Back Again

This summer has been a whirlwind of visits, travel, new places, and old friends. As exhausting as all the traveling and couch-hopping has been, this month has also been a time of re-charging. See, I love my job as a missionary very much, but I hadn't realized just how much I needed to be cared for. Having my friends make my favorite foods and watch movies with me, spending an entire day hugging my nephews, and chatting till all hours may not have been physically restful, but my heart is much refreshed.

I've also had the opportunity to share with many people a peek into the life of a missionary. I've been asked many times what the hardest part of being a missionary is. I'm sure this question is posed with the anticipation of a crazy story about eating bugs or going to places without electricity or running water. Let me tell you what the hardest part is: goodbye. Watching my friends live life without being able to participate fully is incredibly difficult. Seeing my nephews growing without being there for first steps, first words, and story time is heart breaking. Living far away from my brother, and now my sister, makes my heart hurt.

So why do we do it? Why do I willingly break my heart and say goodbye? Why do I live far away from Chipotle and Jamba Juice? It's a calling. The work being done in Oaxaca is so important. Loving the unreached is what we have been commanded to do. Living to glorify God is what we are created to do. Of course there are so many awesome perks of living in Oaxaca (I mean, tacos!) and I enjoy the work. And there is something so special about the peace that comes with doing the thing you're supposed to do, called to do, meant to do.

This is just a little reminder to you, reader, to write an encouraging note to your friend working in ministry or as a missionary; know that it was hard for us to leave and say goodbye... and if you're lucky, we'll tell you that gross bug story!

Well, I'm back at OCS! Today was my first day of teaching, and I'm so excited to see how much we learn as we read and write this year. I'm a lucky teacher, blessed with great kids who are interested in learning...or at least pretending like they're interested in what I've got to teach! Today we talked about how the subjects in school point us towards Christ. History teaches us what He's done. Math and Science teach us about how His creation works and the specific purposes He created things for. Literature teaches us what should or ought to happen; and as Christians we have an absolute truth to base our future decisions on. We know what should happen, and we know how the big story ends, so reading opinions or other perspectives is interesting! Pray for an awesome year!

Gracias,

-Ruth

Prayer Requests:

-We dropped my sister off at college last week! As sad as I am for me, I'm so excited for her as she begins this new chapter. Pray for peace, lessened culture shock, and good friendships as she lives so far from home.

-Pray for school! OCS started classes on Monday. We still have needs for teachers, unfortunately. Pray for staff and for support needed by potential staff.

-My friend Isaac and I are in charge of Youth Group at OCS this year, and we have a lot of work ahead! Pray for leaders, wisdom in teaching the McChildrens, and patience (for us and for the youth/parents) as we take on this new role.

*If you are interested in ways to help or support me or any of the projects or ministries here in Oaxaca, please email me!

ruthpmissions@gmail.com