Life after the storm

Right after our last posts Morgan and I left for a mission meeting in Ecuador, Quito. The meeting was great, we were able to think and analyze our ministry so far plus we were able to meet and hang out with other Journeymen and share our experiences with them. Ecuador was a great place to visit. We went to the middle of the world and got to stand in two hemispheres at the same time. We also got to appreciate Ecuador's significantly lower cost of living, I don't think I've ever enjoyed shopping so much =) Morgan and I felt blessed to be able to travel to another country to learn how to do our jobs better. Plus, it was a nice break from our summer program. We left our summer volunteers in Valencia under the protection of their hosts families and the students. We felt like the volunteers really blossomed in the ministry here when we weren't there to get in their way.
It seems like every post we talk about how crazy life has been here for us in Venezuela. And its true, we rarely stop, university students are always up for whatever is next to do. About a week and a half ago, our Nexo summer program ended. The last month of the program went well. About two weeks before the end of it, we had an English camp. We took 28 students to our beach house for the weekend where we did many American activities from watching movies to eating s'mores. The weekend ended with a Sunday morning worship service where everyone in attendance was able to hear the truth of salvation in Christ. We had a blast with the Nexo program, there were students in our house it felt like 24/7. The program was successful not only for the fact that it was fun, but more so for the fact that it opened doors to the hearts of more students. We hope to keep those students involved in our ministry here throughout the year.
Once Morgan and I came home from taking the summer volunteers home, we were exhausted and I believe all the students involved were too. But now after almost two weeks of regular nights of sleep and many Friends episodes I believe we have recovered! And not a minute too late...this week is the first week of classes at the university. I started my first class in American Civilization on Monday and Morgan started her classes in Oral on Wednesday. I will be teaching every Monday afternoon and Morgan will be teaching every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. I am teaching all the third semester students and Morgan is teaching all the second semester students. We also have an unique opportunity this semester. All first semester students in the language department are required to take a class on Spanish grammar. Their theory is that if someone doesn't understand their own language they will never be able to learn another. Morgan and I always feel like our Spanish grammar could use a a lot of improvement; therefore, we are going to be attending one of the first semester grammar classes. So, now we have contact with three semesters of students! What an opportunity!
Our weeks are pretty full with English classes and meeting and eating with people but everything we do is all focused on a bible study on Sunday afternoons. We thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. The students who come are all good friends of ours so of course we enjoy sharing Christ with them. Our goal is to see the bible study form into a healthy church. While we are still lacking in so much, we can see God at work in this group. One thing we are excited about is that we have been able to use two of our students' musical talents to add an element of worship to our study. We will soon be teaching the students what church is supposed to be to help them let go of some of their preconceived ideas of the church.

Hi, it's Morgan now. I can't help but smile now as I read Debbie's update and think about all the amazing experiences from this summer. God brought so many new students into the ministry and gave us the joy of sharing our lives and our faith with them. Thank you so much for your prayers for the ministry here and for the NEXO summer program! God really did bless this summer and all who were involved in it. One of my favorite things about Nexo was watching God draw the Venezuelan students to Himself through the lives of His followers. We were a total of 7 gringos this summer, so obviously wherever we went, we drew a crowd. At the beginning of the summer we talked about our lives being the aroma of Christ and how the way we live and who we live for should look radically different than what people are used to seeing. Every relationship made and every conversation had with students was with the intent to show them the love of Christ; our lives were radically different and the students were drawn to Christ in us. It was great seeing the earthly relationships deepen among us and the students, but above all it was amazing seeing the students begin seeking and pursuing a relationship with the Living God! Please continue to pray for us as we water the seeds that where planted this summer; pray also that God will make them grow! WE love you all and we are so thankful for you!!!!!!!