Logistical update: My computer has gone to the great beyond so updates will be further apart but I will find internet cafes whenever possible! Thanks!
A couple weeks ago, 3 of my teammates and I sat in the church we were serving in Uyuni, Bolivia for what we thought was the opening prayer service for a church-wide day of fasting. We assumed that we would probably pray and worship for an hour and then everyone would go home to do the day of fasting on their own.
Surpriiiiise! Not so much.
Outside the church, a large migration-looking truck pulled up. Ya know, the kind you image people are smuggled across borders in. They opened up a side panel in the back of the truck and everyone began loading in. So… apparently we were going somewhere.
The truck proceeded to drive (at least) 45 minutes out into the surrounding desert. It got stuck in the sand – twice – and we had to get out and push. After a somewhat brief and breathless (Uyuni is at about 12,000 feet elevation) walk we arrived at a grass patch with some shade and a breathtaking (literally and figuratively) view of the salt flats to our right, snow capped mountains to our left, and the tiny city of Uyuni nestled in the valley in between.
We spent the day singing, praying, and listening to a visiting pastor give a sermon along with some quiet time for reading the Bible on our own.
As I stood in the truck, hanging onto the overhead bar, riding home In realized something.
This felt….. normal.
Nothing about the days events ignited the twitterpated fancies that I have always experienced while embarking on new adventures. Surely, the turn of events had been unexpected but at this point “expected” is not quite in our vocabulary. Was I adventured out? Was my wonder tank on empty? Oh dear…
I was highly unsettled by this realization and tried to dig down deep and make myself in awe of my present circumstances. But nothing came. And I started to worry that it would never come back. That no matter what everything would just feel ordinary at this point.
Not so.
First of all, as the initial shock cleared and I regained my common sense, I realized that this was not a resignation to ordinary but that I happen to be blessed with an absolutely extraordinary life. And with THAT realization came incredible gratitude.
Secondly, wonder and awe is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Separated from that inspiration we become easily bored and unimpressed. And I can now attest that if you ask for it He will give it you. I frequently find myself being blind-sided with the cognizance of my present circumstances. And let me tell you… it is downright exhilarating.
I do not know if I will ever be able to grasp the immensity of how I have been blessed, but as I still in Santiago, Chile after 10 days camping in the forest doing wildlife relief (more on that later) I vow that I will never stop basking in the iridescent glory of the love of God for me unraveling before me in this unreal story that I have been entrusted with.
