Not an easy move, but I made it here. It was very hard for me to sell all my possessions, say goodbye to my friends and my church family. New culture, new language, new people to work with, new smells, new heat, new foods. Everything has been new; a New Beginning in Him. I am starting to feel settled in now, but the first couple of weeks weren’t the easiest. Every time I would feel I am going up against something, I would say Lord, you brought me here and you already knew these things were going to happen to me. I have completely learned to trust in Him and giving all my cares back to Him. I haven’t and still don’t move out of the present. If I think a couple of hours forward, I feel it is too much to think about, so I have been staying in the moment. This is where I have been finding my peace in Him.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
There is a great deal to let go and just follow Him. Someone on one of the teams the other day was talking about the season of fall is just around the corner. The four seasons and what each season brings to us all. I thought about it and took my heart straight to heaven. When I get to heaven, the four seasons will be better than currently not being able to experience them here on earth. Our time is temporary here and I am thankful to have sunshine outside, a roof over my heart and I haven’t gone to bed hungry, yet. My heart keeps going to Luke 9:62. I haven’t looked back since I have been here. I have been staying in the moment, living in His peace and thankful how He is working in my heart.
Luke 9:57-62
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
I am starting to get used to the heat a little and sleeping better at night. It is usually hot in the daytime, 90 degrees or so, and much cooler at nighttime. It rains here not every day, but when it does, it’s heavy rain and thunder and lightning. San Jaun is in a valley with mountains all around. When the thunder makes its sound, it rumbles like a rumbling I have never heard before. I love storms! I started driving last week and it feels good to be able to drive the teams to the construction sites and for myself to be able to go out into the community. I have also had a great time meeting and serving all the teams so far. Before I was on the teams being served and now, I am serving the teams. It’s an honor for me to be on this side of the ministry. I have met some great Godly men, and I am looking forward to meeting more!
I also started a blog page on Facebook, “New Beginnings in Him”. Come check me out and I post ministry photos on that page.
Thank you to everyone that supports me and is praying for me! It really means a lot to me.
Nick Buchanan
