Preparing for Tenerife
I (finally) got me some wheels!
For over a year now, I have gotten by borrowing my mom’s or dad’s vehicles to get around when needed. To their relief, I have my own set of wheels now! Last May I had saved up $3000 to purchase a used car only to become discouraged when I saw the market prices. Used cars have become especially prized commodities these days. So, I continued to save and began praying for God to align the finances, the right time, the right car, and all those other details involved in owning a car.
After a year, God finally brought about the
right one. Just a couple weeks ago a member at our church had fixed up a 2000
Toyota Camry and was selling it for $3000. The same amount I had hoped to pay
originally! God is so good! Sure, the car is old, a bit worn, and, according to
my mom, needs hubcaps. But my niece and nephew always ask if they can ride in
my “cool new car”. This car is a blessing so I can drive to medical and visa
appointments, church visits and even provide transport for a refugee family
from Afghanistan!
Learning to listen
Sometimes I’m that sweet older lady with God. I ask him
so many questions. My prayers become requests instead of communion. I just nod
along as I read his word or sit through church. I don’t realize I’m not
actually listening until something jolts me awake. My problem isn’t that I
can’t listen, it’s that I get so distracted with all the “noise” of life.
So, I’m learning again to zone out the noise and focus on Christ, to actually take the time for communion instead of speeding through prayer requests. Jesus is not something I add to my life when needed. Jesus is life.
New opportunities
Friendship with muslims
Our church (in Missouri) has befriended an Afghan refugee family that moved to our small town. It has been fascinating to learn a new culture that is so different from any I have experienced before. They are muslim. They speak a language that is not remotely close to any I know, though I admit my reflex is to speak Spanish to someone who doesn’t understand me in English. I know, silly me.
Besides, the
language barrier, there are cultural and religious obstacles that make
socializing challenging in ways I’ve never experienced before. It has been a
good exercise in trusting God to take my meager words and actions and interpret
them into a friendship. Also, it has been good for me to learn to accept them as
they are, regardless of their beliefs, while yearning that they find freedom
and joy in Christ. I can’t wait to see how God works in their hearts and
transforms this family.
Summer mission trip
I get to spend the summer in Tenerife, Canary Islands to work
with the Comunidad Cristiana Tenerife Church! The missionaries, Steve and
Priscila Dye, are traveling to the U.S. to drop off their eldest son for
college and will visit their supporting churches. I will travel the first week
of July to Tenerife and stay at their house with their friend Mama Ema
(pictured above wearing glasses on the far right). While there I will help out
with the children’s Sunday School and weekly Bible studies and discipleship. I
am so glad I had the opportunity to meet the leadership team last fall when I
went on my exploratory trip. They are growing deeper in their faith, in spite
of facing spiritual attacks since making a deeper commitment to serve Christ. I’m
excited to get to work alongside the team this summer. May it be a time of
growth and encouragement!
Prayer Requests
- Health and safety for my trip to
Tenerife. Travel dates are July 4 – September 23.
- That God would strengthen the
Tenerife church leadership and that the devil would be bound.
- My ulcerative colitis is in
remission!!! Praise the LORD!!!
Thank you for your continued love and
support!
Joy and peace,
Erin
facebook.com/erin.shead
instagram.com/alatariel81
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