My mother will be so proud of me! I am finally sitting down to write on my blog! MUCH APOLOGIES! I am so sorry it has taken me forever to write another blog. I just kept pushing it back and back until i realized that it was a month later. I had a few people wondering if i was still alive! YES I AM FULL AND WELL! :)
Wow life is busy here. It never stops but i am enjoying every minute of it! I am reminded of Scott Bostick's quote, "Life if too short not to take Jesus at His Word." Think about it! October was the church anniversary month here; which meant my family was busy every weekend with church activities. Its been great though! God is working so much in the lives of the people here and it continually amazes me to see how much faith people put in Christ. My brothers and sisters in Christ are always setting an example for me.
Ok so here a few things i have gotten to do the past month:
- I got to go to Colonial Tavar. This is a old German village up in the mountians. My family went there when we lived in Venezuela 8 years ago and it is one of my dad's favorite places here. I was invited to go with some friends from school over fall break and the girl who took us wanted to do a photo shoot type thing. One of my really good friends from school, Adri, is an AWESOME photographer and so we had a lot of fun taking pictures in nice dresses and just hanging out. I was also able to buy some Christmas presents for my family up there. I CAN NOT WAIT to see them at Christmas!
- Every Friday night my school has youth group and that has been going GREAT! God is working in the lives of my classmates but MUCH prayer is needed as well for my classmates and faith.
- Every Saturday night I go to the church youth group. I LOVE IT. i am pretty sure its one of my favorite times of the week. It is simply like one BIG family and i love seeing people my age who are seeking the Lord with their whole lives. God has blessed me so much with friendships since i have been here. I remember one of the first nights getting to Venezuela and praying "God please help me to connect with people and just make a few good friends." WELL God has sure given me a plethora . THANK YOU! Also thanks to all who have been praying for me and my friendships :)
- Since i have been in Venezuela i have been able to develop a really strong relationship with my English teacher. Her name is Natalie and she is only 24; but a great teacher and friend. I clicked with her since the first day of school and she asked if i was interested in her discipling me. So we meet weekly after school and have great talk time, Bible time, and prayer time. God has extremely blessed me with this friendship. It just reminds me of all my awesome friends back at home and how much i miss talking with them about Christ and our lives. This past weekend Natalie spent the night and in the morning we made pancakes and then we carved a pumpkin and made delicious pumpkin seeds! I had a great time with her and she has been challenging me in many areas of my life.
- Now to last weekend. A NEW EXPERIENCE. AN ADVENTURE. OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. ONLY SPANISH. NERVOUS. EXCITED. FAITH. So last weekend one of my friends from church, Adriana, invited me to come down and spend the afternoon with her, go to youth group, and then spend the night with her. How could i give up an opportunity like this? Dionna drove me to a bus stop and dropped me off. I waited for about 15 minutes in line. During that time i was thinking, "I have no idea what city i am in, I do not speak very good spanish, but Jesus- all i have and need it You." A step of faith. I felt completely in God's Hands, safe and loved. Once i got off the bus my friend picked me up and we went to her house. Let me remind you of something- SHE ONLY SPEAKS SPANISH! Like i said, what an experience! After youth group we hung out with some other church friends. By the time we got back to her house my brain was FRIED. But my friend was pacient with me and helped me alot! MY FIRST SLEEPOVER IN VENEZUELA! i loved it all! Her family was really fun to be with too!
There are a few details of me life. :) Like i said earlier, the year is going by extremely fast! School has been great. Stressful at times- with homework and all. But i am really enjoying my classes. Anatomy has been a blast- very challenging but i am learning so much! In Bible class we are starting to study Hebrews! GAHH i am SO excited to study it with my Bible teacher- he is a really neat guy with a radically passionate heart for the Lord. Home life has been good. Aunt Donna is a great cook but i miss my mom's good cookin' and my dad's venison every now and then. I love every chance i get to talk to my family on the phone or Skype! I still can not believe i have been away from home almost 3 months! Glory to God for getting me through hard times when i miss them.
Spiritually, God has continued to shape my heart and mold me to be His alone. I have learned so much about humility through my difficulites with Spanish, perseverance with homework, loving people, and giving God complete control. My Spanish tutor has been making me memorize verses in Spanish from Romans that i can use at the hospital. She is yet another blessing in my life! I have also been learning the "behind the scenes work" of missions. I have always said i want to be a missionary and when i look at my life and faith and fears right now, i think: IMPOSSIBLE! I need more faith, more trust in God. But then i also think: GOD IS WITH YOU ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! I will go wherever He wants me to go. But i must surrender everything to Him. Let go of myself. Let go of the world and its desires. Stop listening to the devil's lies. and FOLLOW HIM.
Love you all lots! Thanks for all prayers, encouraging emails, and support!
Dios te bendiga (God Bless You)
mariah brooke :)
{the pictures is from a church event. The girl on the left of me, Amaris, has been one of my good friends for a LONG TIME! Then there is Adriana- the girl who i spend the night with. Then one of the youth leaders!}
