Last Thursday, Ben and I presented, along with five others from our group, our project that was part of the internship program. It was great!! Or subculture group was the Mixtec. They are an indigenous people group who come from the region of Mixteca, in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. Because of soil erosion, and other environmental factors, they can no longer produce enough food to provide for their families. So, many have migrated to the United States to work agricultural jobs. There are more than 500,000 people from Oaxaca in the United States, with over 300,000 of them in California. And of those, more than 20,000 Mixtecs live in Ventura County. Oxnard provides many year round opportunities in its fields. However, the Mixtecs do not speak Spanish or English, so many end up being exploited by land owners. They are working the hardest of jobs for the least amount of pay.
Anyhow. This was a fantastic, and eye-opening project. We ended up with 40 pages of information, interviews, observations, mission strategies, and prayer points pertaining to this subculture groups. It was a great experience, and I was so honored to be part of it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Rejoicing!!!
Monday we had another ultrasound to check on the status of my blood clot. Last time, it was quite thick, dark in the middle (showing fluid), and stretched obvious half of my uterus).
This time.... It was no longer dark in the middle (it's clotting), and it was about 1/4 of the size it had been. Our doctor, who is not the most emotive person in the world even said, "This is pretty significant considering what it was five weeks ago."
He even thinks that we *might* be able to go ahead with a home delivery. This is literally, more than we could have hoped or imagined. We are rejoicing in this miracle. I've been having quite a bit more energy lately, which is lovely. I told Ben that in many ways, for me, it is like the pregnancy is just now beginning. Unfortunately for everyone in my household, this burst of energy has meant reorganizing projects all over the house!! I am just overjoyed that our sweet baby girl is doing well, and I am amazed at God's work on our behalf. :-)
This time.... It was no longer dark in the middle (it's clotting), and it was about 1/4 of the size it had been. Our doctor, who is not the most emotive person in the world even said, "This is pretty significant considering what it was five weeks ago."
He even thinks that we *might* be able to go ahead with a home delivery. This is literally, more than we could have hoped or imagined. We are rejoicing in this miracle. I've been having quite a bit more energy lately, which is lovely. I told Ben that in many ways, for me, it is like the pregnancy is just now beginning. Unfortunately for everyone in my household, this burst of energy has meant reorganizing projects all over the house!! I am just overjoyed that our sweet baby girl is doing well, and I am amazed at God's work on our behalf. :-)
Sensing Jesus- Book Review
Wow! This is a must read for those in ministry....and even those who aren't. :-) I really enjoyed this book by Zack Eswine. The subtitle is: Life and Ministry as a Human Being. The basic premise of the book is that our failure to admit our own struggles, humanity, and limitations actually hinder any attempts to minister, and really slander God in the process.
This is not an "easy read", as in, you most likely won't breeze through this book. There were times when I got a little lost in the author's poetic language, or streams of thought. But it is SO worth the time to deeply ponder these things.
Part One looks at "Exposing Our Temptations", including trying to be every where, fix everything, and know everything. With beautiful personal insight, Mr. Eswine walks through each of these temptations, showing that our very striving to be like God in these ways prevents us from experiencing the supernatural power of Christ, at work in those who would admit their need and dependence upon Him.
Part Two, "Examining Our Mentoring" helps walk through the physical, mental, and emotional patterns that we have learned along the way in our journey. Among my favorites was Chapter Nine, entitled Immediacy: Managing a Jesus Way of Time. Ministry, and life itself, presents many opportunities to take "short cuts" in an effort to produce more, right now! Jesus offers a slower pace. He is content to wait upon the Father.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It's implications for ministry are so important-returning to a way of life which follows our Savior, acknowledging our dependence upon Him. With helpful personal examples and useful illustrations, Zack Eswine pours over 20 years of ministry into this helpful book to remind us just how much we need our Savior.
This is not an "easy read", as in, you most likely won't breeze through this book. There were times when I got a little lost in the author's poetic language, or streams of thought. But it is SO worth the time to deeply ponder these things.
Part One looks at "Exposing Our Temptations", including trying to be every where, fix everything, and know everything. With beautiful personal insight, Mr. Eswine walks through each of these temptations, showing that our very striving to be like God in these ways prevents us from experiencing the supernatural power of Christ, at work in those who would admit their need and dependence upon Him.
Part Two, "Examining Our Mentoring" helps walk through the physical, mental, and emotional patterns that we have learned along the way in our journey. Among my favorites was Chapter Nine, entitled Immediacy: Managing a Jesus Way of Time. Ministry, and life itself, presents many opportunities to take "short cuts" in an effort to produce more, right now! Jesus offers a slower pace. He is content to wait upon the Father.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It's implications for ministry are so important-returning to a way of life which follows our Savior, acknowledging our dependence upon Him. With helpful personal examples and useful illustrations, Zack Eswine pours over 20 years of ministry into this helpful book to remind us just how much we need our Savior.
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