The last few days have been a conglomeration of
“firsts.”
–
Project
completed: We are a few windows and
a door away from completing Isabela’s house, but we had the unique opportunity
to basically wrap up a two year project at another church. Years ago, hurricane Stan wrecked parts of
Panajachel. One particular church, which
was near a river, had its foundation swept away from under about a quarter of
the church. For two years men and women
have been hauling up rocks from the river to fill a 30’x10′ hole that was 15
yards deep at the front of the church.
Through the use of pick axes, buckets, singing, and games of
Telephone-my sentence was “Chicken Little ate chocolate on a Chinese choo choo”-we
brought the last amount of rocks needed.
It was humbling to play a small part in such a worthy and lengthy cause.
–
Asked if
I was American, Mexican, or “from Israel” in the same day: Gregorio (from the last blog) questioned if I
was American because he said American’s were big and tall. (If you’ve never met me, make your own
inferences.) Then he asked if I was
“from Israel,” meaning if I was Jewish, because my unkempt hair has started to
curl. Finally, later that day a man on
the street that I was talking to thought I was Mexican.
–
Preaching
in front of a congregation: Mi Reto
just started an English speaking service Sunday morning and our team was in
charge of basically leading the service.
That means that somebody had to preach.
I’m sorry, was given the enviable opportunity to preach. Needless to say, I stepped up, talked about
something that was on my heart, and it didn’t come out nearly as well as I had
hoped. (At one point when talking about
having faith like a child I mentioned that my little brother once said out loud
in a store, “Mom, is that woman pregnant or is she just fat?”) Benjamin, the pastor, was extremely gracious
with our team understanding that we are growing, but it was a learning
experience for us to see what all goes into making sure a service runs
smoothly.
–
Preaching
in front of a Spanish speaking congregation using a translator: Mi Reto also has its regular Spanish speaking
service Sunday night, so my teammates got to hear from me again about faith and
God’s faithfulness for a second time.
(They said it was better organized and more focused the second time.) The rumors are true: It’s great speaking through a translator
because it gives you time to think and then I don’t have to talk nearly as
much. My teammate Will McRae-check out
his blog-did a baller (that means “exceptionally well”) job giving part of his
testimony to compliment my sermon.
–
Going to
three services in a day: There is a coffee
shop ministry located below Mi Reto that also has a Sunday service, and they
extended an invitation for us to attend their 4:00 service. I’m realizing why a Sunday might not be the
best day of rest for a pastor.
–
Being
sick on the World Race…no, not yet.
But I’m keeping my fingers crossed and knocking on every piece of wood I
see. (Three of my teammates didn’t knock
on enough wood apparently.)
