In His Care

I could tell you the logistics of the 24 hour trip that carried me from Akron, PA to Santa Cruz, Boliva but I’ve never thought stats and facts are very interesting. Overnight flights are never any fun and this one was no different. However, that doesn’t mean that interesting thing didn’t happen!

Shortly before our flight left Miami, I noticed an older Latino gentleman sitting behind us reading a Spanish book about the power of the Holy Spirit. Not only did I notice him, but I kept noticing him and had a pressing feeling like I ought to go talk to him. I didn’t at first, because you don’t do things like that in an airport, especially when the chances of the two of us speaking the same language are slim. But, in spite of the fact that there were tons of people around and that I don’t like going up and talking to strangers, I keep feeling that I really ought to talk to him.

So I walked over and between my Spanish and his English we were able to piece together a conversation. It turns out that he is a pastor in La Paz, Bolivia. He was very interested in the work that we were going to be doing in Bolivia. He gave me his card, made sure I knew about a sister church they have here in Santa Cruz, and told me if we were in La Paz, to let him know and his church would take care of us.

We stopped in La Paz during our flight to let people off and pick up more before continuing on to Santa Cruz. While we were waiting, I started talking to another older gentleman who was sitting behind us. Turns out he and his family used to be missionaries in Argentina and he is now a pastor in Dallas. He was on his way to Santa Cruz to visit his son who is living here and playing semi-professional soccer. His son is living with a pastor of a nondenominational church here in Santa Cruz. Before he got off the plane, he gave me the name of his son, the church and the pastor so we can connect with them.

One of my fears before I left was meeting new people here in Santa Cruz. I am so amazed how God provided for me, even before I got off the plane. Once again, I am reminded how I am completely and always in his care.

Prayers:

We leave on an over night bus tomorrow for Cochabamba, Bolivia for three weeks of language lessons. Please pray for safe travel and quick learning, my Spanish is as rusty as my Dad's old pickup.

Heading Out

Here we are! All 91 SALT and IVEPers preparing to give a 

year of service all over the world

Its hard to believe that I'm already packing my bags again. During my week of training and orientation in Akron, Pennsylvania, I've learned about other cultures, international service and how to live a life that promotes peace. I've been amazed at how quickly a group of strangers from all over the world can become friends and create an international church of believers, however temporary it may be.

I'll be leaving Akron at 8:00 tomorrow morning and won't get to Santa Cruz, Bolivia until 7:00 am. Saturday (don't be fooled, I'm not complaining in the least. The people who are going to some places in Africa while be traveling much, much longer.)

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I couldn't be here without all of you.

Prayer requests:
Safe travel for all of the SALTers and IVEPers
Quick language acquisition
Quick recovery from the inevitable sleep depravation
Peace as I leave everything I know behind

The World is Sitting Next to Me

Isaiah 24:14-16 (NIV)

 They raise their voices, they shout for joy;

   from the west they acclaim the LORD’s majesty.

Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD;

   exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel,

   in the islands of the sea.

From the ends of the earth we hear singing:

   “Glory to the Righteous One.”

            You may have already noticed this, but I don’t actually have a whole lot of details about what I’m getting myself into. Before I left, I was asked many questions to which I could only answer, “I don’t know”.

            I’ve been at the MCC eastern headquarters in Akron, PA for almost five days now and am so glad I didn’t come in with any preconceived ideas. I was expecting a sort of camp with people from all over the states getting ready to spend a year abroad. I had no idea that a quarter of the SALTers would be Canadian and half the participants at orientation would be international.  Meal conversations are a wonderful mixture of accents and languages from Alabama, California, Ontario, and Kansas, to Laos, Brazil, Germany, Lesotho, Korea, and Zimbabwe. We can easily sing in five languages in a single worship session.

            I’m so thankful for this time. I’ve been able to practice my Spanish with my new Paraguayan friends and have been trying to use a mixture of Portuguese and English to talk with the Brazilians. I’ve met people who have never seen snow and who are wearing wool jackets in the 60-degree weather we’ve been having. I have been inspired by the people here who, like me, want to see more of the world and make a difference. The only problem is, my o’s keep getting longer and longer the more I talk to the Canadians. I’m afraid by the time I leave, I’m going to be ending all my sentences with “ay’.