It is wild to think that we have already been here for 1.5
weeks. Some days it feels like we’ve been here for a year, and other days it
feels like we just got here yesterday. We have packed these last 10 days as
full as we can. We have looked at houses and cars galore. We have purchased our
appliances, couches, bed and most of what we need to get started. There is lots
of news, thoughts, lessons to share, so to keep it brief I will employ the
ever-so-boring list form.
1. We
have a house.
Praise God, we have a house. It took us a while, and was a
much more difficult decision than we previously thought. We are in a house that
is secure, probably a bit big for us, but only 15 minutes from Potters House.
2. We
have a car.
Anyone who has bought a used care understands the risk. Even
more, buying a used car in Latin America…well you don’t really know what you’re
getting. We had a mechanic look it over, and are really hoping that it will
last us a long time.
3. We
will make mistakes.
What has become clear is that every missionary makes
mistakes. We have already made lots of them. We seem to find more of the
language mistakes because we already speak Spanish, yet continue to find dialectical differences.
For Example: In some places you can use the word sosten for support. We were talking
about our financial support and I used that word. However, in Guatemala sosten means “bra.” People were just a
little confused that I would speak so openly about the strength of our bra.
We will make much worse mistakes than just language
mistakes. What is beautiful, is that we are learning that it is in the midst of
those mistakes that God uses our honesty, gentleness, and ability to laugh it
off! Even more, it alleviates some of the stereotypes that Americans think they
have all the answers. We, too, are broken vessels that God must fill to use.
We’re cracked clay in the Potter’s hands.
4. VBS
for 2,000 kids
Yes, you read right! This Monday kicks off 4 straight weeks
of VBS at Potters House. They are running about 5 VBS in the morning and 5 in
the evening for the next 4 weeks. They are being hosted in a variety of
community centers, and buildings in the area. I (Justin) am running one (or a handful?) of them.
We would ask that you would pray that God would manifest
Himself powerfully in the lives of these children. There comes a moment where
these kids face the hopelessness of their life situation, yet we know that the
cross of Christ supersedes even the most dire situations. Christ came to
conquer sin and ALL of it’s effects and establish His Kingdom. Christ’s Kingdom
is not concerned with one’s house, clothes, cars, etc., yet the hope of Christ
can be found when those are not present.
It is our prayer that children, this week would learn to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well.”
As the King, Christ, takes root in the heart of these
children, may His Kingdom come in this community.
For His Kingdom,
The Burkholders
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