One trial after another...

This has been a time of trials and difficulties for many people. First off, I have been sick off and on all month… in reality it has been all winter long. I finally went to the doctor to find out it is a cross between sinus problems and allergies. After getting over that, I came down with what seemed to be the flu (or food poisoning) and put me out for a couple days. Finally, God has been testing me in various areas. I praise Him for the growth that I see in my own life in the way I responded to some of the trials. For example, one day I was invited to the 15th birthday of one of the girls who doesn’t go to the church. While there some of the youth were using my camera to take pictures and broke it. They didn’t have the courage to tell me but when I found out the first thing that crossed my mind was, “My relationship with them is more important than my camera.” The second things was, “Though I’m not sure I’d feel the same if it was my laptop”. Two weeks later while using my computer, one of my friends leaned against the table causing my computer to raise and come down pretty hard. The screen began showing blue lines and started making weird noises. I turned it off and restarted it and it was working VERY slowly. After using it a couple minutes is went completely black and shut down. I couldn’t start it up again so I began praying. My friend was very upset, but I decided to trust that if wasn’t going to work that God had a reason for it and once again, “My relationship with them was more important than my computer”. I won’t lie… it did hurt a bit knowing that I hadn’t backed up the photos and other important information. After praying, I removed the battery and replaced it and it started up as if nothing had happened. I’m not sure what the problem was, but I choose to believe that God did a miracle! My last trial had to do with a relationship. One of my friends got upset with me over a trivial matter and said some pretty hurtful things and walked away saying she never wanted to see me again. For me this was the most difficult trial, as it had to do with what is most important to me “a relationship”. Once again I decided to trust God and started reading the Psalms and praying. I knew that God had a purpose and wanted to work in the life of both of us and as hard as it was to let her walk away knowing it could be the end of our friendship, I obeyed God and sought Him alone. That very same day, we were able to reconcile everything and restore our friendship. I am excited to see God at work in my own life molding me into the image of His son. Pray for continued growth as I seek Him.

Another difficult situation that we have faced during this time is the suicide of a lady who is a friend, a mother, a sister and a daughter of many people who attend the church here in Catamarca. I don’t think I have every seen so much pain expressed at the loss of someone. In the states we tend to grieve in private, but that is not the case here in Argentina. I can not remove the pain in the voice of her son, Emanuel, when he arrived at the hospital after finding out. I spent the whole day of the ‘memorial service’ with the family and close friends of the family. Not much was said, but many times your presence and hugs are enough. Please continue to pray for the family as the go through the grieving process. I can already see God’s healing hand at work as many are seeking Him during this time of loss. Their names are: Children (Emanuel, Jorge, Carolina, and Gonzalez) Mother: (Mirta) Siblings: (Italo, Julio, Soledad, and Mauricio). Pray that they would continue to seek God for healing and that I would allow God to use me in their life in what ever way He wants to use me. (Photos: Up - Mauricio, Emanuel, Julio and Damien (a good friend) Right - Carolina

My family back home has also been facing various trials and I would appreciate pray for them as well. A couple weeks ago my father was fired from his job and falsely accused of various things. Pray for him as he seeks God’s will during this time. Pray that they would trust in God, who is just and all-powerful, a God who can use all things for our good and can turn bad into good.