The other day we started learning about our spiritual gifts. we took a test, a verrrry long one, and then talked it over with a partner to see if we had tested ones that we might have. I was surprised to get missionary as my highest one, though I am on a mission trip right now. I was not surprised to get Helps, Service, and Giving in my top ones. Lately I've developed a like for behind the scenes kind of work. Last week, or maybe 2 weeks ago we went to  Guatchupita and dug up dirt to make a floor for a friend of our leader. I raked the dirt around for 2 hours and it was very rewarding. That's the kind of ministry I like to do, and I'm asking  around to see if I could make an internship out of service work for next semester. Teaching english was definitely an experience, but I'd prefer something different. Also, oddly enough, Teaching, Knowledge, and Wisdom, were among the top gifts I tested for. Those are ones I would like to develop more. Studying the bible more to gain more knowledge so I can teach it to others

So that was that. Unfortunately Mercy was among the lowest of the gifts I tested for. But, friday morning I had a chance to develop it. We were playing with the kids during church planting time. There is one girl, maybe 12 years old, named Karina, and she is a tom boy if anything. She's harcore, but she is still a young girl. I was looking for her that day because I had hired her to make some beaded bracelets as christmas presents for my friends back home and I wanted to  see how they were coming along. Karina seemed very quiet and reserved. Like she had been punished or seen something very tragic. I asked her a couple times if she were alright and she shrugged, but didn't offer any information. Later on, Emily started teaching the kids in english, "Open the
eyes of my heart, Lord" and that started a time of teaching them random words in english. Karina really wanted to be involved so she ran home and got her notebook and tried to copy down what we were saying, but she couldn't uderstand it well and got frustrated and gave up. She stood up and  walked away, crinkling the paper she had been writing on and threw it on the ground. I asked her  friend if she knew what were wrong and she didn't really. So I went over and sat behind Karina and  started rubbing her back and singing a song. She sat there drawing angrily, so I just kept playing with her hair and rubbing her back. It was time to go, and she still hadn't responded to me, but I  noticed she had picking up the paper again and was carefully recopying it into her notebook. I asked  to borrow it for a minute and wrote Te quiero, Karina :) - I love you, Karina, :) and gave it back to her. She loked at it and smiled up at me and then gave me a hug. but then it was time to go. Hopefully
I'll get a chance to see her once or twice more before we go home for christmas. Keep Karina in your prayers. I still don't know why she was so upset.
so, 6 days left in the countdown and I'm really excited. thanks for prayers everyone and I"ll see
you all soon!