December 17: Heading Out

As is usually the case, it’s hard to believe that the last day is here. I start my journey home tonight. I’ll fly to Miami and then to Charlotte for my debrief at SIM. Lord-willing, I’ll land in Cleveland on Friday evening (I’ll be home for Christmas)! Saying good-bye has been tough but incredibly encouraging! I am so thankful to God for all He put in place to make this trip happen and to make it a great experience! The quality relationships that I have gained here is by far the best part. I will miss everyone and this country! “I will return to you again if God wills.” God bless!

December 7: Nice One, God!

Very cool sunset tonight! Praise God for His creativity and beauty!

Also, if you don’t believe me about the “IMF’s” (Invisible Meowing Frogs), here is a video from my neighborhood so you can hear them for yourself – so weird. I definitely thought they were cats for a while until someone enlightened me. I have been told that more compassionate expats have gone to great lengths to “save the poor kittens” only to be very confused. Another example of God's creativity though...and a little humor.

I’m starting my last full week here in Uruguay. I’m looking forward to coming home but don’t want to leave at the same time. I’m looking forward to snow and cold, but don’t want to leave summer. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends, but I don’t want to leave the family and friends here. I’m looking forward to being a student again and Growth Group Leader at Grace College, but I don’t want to stop leading worship at Christ Church, helping to lead the high school group and hanging out with the kids every day at Atrévete a Soñar. I’m looking forward to the Chipotle, Taco Bell and Starbucks...and mom's cooking, but I don’t want to leave the asado, chivitos and dulce de leche!

My chest feels better, tried running on Friday and it didn't hurt, just a little tightness! Please pray that I finish well - with my requirements on the school-side of things and in general! 

Nathan Harley

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

November 29: Thanksgiving & Spider-Man

First of all, Go Bucks!

Jonathan headed home for Guatemala on Wednesday, so I am living alone! I definitely miss the conversation; I’ll probably start talking to myself more. It was great to work and live with him, he was a great blessing and I pray that he finishes seminary well and that God guides him as to where He wants him to serve!

I went with Bill and Linda Parker (they help with worship at Christ Church) out to the country on Thursday for Thanksgiving with some expats! Here are some pics of the beautiful property where we ate and relaxed from our busy schedules. There is a ton to thank God for, so Thanksgiving is a tradition from the US that I can be proud of.

On Friday nights, Bob, April and I (and Jonathan when he was here) have been having the newly formed high school-aged youth group (Club) here at our place. We’ve had some fun times and it’s been great to get to know these high-schoolers! The last couple weeks we’ve been talking about our desire for true justice and how we can tell between right and wrong, so last night we watched Spider-Man on the lawn. Pray for us as we continue the topic next week, discussing how we saw the theme played out in the movie.

Update on my health: I haven’t had sick-symptoms or continual chest pain since last Wednesday, but I noticed when jogging briefly to catch a bus that any running at all brings the pain back. So, unfortunately I still have to take it easy. I’d love your prayers for quick healing, I would love to be close to 100% before I leave!

Nathan Harley

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”

Psalm 95:2-3

November 18: Heart Check

Many of you have heard about and prayed about the chest pains that I started having on Saturday afternoon. Thank you so much! It means a ton that so many people in different places on the globe are all asking for God’s healing for me.

I was in Paysandú, a 5-hour bus ride from Montevideo, visiting the parents (José and María) of Alba who helped me learn some culture and language while I was still in Wooster. The chest pains got bad enough on Sunday that I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. After my first doctor’s visit (thank you María) I started getting extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat and headache. The bus ride back was pretty rough painwise, so when I got back to Montevideo at about 10:30 Sunday night, I was met by Sonia, Jonathan and Pastor John who saw that I got checked out again. The consensus seems to be that it is an infection or inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericardial/heart sac) probably brought on by a virus. Apparently, I just need to take ibuprofen to try to take the swelling down and rest…and God-willing I will be ready to roll and enjoy the last few weeks here in Uruguay.

I can’t say enough about how rapidly prayer for me spread among the body of Christ in the States and Uruguay! I have been treated like family through it, many people sacrificing their time and energy for me. Today, I am still feeling all of the symptoms, but to a lesser extent!

Despite all this, I did have a wonderful time in Paysandú. I enjoyed great conversation, swimming pool, asado and mate! (If you don’t know what the last two are, Google them and then come here and try them).

Nathan Harley

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)

November 7: PTL

It's wild that it is November already! Thanks for your prayers for the fun-fest at the kids program! Praise the Lord for the turnout, the fun and the positive message that kids and parents heard about our Light from Jonathan. 

It's been great getting plugged into Christ Church. It's so much more than Sunday and Wednesday night church here. If there isn't a Bible study or group of some sort that meets every day, on a daily basis people are being cared for and loved by the body of Christ. There isn't any wonder if the Christians here live out their faith in kindness.

As you know, I've had the privilege of leading worship on Sundays in English and Wednesday in Spanish. It's been great to introduce some fresh music and to hear of its impact. Since I can only be here for a short time, it's vital that I leave the best footprint that I can. Please pray as we seek to involve more and more people in worship leading so they can build confidence and experience to continue leading their congregation in praising our Savior!

I've thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this Bible study on Tuesday nights. After talking about different attributes of God throughout the weeks, the leader, Jean Claude, had the creative idea to write a song together to remember the characteristics and accompanying verses! It may be on the Top 40 in a couple weeks!

Nathan Harley

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household."

Ephesians 2:19

October 28: Worship & Halloween

Pastor John was away, so I was given the opportunity to bring the message on Sunday. I talked about how true worship is whole-life worship, focusing on Romans 12:1. Praise God for any impact He made on people’s hearts! Working on it throughout this week has really made me examine my own daily life - am I worshiping God in everything I do?

This Friday, the kids program is having a Halloween alternative fun-fest after normal activity. Right after that, Bob, April (leaders of the middle school-age group at Christ Church and my new neighbors) and I are initiating the new high school group with a “Fall” Kick-Off party. Please pray for a great turn-out for both of these events, excellence as we plan/prepare and that kids, parents and teens would get a great view of Jesus through His followers.

Nathan Harley

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."

Romans 12:1

October 17: Time To Be Tourists

As part of my Intercultural Studies internship with Grace College, there is a list of cultural experiences I am to complete on my semester-long trip. These include things like going to a history museum, an art museum, a government building, a worship center of another religion, etc., in order to give me a better understanding of the culture I am living in. I took the opportunity to check out downtown Montevideo with my multi-national group of friends (Germany, Guatemala and U.S. represented) from the children’s program. Here are some pictures from our afternoon.

Catedral Metropolitana de Montevideo  

 Plaza Independencia

Puerta de la Ciudadela (Gateway of the Citadel)

José Artigas, national hero and founding father of Uruguay

The remains/memorial of Artigas under his statue

Palacio Salvo

Torre Ejecutiva (Executive Tower) where the president works

 Museo Torres García de Arte

My interpretation: So much reading, so little time. Title: "My Life"