June 2021
Hi Friends!
Hope you are doing well! It's been a packed last few months, God is up to exciting things here in La Libertad! I'll brief you on the CDI (Children's Development Center), women's ministry, upcoming mission trips, a quick trip back to Ohio I took last month, where I'm at in my residency process, and finally my living situation.
Ministry
After over a year of waiting, we are starting to prepare to meet in person with the kids at the CDI again!! Ivo and Marielos (the pastor and his wife, the director of the CDI) have been in contact with the health dept. asking that the volunteers at the CDI be eligible to get vaccinated (currently only people 40+ are eligible). With that being said, we are currently in the process for reopening, but when exactly is still indefinite. We are having weekly meetings to pray for the CDI, for our staff and volunteers, and for our kids. Each week we share 3 things with the staff: what we've been studying in our private devotional time, our discipleship plan, and if we've had any evangelism experiences that week.
Discipleship
For a while now, the Lord has put the young women in the church on my heart. I've noticed a lack of fellowship and discipleship among them and have been praying and asking the Lord what He would have me do in respect to that. I decided to start inviting the girls to my house once a week to offer a space of fellowship and friendship so that we can start building trust and getting to know one another. For this first month, we are just hanging out and our next step will be to start studying the Bible together. This time together has been so refreshing for me and I think for the girls as well. Please be praying that the Lord would soften the hearts of the girls, that our time together would be fruitful, and that Sigourney (the other missionary here in La Libertad) and I would be discerning and open to the Lord's guidance for this group.
Mission Team Season
Between July and August we are looking forward to welcoming 3 different mission teams in La Libertad! Because of the pandemic mission team weeks look a little different than they used to due to safety guidelines. Nevertheless, we are so excited and are praying expectantly that the Lord will do BIG things through the groups that come. Please pray for the health and safety of all team members, as well as the church and staff.
Team 1: July 5-6
Team 2: July 10-18
Team 3: July 31- Aug 8
Family Time
This past month I had the opportunity to travel back to Ohio for a dear friend's wedding. With everything going on, I decided to extend my trip so that I could get fully vaccinated as well. It was such a refreshing time spent with family and close friends and I feel renewed and ready to jump right back into ministry here!
Residency
Due to a few hiccups in the residency process with my documents, I will have to start over from scratch basically. With a lot of changes in leadership in the church, I will have to wait til mid-July to resubmit my documents. Please continue to pray for ease and favor during this process!
Living Situation
Since arriving, I have been living in a little town called Zaragoza, which is about 15 minutes away from La Libertad. Recently the owner of the house I'm renting told me that they are planning on returning to the house when my contract is up. In the upcoming weeks the pastor will be helping me look for a new place to live and I am asking the Lord to show me if He would like me to stay in the area I'm at, or move down to La Libertad. Residencial neighborhoods with security aren't as common in La Libertad, which is why I'm also looking where I currently live. Please pray that the Lord would guide my steps in this process and make it clear where He wants me to move.
Pray with Me
- CDI- wisdom for reopening, safety for all our staff, volunteers, and kids.
- Women's discipleship and ministry- that the Lord would direct our steps and open the hearts of the girls
- Residency
This month in my devotions I've been focused on the book of James and wisdom. He tells us that all we need to do is simply ask for wisdom and He will give it to us- wisdom that is "pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." I am praying this for you! I am so grateful for your continued support and prayers.
Abrazos!
Bendiciones,
Alyssa
James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
