HIS staff

Here we are, the staff of Highlands International School. Almost half of the group is new, but God is allowing us to mesh and work together as his body, with all our quirks and differences and gifts. Although the heartache of missing last year's teachers will never be fully gone, I am so thankful for each of these guys and the opportunity to serve alongside them.

Here are some highlights with my fellow staffers from the past month or so.

Dodgeball champions! Haha...not quite. Even the middle school teams beat us--twice. We may look tough, but our dodgeball skills were anything but. However, it was a great way to raise money for a local organization. (L to R: me, Sarah--roomie, Ashlyn--roomie, and 2 guys who actually aren't staffers but friends who were willing to join our team)

Murder mystery dinner, hosted by the English-speaking church to raise money for local charities. We all were assigned characters and had to dress and act the part for the evening. Whatdya know? I, Silky M. Adam (back, center), was the culprit!

Wacky Tacky Tuesday for staff. Yes, just the staff and no students. This was to get the kids hyped up about our Spring Carnival (I got to be in charge of the pony rides...so much fun!). My favorite costume was one of my roommate's. I call her "SpongeSarah Wackypants." (You can probably figure out which one she is). Coincidentally, this was the day a visitor flew in from the NICS home office. He sure got a surprise!

Thank you for your prayers for unity, energy and the overflow of Christ's love in each of our lives!

romans 7

I have been battling through the idea of the law recently, and so I looked in Romans to get some clarity. Now I think I'm more confused than before (which is not always a bad thing; I know I'll struggle through it until I find a satisfying conclusion). So I started reading chapter 7, and came up with so many questions: What exactly does Paul mean when he talks about sin "seizing an opportunity through the commandment" yet "the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good"? And isn't it possible to serve God both with the mind and body, rather than, as Paul states, "I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin"? Does the law refer to the Old Testament law or to legalism? Or both? And if Jesus is the fulfillment not the abolishment of the law, then what does that mean for me in regards to being free from the law?
There aren't any deep thoughts to obtain from this post. However, I'd appreciate yours. If you have insight, commentary, or Scriptural cross-references for Romans 7, I'd love to know...please comment!

the source of freedom and love

This year marks 200 years of independence for the country of Bolivia. (There was a big celebration while I was in the States. I'm glad to have been absent during that craziness!) But as so many are trapped in poverty, prostituion is still legal and the sweet families at the river are being threatened that the government will tear down their homes, I don't believe that this freedom celebration can be for all Bolivians. So many are still in bondage to the vicious cycle of poverty, which often includes alcoholism and physical and sexual abuse.

As I'm reading the book of Hosea, I've been reflecting on my own life and convicted of my own wandering, "prone to leave the God I love." As vulgar as it sounds, I ultimately prostitute myself to other gods--busyness, identity in others, self-absorption, apathy--when I don't allow Christ to be my Husband and Lord over every part of my life. I also find this true for the beautiful country of Bolivia. She seems so confused as to who God is, so lost as to where she can find hope, that instead she pursues other lovers--money, power, alchohol, drugs, and false religion, rather than the love and freedom her Maker so willingly offers.

My prayer is that Bolivia as a nation, and that I in all my waywardness, will hear the Lord speaking tenderly above all the louder, alluring voices, and will answer to him and call him Husband. Only then can we experience true freedom in the safety and love of Christ.
"And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, 'You are my people'; and [s]he shall say, 'You are my God.' " ~Hosea 2:23

my new class

Here they are, my new sweet class of first graders (minus one)! They have been such a joy to teach and get to know these past 3 weeks. Some of my favorite highlights so far:

"Miss (pronounced "Meese"), I can have other pieza of tort?" ~Diego (pieza = piece and torta = cake: I love how they create their own cognates!)

And again, Diego, when asked why he was getting out of his seat, and he showed me the string to his glasses: "Meese, it is molesting me." (molestar = to bother)

"Meese, I love you so, so, so, so, so mooch!" ~Priscila (I wonder if I could ever teach upper grades where the kids aren't so openly affectionate.)

There will surely be more funny first grade quotes to come. I love 'em already; they're just so darn cute!

the humility of need

A dear friend recently reminded me of an important Scriptural phrase: "You have not because you ask not."
As a child, this was fairly easy to accept. Even though I wouldn't consider myself a greedy child, I rarely remembered having a problem asking for what I needed or wanted. When, then, does the idea of complete self-sufficiency and pride creep up and into our adolescent and adult lives? I've been struggling with this, especially the past couple days when "missionary funds" have been particularly low. Although I am fully aware of my need to act wisely with my money and that as an adult, I should break away from my parents financially, it is slightly more difficult with the field I have chosen, especially during the summer months. It's also quite a task to still be in need of financial support from others--and even to accept gifts from my ever-supportive family.
I don't like this feeling of being in need. It's uncomforable. Embarrassing. Shameful, even. It is at this place of total brokenness, though, where I can more vividly see the grace of God and the outpouring of that into my life by others.
I have been brought to my knees by the generous giving of so many, and just recently a good friend and my family, who have been so understanding of it all. Yet, what a humbling place to be in to have to ask! Why can't I just skip that step and "have?" I think "humbling" has a lot to do with it. How much more do I realize my lack of sufficiency and my real need of the Lord! And how clearly I can see God's care for me when I am at this point of need and he uses people to provide!
That monetary need is only a physical representation of the prayers I desperately need and covet. I am so thankful to everyone who has given to me, and ultimately to the ministry in Bolivia, financially, prayerfully or otherwise. I'm grateful that I can see the body of Christ working to pray for, care for, and give to others, whether that's to missionaries, their own families, churches, organizations or to a homeless person on the street.
I am grateful for the sting of humility that comes to rid me of pride. I am thankful for opportunities to see how God miraculously provides, even if it's an everyday miracle I wasn't anticipating. Upon reflecting on all I can learn from this, I suppose it's not so peculiar that Jesus referred to money so much during his ministry.
To paraphrase my friend again, "It's not our money anyway. It's God's; he's just loaning it to us." I think she deserves a penny for her thoughts.

FALLing into memories

in the spirit of halloween costumes, i found this one on my mom's dresser this morning. yep, that pudgy-pumpkin-blondie in the middle is me. i think i was excited about being between my two boy friends. they must have been quite mature for their age--one already had facial hair and the other white eyebrows. ah, i miss the days when those relationships weren't complicated. and when halloween costumes were decent and appropriate. sigh.

3...2...1...blastoff to kooky costumes

here it is, folks. the coveted photo my sister blogged about a few months ago. from left to right: kelly and jenny, modeling the popular and not-so-popular halloween costumes of the day, "cowgirl" and "space." it wasn't supposed to be scary, but i may have frightened a few little kids with this one. seriously, kel, how could you let me get away with this? ;)