Motivation Madness

Hello friends!

It’s been a bit since my last update… honestly, I’ve been struggling to find some extra motivation lately. Things have felt a bit dismal recently. We are in our 11th month of social distancing and quarantine. Mexico was just named the worst place to be during a pandemic. With very few ventilators available in the whole state of Oaxaca, along with the low economic status of the people here (meaning many cannot social distance or quarantine- or afford medical care), we’ve been hit pretty hard. Many people we know and love have passed away or have family members that have passed away due to COVID. Otherwise, they’ve been negatively affected by losing jobs, schooling, scholarships, etc.Every time I’ve considered writing an update in the last two months, I’ve been at a loss. I feel like I’m in a monotonous limbo. So this week I had a little conversation with myself. I said, “Self, you’ve gotta count the good things!” So I did. Having you- my supporters, encouragers, prayer warriors- as a source for accountability pushed me to think about the wonderful things God has continued to do here. And once I began making a list of blessings, fulfilled promises, and constancy, my list got longer and longer. Here goes:

Despite not having in-person classes since last March, my students have been the most inspirationally positive troopers. Without missing a day, they thank me at the end of class, they encourage each other, they find the good. We are reading some of my favorites this semester (Tale of Two Cities, Shakespeare, Poisonwood Bible, etc. – I’m here for all of your book recommendations, thank you). Three of my students participated in an essay competition held by Oxford University- and they ALL won a top position! I’m so incredibly proud of them; they worked so hard. We’ve also started doing Youth Group again, and my small group asked to discuss “Worry,” an ironic nudge from God for me. For the past two Youth Group meetings, once we’ve ended, the kiddos have asked to stay on Zoom and hang out with each other. They’ve spent hours just playing games and chatting. They’ve found how to truly be in community despite the distance.

At Lluvias Church, some much-postponed construction is getting finished. Our small group has faithfully and consistently met throughout this whole year- and we were blessed to meet in person for a small Christmas get-together. We filmed a hilarious Christmas video for our church kiddos -since we didn’t have a Christmas program this year. It was a complete blast!

My siblings were able to visit this Christmas, so we spent many late nights playing games and laughing together. Christmas week, we visited a remote village that has been cut off from the city for most of the year. We brought piñatas, care packages, and games. Over 50 children came to play- and my heart was so full, watching my siblings serve together and working alongside them. My sister, a nurse, was even able to assist at an emergency birth in the village. Even though the emergency situation did not end the way we would have wanted, she was able to share the Gospel with the mom and dad, pray with them, and offer a modicum of comfort and hope for them. I am incredibly blessed to belong to a ministry-minded family. We all gladly slept on wooden benches and smelled like smoke, played for hours, and carried countless children. It was truly a special experience.

As for Girasol, we’ve been able to assist with another birth! A beautiful baby girl was born- and all of us Girasol aunties are so happy to have another little one to love on. We’ve also helped a couple of girls learn how to make beaded jewelry. We’ve been selling the earrings faster than we can make them so far, but I promise to let you all know when we have more available for purchase. They’re beautiful, and the hours we’ve spent bent over our beadwork with the girls has been incredibly valuable. One girl asked us about our beliefs. We were able to share the Gospel with her, and she is currently reading through John- and asking a lot of questions! A day like that day makes all the slow work so worth it!

I guess when I really think about it- when I stop to remember God’s goodness, there is so much goodness to remember. Even reading my last update was a good reminder of how- through a pandemic, through sadness and suffering- God has done great things. Please continue to pray for the ministries here, and pray for those of us going through a bit of motivation madness. God’s promises are true. My promise? I promise to persist, to be willing to be the hands and feet, and to count my blessings daily.

Gracias

-Ruth

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