I’m sitting in downtown Medellin, and there’s a big soccer game on, so I am enjoying watching everyone watch the game. It’s like a big Super Bowl party, except it’s not the same sport, same country, or really the same thing at all, but the camaraderie is reminiscent of the U.S. every February. 🙂 The weather is a breezy 88 degrees, and I just enjoyed some Oreo-flavored gelato. My heart is at peace with God, I have no responsibilities because it’s my off-day, and I have no complaints if you don’t count the perpetually itchy bug bite on the arch of my right foot. It’s a pretty terrible day. 😉
The ministry we’re working with this month runs its own bakery. Every morning, I wake up at 5:30 (I go to bed at 9:30 p.m… who am I??), get ready for the day, and head down for some Colombian coffee with milk and whatever delicious pastry suits my particular fancy while I read/study/pray. The cost for that each day is roughly $0.65. It’s not a bad life.
The weather here is sunny and warm, except for when it rains and cools off in the afternoons. It’s near perfect in my book.
The building we are staying in is kind of like a long corridor with rooms on one side, and a bunch of openings to the outdoors on the other side. Across the hall from our room is a patio area where people store their motorcycles. It has walls, but the ceiling isn’t enclosed… it’s just crossbars. Next to that is a sort-of living space, followed by a kitchen and a perpetually open back door. Across from the kitchen are indoor clothes-lines with the same ceiling as the motorcycles. So, when it rains, it rains inside. Our neighbors include a young lady who is here for 3 years to serve the ministry, a family who serves in the church, and some German missionaries who are in transit. There is constant activity in our building, from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It’s a pretty delightful living space. 🙂
The roof of the church/ministry building is a mini soccer field with a view of the surrounding mountains/buildings. At night, the lights go for miles. You watch the sun set, and see the moon here. It’s beautiful.
This month has been challenging in some areas as I’ve had to uproot some sinful strongholds in my heart, but on days like this, when you’ve made it through the hard days and are walking in obedience, trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty, satisfied in him, the freedom to enjoy the Lord and his goodness brings peace and joy that gives a glimpse of life in the new heaven and new earth when he’ll forever walk with us. 🙂
Psalm 23:1-3 [NET]
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.
He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.
