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