Thursday May 21st, 2015: Mexico Adventures & Lessons Part I

Devotions

I’m so excited to be in Mexico! My sister, Rachel, has lived in Puerto Escondido since August and I’m so glad I finally get to meet all the people she has met here, see the beautiful town, and see what God is doing in the ministry she is working with!

 We left Dallas Monday morning and when we got to Mexico City we learned our flight had been delayed (even though the board read on time). In case anyone was wondering, the Mexico City Airport isn’t very functional and the communication isn’t the greatest. Then when we finally got to our destination, I learned that they lost my bag… I was super bummed. I’ve never had issues while flying. Ever. I guess my luck just ran out. But don’t worry, the airline people were really nice and knew pretty good English so it all got worked out. I was supposed to get my bag on Tuesday but then it got pushed back to Wednesday (in typical Mexico fashion.)

I am so used to America that this situation made no sense to me. In America, when you lose your bag you file a report and there’s a procedure to be followed. In Mexico when you loose your bag you get the airline attendants number and work it out (literally.)

The common idea that’s been popping up is this: This place is so much different than what I’m used to.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1: 2-4 NLT

I’m kinda a diva (I’ve just come to accept this) and Mexico does not accept Divas. Okay well maybe they do, just not this diva. I’ve been trying VERY hard to adjust my attitude since I’ve been here. I’m trying to put away all my expectations of how I live back home. I’m trying to remind myself that roaches aren’t that gross (this ones hard). I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t NEED air condition. I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t need to fix my hair and do my makeup every morning. It’s hard, but when you’re forced to just accept all these things, ya kinda have to, or else you won’t have fun and embrace all that God has to offer for you.

I am a very type A person. I love organization, order, and schedule. Dirty, messy, and chaos are not adjectives that describe me. I realize that while those traits can be great, they often hinder me from not only having more fun but more importantly, following God’s will for my life.

As a Christian, God wants us to have fun! His will comes first, but who says following God can’t be fun? So today remember to HAVE FUN! Go with the flow! Following God is the furthest thing from boring.

My challenge for you today is to take what you would normally consider “troubles” and turn them into joy. Turn your test of faith, into a chance to grow. But most importantly just have fun! Live in the moment. Trust God. 

Have some fun!

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.” Ecclesiastes 8:15 NLT

I’ll be sharing more about my experiences in Mexico so stay tuned!

To see behind the scenes of my Mexico adventures, follow me on Snapchat at hannahhmooree 🙂

Always, Hannah

 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Tuesday August 19th, 2014: Global Education Ministries

Devotions

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m sharing something very dear to my heart. Some of you may know my sister, Rachel. Rachel moved to Wilmington, North Carolina two years ago broken, away from God, and utterly hopeless. Shortly after arriving to Wilmington she fell in love with Jesus. Over the past two years it has been a joy to see her grow in the Lord.

rach and i

In July she graduated from The University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Communication Studies with a focus in video production. When she started to think and pray about her future after college she felt God calling her to Puerto Escondido, Mexico. So August 1st, 2014 she left North Carolina for Puerto Escondido, Mexico. While she is there she will be teaching Kindergarten and producing videos for Global Education Ministries.

GEM Logo

Global Education Ministries (G.E.M) is an educational ministry organization located in Oaxaca, Mexico in the costal town of Puerto Escondido. G.E.M has started an English immersion private school called Centro Educativo el Manantial. Centro Educativo el Manantial has begun as a Pre K-5 school and will grow to become a PreK-12 school. The school provides quality education, but it is primarily an instrument used to share the gospel and Christ’s love with the children and their families.

So my purpose in sharing all of this with you today is to ask you to pray with me. Tomorrow is the first day for Centro Educativo el Manantial and I would love to begin praying for the sweet kids who will walk through those doors tomorrow. Please pray for my sister Rachel as well as the other teachers and missionaries. Pray that there would be no language barrier. Pray that the kids would be able to feel God’s love through this school. Pray that the Puerto Escondido community would feel God’s love through this school. Also pray for protection of the campus, teachers and missionaries, and the children and families.

Rachel sent me these specific things to pray about as well:

1. That God would give her wisdom to be a teacher- which is totally new to her.

2. That sharing the gospel would be first and teaching the children second. Their salvation is way more important than education.

3. That He would give Rachel joy in being a teacher. Writing lesson plans isn’t incredibly fun as of now, but pray that he gives her enjoyment in that.

4. That she would continue to love the culture and not miss home so much.

5. Praise: She has already found a church body, a woman’s Bible study, sweet sisters in Christ to live with, and great brothers and sisters that she gets to work with at school everyday.

God is good!

GEM group

Last Years Class

Thank you so much in advance for praying for my sister and Global Education Ministries.

To find out more info on Global Education Ministries like their Facebook page or check out their website!