One friend is returning to Honduras after visiting her husband in Florida since November. I can't imagine how she feels. I am guessing that part of her is happy to come back to her home and her mother in Honduras. But saying goodbye to her husband must be so difficult!
Also, the team from Ohio/Arizona is traveling back to the US today. I thought about them all day yesterday as they spent their last day serving. And last night as they enjoyed their final night in Honduras. Today as I was cooking, I prayed out loud for them. The Holy Spirit led me to pray for a trip "without hiccups" for them, which I thought was a funny way to pray.
This morning I talked to Erika. Her boyfriend asked me yesterday if I could give him money. Erika never asks for money. I prayed about it overnight and I decided that I do want to help him, but I only wanted to help him in the form of a loan. So we were able to work out a payment plan that is feasible for him, and fine for me. I made it clear to Erika that this loan is between her boyfriend and me. It should never, ever effect my relationship with her.
The last time I gave a loan it was to a person in the US. They didn't pay me a penny. But I decided before I agreed to the loan that if I loan someone money, I need to be okay with never seeing a cent of it.
Erika's boyfriend really does need this money. I liked the fact that he was honest about how he is going to spend it. It is for a good cause, although he might not believe that I would think so. I hope that I can help him. If he doesn't pay me back, I lost $25 and I learned not to lend him money again.
Yesterday I found out that Erika and her "in-laws", as she calls them, have not been able to attend church recently. They had a bus that picked them up and took them to and from the church twice per week. But the bus is not running now.
I also learned that Erika was going to have Marjory baptized in her parents' church. I asked if she really believes the same way her parents believe. She said no, she doesn't. She has never attended her parents' church but her parents really want Marjory to be baptized. I can see both sides.
I prayed about how to approach this topic. I surely don't want to disrespect Erika's family or their religion. At the same time, I wanted Erika to understand all of the facts about baptism from her parents' church's point of view and also from the church she attends viewpoint. I did my very best to be unbiased and without judgement.
Yesterday when we finished talking, it seemed that Marjory would be like me, baptized as a baby before she can really decide for herself. And that is okay. I chose to be baptized again when I accepted Christ as my Savior. That worked out fine for me.
Today I asked Erika what time I should come to the baptism and she told me she is having second thoughts. I told her to let me know. I will support her in any choice she makes. She has not met with a priest yet, so I have a feeling it won't happen this weekend.
In the meantime, for the first time, I feel called to invite her and her "in-laws" to attend my church if they would like. In all of this time, I have never felt like I should push Erika to attend any church service at all.
Just now, as I was writing, I stopped to call and invite Erika and the family to visit my church this weekend. We'll see what happens. She seemed happy and excited. But I do understand that they have their own church. This would just be a visit.
So, I spent part of the morning in prayer, part with Erika and her family, then I came home to cook and clean. I am a crazy nester lately. Maybe because of the cold whether. All I want to do is cook and settle in at home. Today I am making spicy sausage, bean and brown rice soup with lots of veggies.
I hope Erika will come to church with me on Sunday.
Safe travels friends from Ohio! May you and your luggage arrive with no "hiccups".
