El Examen (The Test)

Hola familia y amigos!

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I hope that all is well. It rained from 2 pm on today, but the beginning of the day was amazing weather. Carol and I started our day with Iglesia down the road. The sermon was a blessing. It was all about the difference between ignorance and apathy. In the end, God is not going to hold us accountable for what we didn't know, but for what we didn't want to, or CHOSE, not to know. We can't always use the excuse, "Ay, no sabia, lo siento, no sabia" (Oh I didn't know, it's not my fault, I didn't know). It's that we didn't CARE to know. And that is what it is all about. We can't just walk the walk, and talk the talk; we have to be living in the Word daily. It is not enough to only be "una persona buena" and hope that others see the light of Jesucristo in you. Yeah, sure, maybe some will see that and be saved. But why depend on that small chance? We need not have our own opinions. Our opinions are only those of Christ. Just as the opinions of Jesus were not his own--they were of His Father in Heaven. This really spoke to me and exactly what I am having a hard time with right now. I know what I believe, and I know how I want to live my life... but it's a matter of whether or not I take the time to indulge myself in all that God has to offer me. There is no lack of information only a lack of initiative. Now the only question left is... do I accept the challenge? Or will I fail the test?

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I love church down here because everyone is always so passionate and full of energy. They do not go to church here like it is a chore. They go because they have the desire. It's a beautiful thing to see.

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After church, Carol and I took care of some stuff for the team that is coming next week, and then we went out to lunch. After that, we rested and watched the end of the soccer final. Go Espana! Which reminds me...my friend, Sophie, who lives across the street, took me to La Canoa, a sports bar, and we watched the game between Uruguay and Alemania (Germany) yesterday. Every one had so much energy. Then today, while the final was on, the streets were empty and you could hear the buzz of the stadium in South Africa resonating off every stone building we walked by.

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As for the title of my post (and the challenge I mentioned above), I was doing some reading in 2 Corinthians two nights ago, and came across a verse that really hit me. I also thought it went along well with the sermon today.

I thought this translation really said it the best... 2 Corinthians 13:5-6:

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Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. I hope the test won't show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours. We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn't possibly do otherwise.

Examínense para ver si están en la fe; pruébense a sí mismos. ¿No se dan cuenta de que Cristo Jesús está en ustedes? ¡A menos que fracasen en la prueba! Espero que reconozcan que nosotros no hemos fracasado.

I should go to sleep now because, God willing, we will make it out to the village tomorrow! Can't wait to get started with my classes. Again I ask for your prayers, and for the hand of God to guide me in everything that I do.

Que tengan una semana buena, y buenas noches,

Stephanie