the day wore on and the beautiful travels ensued. When I finally arrived in Copan at 10 PM, I found it surprisingly easy to speak with my host family...a solid Christian family with lots of love, laughter, and generosity.
Sunday was more difficult. I slept in late 'cause of my travels and because of the 1 1/2 hrs. of sleep on Friday night, and I was NOT ready to speak spanish when I woke up. But I TRIED. I met a few visitors to my host family's house. It seems they always have visitors in and out...I love it. My place is so beautiful...surrounded by flowers, and so wide-open to the fresh air...definitely a difference I enjoy in Latin America! And the roosters wake me up in the morning...I guess it does not matter that I forgot my cell phone in MN!
Anyway, I attended church with mi madre on Sunday night...beautiful, but of course tough. But I was reminded of why I am here. "I have come, O God, to do Your will!" (Jesus:)
Monday I began my immersion class. My maestro (teacher) is fun and not at all intimidating, so that's been great for the learning process. But class is still hard. I love the full-on spanish, though...I always struggled to really speak it back home, so I love that I'm forced to do so here. My teacher told me that, when it comes to mathematics, 4-1=3, but when it comes to language (speaking it, reading it, writing it, listening to it--the 4 requirements), 4-1=0. So true!
Monday I was totally overwhelmed with the language around me. I was so exhausted that I took a 3-hr nap. I couldn't get anything out in spanish, and I couldn't remember anything! Ayyyyy!
Tuesday was a new day, though. God spoke very clearly to me.
It was yet another tough day with the language. I gave up on it very early, as I ended up hanging out with 2 other (english-speaking:) soon-to-be-volunteers that are also studying here. There are 4 of us total, so I'm not the only one who is learning--YAY!
Well, I came home in the afternoon and spoke some with my host mom. I love talking about God with her...at least what I am able.:) We were talking and I heard a Christian song in english on her stereo...and I was suddenly excited to hear english. She then told me that she didn't understand any of the song, except the "Hallelujah!" part. In spanish, the word is pronounced the same but spelled differently. Mi madre (Cori) said to me, "Aleluyah--it's God's language!" Wow, it brought me much joy, and I needed to go to my room and pray. I turned on my worship music, and another song with 'hallelujah' in it often began playing on my ipod. I went to my knees and began thanking God for all the gifts of this place. I repented of my pride and of trying to do everything on my own. And do you know what He told me?? Ohhhh man, it was beautiful.
He said,
"This is our love story, Jenna."
Wow. What a dance with the Lord and Best Friend of my life. He has brought me here for such a time as this. He has carried me to so many places in this world, and we've had so many adventures together, and this is just another page in our love story. God is absolutely in love with me, and that is why He brought me here. WOW. In my struggles and sufferings, I am like Him as He was on this earth...
and we dance together.
He completely understands. And when I struggle, I become more like Him. We dance more closely together. And our love story grows more intense. When I suffer, I become more like Him in His death, so that I can know Him more. So that all that is in me that is not of Him can therefore die. Oh Lord, I want to die to myself so that I can know You more. Lord, please help me!
Gracias por este regalo, Senor!
Gracias por mi vida...y Tu vida!
Gracias por esta aventura!
Gracias por TODO...AMEN!
Aleluyah!
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." -John 12:24
LOVE YOU ALL!!
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12 comments:
Miss Jenna...you are my hero. You're in my thoughts.
Love you Jenna. So happy to hear from you!
This was absolutely beautiful! Thank you for your service and example.
Love you.
amazing. i love you:)
OMG jenna
so true. unless we die then only can it produce fruit. and it doesnt have to be literal. ah, my heart it so happy for you. continue to pursue spanish I told you you sound great. people of different languages are blown away and wonder why anyone would make so much effort to learn their language. it the thought that counts. what you wrote today, I felt in my spirit the first time you said you might be coming. GREATNESS
Jenna, this is from your neighbors across the street in Minnesota - the Wahalas.
What a tremendous surprise to read the "Herald" this afternoon and see your photo and read your story!
You have blessed out hearts. When I saw your mom out in her garden, I just had to walk across the street and talk to her.
Your willingness to travel to Honduras reminds me of a song I taught children in our Sunday School: He does not compel us to go...He does not compel to go...He does not compel us to go 'gainst our will...but He just makes us willing to go."
Jenna, you have done that and now He has more in store for you.
Sharon and Larry
Continuing to pray for you. It is wonderful to see what God has done even in this short amount of time!
It's so great to read your thoughts Jenna! I pray that God will remind you to BREATHE in HIS GOODNESS and the LIFE unto which HE has BLESSED you with.
We saw you in the paper yesterday, love. So proud of you!
Hey Jenna! It's your favorite sister-in-law (of course, because I am the one and only). Glad to hear that things are going well down there for you. Don't get too frustrated with the language barrier... God will take care of that for you.
Gwen misses you. Your photo album of the two of you together is next to her bed. We'll make sure she doesn't forget you over the year.
We love you and miss you already! Take care and be greatly blessed!
Keep in touch...
Love,
Jenny (Matt and Gwen)
Jenna,
It was a gift to talk to you yesterday! Your blog is terrific. It touched my heart. I'm so blessed to be on this journey with you though I'm far away. There is no distance in the Spirit and we are close in prayer.
I Love You,
Kris Munoz
HI Jenna, glad you made it down ok and everything seems to be going good. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, be careful and enjoy. I am sure your Spanish will improve everyday....keep it up, you will be fluent before you know it!
The Hawley's
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