Then and Now

Then:  I moved into a barren apartment, with no curtains, bed, or any kind of storage for my clothes.  
Now:  In my own apartment, with all the necessary amenities,  as well as even some "unnecessary" ones.  My apartment has become a place of refreshment to me, as well as hospitality towards others.

Then:  No Internet.
Now: Still no Internet sometimes... ;-)  Much better, though!  

Then:  No phone or way to communicate with the outside world.  
Now:  Well connected with my friends and family both here and in the States.  Y'all, if you don't have it, get WhatsApp!  We can text!

Then:  Didn't even know how to get to church my first Sunday, and we ended up being 40 minutes late!
Now:  I am happily plugged into church, Sunday school, and a really great Bible study on Monday nights.

Then: Starting to get the hang of my role as Avance Program Coordinator (for more info on what that looks like, see my previous post).
Now:  Feeling much more confident in the role -- and loving it!

Then:  I was six weeks out of my latest surgery and nervous to do too much strenuous activity.
Now:  I was able to be part of a very intense choreography routine over the fall, and also enjoy jumping on my mini trampoline and doing strength training for exercise.  



Some things haven't changed:
I am happy to say that I was able to "hit the ground running" in many ways a year ago.  Because I was familiar with the city and fluent in Spanish, I was able to jump into ministry and life here much faster and with not nearly as steep of a learning curve.  I am also so blessed to have my host family, wonderful fellow staff members, and a community of Mexican friends, as well.  They helped me to avoid the "transition deficit" of missing community that so many experience when moving to a new country and leaving their former support structures behind.  

You all haven't changed, either!!  I am so blessed to have you on my team, supporting me personally and the work that I am doing here!  As I remember the love, prayers, and gifts with which you sent me off last year, I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness.  

I'm looking forward to what God has in store for the upcoming years!  :-)