That sentence sums up my attempts at speaking Spanish thus far! The language is not coming easily for us. Of course, Greyson and Avery's young minds are picking it up quicker. So not fair! I am studying & practicing and I fumble over my tongue to get out a few words. Our vegetable vendors have a good laugh each day when I try to communicate with them. One day I was trying to ask one of our vegetable vendors for 3 onions. He looked at me and started laughing and then I realized I asked for 3 horses.
Life here is moving along even with the rough spots. You can't get away from problems. The Devil is always trying to stick his evil in wherever he can. Thankfully, I know and believe in the risen Savior that beat the Devil long ago. We have victory in Jesus despite the little battles we face on this earth.
Our ministry on Tuesdays in the villages are going well. The first village always seems to be a challenge, but we know God's Word will not return void. The second village continues to bring joy. The children are becoming more faithful in learning their verses and listening during lesson time. We are starting to know them by name and they are beginning to realize we are going to come back each week. Last week when we arrived and started walking up the hill to the church it was pure pleasure to have 3 of the "tougher" boys fall in behind us. We could hear them practicing their verse for the week. Our prayer is that leaders among these villages will emerge so we can train them to one day take over this ministry.
.JPG)
Avery teaching about "Blind Bartimaeus"
God is opening more doors in the area of learning Nicaraguan Sign Language (NSL). We were introduced to the president of the Deaf association here in Matagalpa. Leily is a Deaf woman that wants to see all the Deaf learn their own language and receive a good education. She tutors young Deaf children and teenagers in the afternoons. She is also giving Avery and I lessons. We look forward to getting to know Leily and the others more AND to see how God will use NSL. My mind has already dreamed up several ideas. :) Now just to wait on God to show the right path!
Isamari, the Deaf child we work with on Thursdays, is doing well also. I can already see so much improvement. She seems to enjoy our visits and tutoring now. We visited her last week again and talked to her parents about possibly allowing her to attend another school. Leily, the Deaf president I spoke about in the above paragraph, teaches at this school. She has 15 other Deaf children she works with each day. I know Isamari would truly benefit by being around peers that communicate her language.
As a family we are continuing to learn how to adjust here. Some days we feel like we have it under control...other days are filled with discouragement. But that is just real life - wherever you live! We are striving to trust in God...wait on Him...pray more...communicate more...and laugh whenever we can!
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
The Perry Gang
Prayer Requests:
*Spanish Learning
*Nicaraguan Sign Language Learning
*Ministry in the villages
*Other possible ministry opportunities - We are asking God to make clear which ones to pursue.
Praise: God is good all the time!
