Dios Te Bendiga!

I have been here for about 2 weeks and it has been an experience I will never be able to replicate! I am so thankful for the people I have met and the people I will meet later! God places certain people in my life for reasons and the reasons are becoming clearer the longer I am here. I know it has only been 2 weeks, but it feels like I have known my family a lot longer. I mean I have been sick this last week with an upset stomach. I was drinking water from the sink being told that it was fresh water. Clearly it was a mistake, but it left me on the painful side of suffering the consequences of not buying fresh water from across the street at the clinic I work at that is bottled and NO DOUBT fresh and clean! I got to play soccer for the first time in a long time and it was such a great experience. I scored the first goal for our team, but was not able to score anymore because I was then targeted. I really enjoy that two of my brothers love soccer! We sometimes are able to play a little in the house; in the front or back patios depending on who is home ;) I have also really enjoyed going to the church I attend. Amor Viviente. I have connected really well and who ever preaches knows to talk slower because I am in the listening audience and it is easier me to understand when I am spoken to slowly. I also have attended a young persons service. It is held every Wednesday, so I went last night and had a great time. It is a small group of people but I connect well because more than half of them are my family. My clinic experience is becoming more exciting. I am able to do a little more now. I have been able to give away some baby hats to expecting mothers. I have been giving more injections (into the buttocks, which is still weird to me). I have been explained how to interpret an ultrasound. I have been practicing my medical Spanish with my friend Jerry who helps write down the names of people and where they live because they talk way to fast for me now. I take blood pressures and check pulses before they go to have the doctor examine the patients. I am looking forward to understanding the natural, fast pace of the spoken language here. I know God is with me and is helping me to become more knowledgeable everyday. I got to sit in and help the gynecologist last Saturday! It was such a good experience! I actually know how to do a pap smear! She helped guide my hand at times, but seriously, who ever gets that experience in America?! I have really enjoyed my clinic experience. The thing I want to challenge you this week is to just observe and be thankful. Without cherishing EVERY moment, you miss the things meant to teach you. For example, God answered my prayers that were so small but he has answered big ones too. I prayed for my stomach pains to be gone at certain times and I noticed whenever I was working for his kingdom (at the clinic) the pains were decreased and it was bearable to work comfortably. I consider this a small answer but it has been a huge one in disguise because if I think about it and was in pain at the clinic, it would have been the most miserable thing. I pray for my friend Jerry everyday because he helps to keep me informed on what people are saying and understanding that speaking slowly helps me to better understand. He used to play his music on his phone and played songs that were not necessarily good ones while we worked. I shared that I deleted all my “bad” songs I had on my iPod and computer before I came to Nicaragua and it has helped me to be happy and feel much closer to God because all I listen to now is Christian music. He told me the next day that he prayed to God and felt inclined to delete his bad music! I made an impact! I know that is small and only one person, but now he knows I don’t appreciate the bad music being played around me and respects that and plays only Christian music. I am very thankful! I am able to read my bible while at the clinic sometimes and it has helped me to realize God’s promises he has for us! He gives us joy (1 Thes 5:16-17), guides our paths (Jer 29:11), and makes us whole (Psalms 103: 1-5)! What an awesome God we serve! I want to share with you what promises God has given me: I am fully resourced to do everything God has called me to do and this is found in Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” He also allows me to have nor fear or anxiety. This is found in 2 places for me. The first is Joshua 1:5 “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Also found in Philippians 4:6. You can read that for yourselves, but it allows me to know not to have any fear or anxiety and to trust in God with all my heart. I feel not fear when I ride the bus to and from work and that is one of the first questions people have asked me while adapting to this new culture! They said I am a natural if I am never scared! Why be scared when we have God protecting us?!? I have never been so happy and able to smile at all the things I have experienced. I am so excited to follow God in all I do! It has been a blessing to do this and I thank all of you for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts as I travel. I also ask you to keep considering the church as they are still trying to raise money. It is hard, and I am hoping to make a contribution, but please pray about this and if you feel lead, please contact me: mismiller08@yahoo.com! Hope you all have a great week! Miss my friends and family at home! Some pictures: Me at the Clinic

Me and the doctor at the Clinic!

Name of the clinic and hours!

Empty clinic! Not what it looks like at all! People are crammed on the benches!

The church I go to!

Amanda, Me, and my mentor Claudia.

Old city building that cannot be used anymore because the earthquake of 1972.