End of the year.

Shining eyes, smiles, laughter. HAPPINESS. The excitement on the last day of school.Yes, the kids are ready for summer (and honestly, I am too!). But here's why I'm excited it's the last day.

Because my students got it.

To see the light of excitement in their eyes when you pass back their final and work from the year, seeing how well they've done-it's an excitement that makes you feel like you could start up the next school year on Monday!
Well... okay maybe not THAT soon.

But it's a pretty amazing thing to see the outcome of what you've attempted to shape through the year. After days where the kids slide down in their seats, close their eyes and throw their head back while saying, "I just don't get it!," to today. Where they see that they actually DID get it. And applied it to life. From days where YOU don't feel like you can do it because the kids are going crazy and you're exhausted and just want a nap (and so much coffee), to today. Where you made it another year and see what they did.

Here's to the 2014-2015 school year! Great job kiddos :) Proud of you!

Pictures, Words and Dreams

So for a while I’ve been debating the idea of writing this for a while. I write all the time, I enjoy it. I’ve experienced enough unusual circumstances living in a third world country to write probably 5 books already, but writing books takes much more time than a quick little post about daily life and funny sights.

So, here's how this works. I'm the worst at maintaining a smooth running blog. I can't ever seem to remember when to write or what to write about. Pictures are my go to item that save the day whether by jogging a memory I had nearly forgotten about, or by taking up so much room there isn't any for words. I love pictures, don't get me wrong, I know the whole "a picture tells a thousand words" thing. I'm a photographer for crying out loud! But my goal is to Incorporate more stories, more of what I see captured in words, not colors. Yes, I will still add photos. They will just more as a summary than as the focal point. 

So why not? Here's to a new beginning of a series of blogs that maybe someday will turn themselves into 5 books. Maybe they will be read and passed around more than I ever dreamed of. Who knows! All I know is that, in this moment I hope you're intrigued enough to look for the next entry. So far I've moved myself to a country I stated I'd live in for 6 months (I'm working on 4 and a half years now.)  Learned a new language and a new culture. I’ve celebrated through the ups and praised through the downs. Life in another country is hard. But oh, is it beautiful.

Country and Culture.

I love this country and the people that fill it. I love that God called me here 4 years ago for 6 months, and that I'm still here 4 years later. Sure, I miss 'home' at times. But this is home. Yes, I miss things like a quick run to Wal-Mart or to the grocery store...without needing to factor in traffic time. I miss the seasons. I miss seeing my friends, and now their littles growing up. And yes, I miss eating food without at times wondering what is actually in it or what I've just bought.
 But living here is beautiful.

I've grown, I've learned to live life in another country. Learned a new culture, language and how to cook new food. I've grown to recognize the constant noise and music around as soothing and find it quite odd when I'm somewhere that is filled with silence. I have seen lives changes for Jesus and seen kids seek after him fully. I've seen him be rejected. I've watched as communities come around one another in times of hurt and need. I've seen teens grow in their love for God in a culture that doesn't deem him worthy. I've experienced the joy found by those who live in utter poverty. Which may seem confusing, but that's a story for another post. I've listened to humble prayers offered out of pure awe and seen God move in ways that are just hard to fathom-still. 

I've seen the hand of my Savior at work in my own life because even when it seems impossible to take the next step, somehow I do and what He does always blows me away.

We're learning about prayer right now in class. Teaching 13 year olds about prayer and communicating with God is just about as convicting and challenging as it sounds. How do you teach a group of 16 7th graders to pray in faith when you yourself at times find yourself lacking that very thing and just uttering the words out of habit? How do you teach them the importance of communicating with your Savior when, I hate to say it, you make yourself so busy that you forget to take time and just talk with Him.

This has been a challenge.

Through 4 years of living here though I have learned this. Prayer works. Even in our doubt, or when we put limits on God. He hears. He works. Sure, not always the way that we want him to, but He does. He won't always answer how we expect Him to, but He will answer-and in a way that is so much better for us than we could have ever imagined.

Subbing, prayer, and provision.

This week I am subbing in another Bible class to help a coworker who is in the States currently. Middle school, early morning and not enough coffee tend to sit a little on the rough side for me. This is my first year in middle school. And on top of that, after deciding to be an awesome sub-I prepared the WRONG lesson leaving me about 30 minutes to put together the correct one! I felt unprepared, but I prayed and asked God to use me, my words and to let Him be glorified.

Our lesson on Tuesday was prayer, and how one of the key factors of prayer is praying with faith.After reading through an awesome story of how God had answered a prayer and being honest with the kids in our discussion of whether or not when something big comes we trust God to have the power to fix it. Do we believe really that He IS limitless and will take care of it how He sees fit?

 What I didn't know, was that on Tuesday after I finisehd teaching my lesson, I would return to my office to find out that I needed to pay $200 extra from my budget this month on car insurance by next week, on top of losing a piano student. On top of this, a 4 day trip to the States next month and still having no way of knowing how I was to get there.

 Needless to say, I quickly found myself slipping into a state of worry. I texted Rob who reminded me right off what I had just taught the kids about, and how the first thing that I needed to do was to go to God in prayer and remember that it is He who provides. It was definitely easier said than done, but I did it. I wrote out my prayer in my journal so that WHEN God answered my prayer, I would have proof always to remind myself of His faithfulness. I finished praying and felt peace flood through me, and I felt the prompt to not check my account until Thursday, today. I pushed it from my mind, and whenever it resurfaced, I surrendered it to God. This was a daily battle. Life on the field, depending on the support of those elsewhere to aid you in daily life, trusting that God will touch hearts and each month He will provide..it's hard! Anyways, this morning after finishing up our worship practice, I remembered that it was Thursday and that today was the day I was to check my account after feeling the Holy Spirit prompting me to not check it. I was walking up the stairs when I remembered, so I quickly hurried into my office and opened my account. God had provided a small portion of what I need for the month, but enough for the next few weeks.

What a HUGE reminder of how important my faith in God and his power is, and what an amazing answer to prayer.

Thank you to all of my prayer warriors out there! I appreciate and pray for all of you!

² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Shepherds and a baby.

So, it's Christmas. Well not techinically THE day yet, but close enough. I was able to go to the States for a few weeks just a short while ago and both there and here, when I look around all I see is pretty decorations and people. Lots and lots of people. Shopping, decorating, and more people. I see the consumer side of this holiday taking over the true meaning of this holiday, which is the celebration of the birth of a baby, who was born in a manger, with some of his first guests being shepherds. This is my favorite. 

8 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

I wonder how the shepherds felt. They weren't just in the fields by chance, nope. They were living there. And shepherds take care of sheep day in and day out. So they probably, I'd assume, were a little smelly, a little unkempt, and filled with quite a bit of shock. Ok, they were terrified. I mean, wouldn't you be too? Sitting around, guarding your sheep, making sure that nothing happens to them and *hallelujah* brilliant light. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. But without reason because our Savior was born! So what did they do? They ran to find Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And find Him they did! They told everyone what they had seen! They had seen the Messiah, born in a way no one expected. Born in a way that people didn't believe possible. So they kept searching for what was right there in front of them. But the shephereds knew. They knew this tiny baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger, whose birth the angels announced...he was the King. The Lord. Emmanuel. God, in the form of a tiny baby, here to save us. 

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the Highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.

Let's remember the real reason we celebrate this day. It's not about cookies and presents, but about the joy, grace, mercy, peace and hope that we have received through the greatest present of all, Jesus. 

 

Who I am and What I do!

 GREETINGS!

My name is Abigayle Wilson and I am a member of New England Bible Church and am an independent missionary in the country of Guatemala. I was born and raised in New Hampshire and moved to Guatemala in 2010 to volunteer at a Christian school expecting to be there for no longer than six months. Three years later, I am here to tell you that my plans were changed, and that God’s plan for me was to live and serve Him here!

A few of the things that I do here consist of:

-Teaching at the Christian Academy of Guatemala (in the Music and Bible departments). I teach Bible to the 7^th grade, Middle School Photography, Worship team and Discipleship. CAG is a community that is about one-third Guatemala, one-third American and one-third Korean. Several of the students are brought to Guatemala without choice because this is where their parents have either been called to serve or they brought their businesses here, and many of them struggle with that reality. My desire is to come along side of these kids and overwhelm them with the love of Christ, be with them through the ups and downs of being an MK or a child of a business family, to invest in their lives, and to be there for them as a “big sister”/mentor. I also am beginning to help out in our counseling department and am meeting with the high school girls once a month in awareness groups that a friend is heading up.

-Serving as a volunteer for my church here, Journey Church Guatemala. I serve there in the Big Student Ministries which is a ministry that we provide for our middle school and high school aged students in our church and community. Living here after living in a different country can be a challenge, especially when it comes down to the social life of a teenager. Imagine never being able to drive, walk or go anywhere alone. Not being able to just go to the mall or movies to hang out unless a parent or adult is with you. It may seem a little extreme, but that is the reality of living a teenage life here. BSM allows for the students to come to a safe place to hang out with friends, learn about God and to grow together once a week. We have fun activities for the kids and desire for them to live big for God!

-Connecting with the people. The missionary kids have a big spot in my heart, but so do the people of Guatemala! My goal is to overwhelm them with the love of Christ, to connect them with the truth and to encourage them in their personal walks with God. I have been given the opportunity to translate for some teams as well as to travel to a few villages close by and to minister to different people. It an amazing thing being able to connect people with THE Truth!

I would like to ask that you join me in prayer for the people that I come in contact with daily and that I would be a light for Jesus in a dark world! Also, I would like for you to prayerfully consider partnering with my ministry here financially this year. I have a need of $1,000 a month-that’s 20 people at $50 a month! If you feel led to partner with me in this way donations may be sent to:

Attn. A. Wilson

New England Bible Church

60 Chandler Rd.

Andover, MA

01810

A few other things I am in need of if you want to participate in one time giving are things such as plane tickets and a new car. My car has recently decided that it does not like to work anymore which makes it very difficult to be able to work efficiently. Plane tickets are so that I can have the opportunity to return to the States and meet with you all one on one as well as with other churches.

If you feel led to give as either a one-time gift or to become a monthly supporter, please let me know! 

I am so thankful and grateful for any amount you feel led to give! Currently I am at $200 a month which is well below what a single missionary needs to live here! I ask that you would prayerfully consider joining me in this!

If you have more questions about what I do here or would like more information here’s how you can contact me:

Email: abbyjoyw@yahoo.com

Facebook: Abby Wilson

Mailing address:

A.Wilson c/o Knudsen

P.O. Box 413

Chester, NH

03036

Thank you for taking time to read this letter and I pray that you have a wonderful 

 rest of the year!

Abigayle J. Wilson