Journal #14

Friday, September 1, 2006

We went to Bible Study last night. The building is an old hotel with a kitchen, 2 bathrooms and 4 rooms downstairs and the rooms/living quarters upstairs. When we got there, there was a circle of chairs set up in the first room where you walk in and then we have Bible Study in the room to the right. Everyone was in there getting ready to start. We sang for the first 25 minutes. Chad and I have learned that when we have a songbook and are able to sing along with the congregation we learn more Spanish. After singing, we stood for a prayer and then the preacher got up to share the lesson. He wrote the scripture Matthew 6:25-34 on the white board that is in the classroom.

He spoke for a few minutes and then started splitting the congregation into 2 groups. He asked 6 people to go into the other room where the circle of chairs were set up and the rest of us stayed in the room where we were and formed a circle with our chairs. He came over to explain to us what we were going to do and he asked me to lead the discussion in our group. It was me and Chad and 4 Guatemalteca women. We each shared something that we thought Jesus wants us to know in our lives today from the scripture in Matthew 6. I immediately began to feel pressure because I was afraid I would not know what they were sharing with us. However, it was quite the opposite. I was able to understand and write comments that each person had shared.

After we finished in our groups, we had about 10 minutes; we all came back together to discuss what we had learned. I had taken notes and Chad was asked to share what our group had talked about. He had to do it in Spanish. I could tell he was very nervous because he has never spoken in Spanish in front of a group like that. He reviewed what I had written and asked me how to pronounce a few words and then he was called up to speak. He did a terrific job. The people agreed with the things he was saying so we knew they understood him. Afterward he was applauded for the job well done.

We both learned a huge lesson last night. We both had fear and anxiety about the job we were called to do. But, God helped us through it. That was just a preview of the enormous job that we have ahead of us. I truly believe that even though we have anxiety about what we are doing, God is going to take the fear away and He is going to succeed through us. We have all been called to do a special job and that is to share the good news of Jesus Christ to others. No matter where we live and no matter what our income is, we all are to work for God. I am certainly glad we had the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful fellowship last night. Our friends did not go with us last night and today when we shared with them what we did they were saddened at the fact that they chose not to attend.

May God bless you this Labor Day weekend!!

Shelly