So its been a while since I’ve updated my blog. I’ve had since last Friday to do it, but I found out on Sunday that I have strep throat, so I’ve opted to sleep every spare minute I can. Anyways- I launched from Atlanta last Sunday, said goodbye to the family, took two shots of penicillin and Solumedrol to both cheeks, winced in agony for about 20 minutes, and headed to Chile. Despite my incessant coughing, the 16 hours of flight time from Atlanta to Santiago (Chile) only felt like 15 hours at the most. Upon arriving, my team and one other not stationed around the capital city adjourned to the bus terminal, where we would embark on a 21 hour bus ride, which actually wasn’t all bad- I topped my high score on Fruit Ninja and was able to download one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart westerns, Bandolero! We finally met our ministry hosts, David Soto and his wife Grecia, who are the sweetest couple you’d ever meet. However, an obstacle arose; they speak no English, and we have no translator. Now I figured my good looks and Southern charm would be among my bigger contributions to team Unwavering, but evidently it is my passable Spanish that makes me a catch.
(Seriously how am I single??)
So that brings me to my first blog shoutout- Thank you Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Guerra, my two high school Spanish teachers. As a result of your tutelage, we have survived thus far! I mean, who knew that Spanish would come in handy in South America?!
Another obstacle presented itself as well; with my team of seven and our two hosts, we needed to seat a table of nine. But they only had eight chairs! What’s to be done?! Fortunately, I am perhaps one of the only racers who sensed the potential for such a dilemma, and PACKED HIS OWN CHAIR! Is it difficult to pack? Yes. Does it add 2.5 unnecessary pounds to my pack? Yes. Was I mocked for packing such an extraneous object? Yes. Did I have to flirt with the cashier at Academy for a discount? Yes. But does it give us just enough chairs for my entire team and our hosts? Why yes- yes it does. So ha, ha, and ha to those who jest.
Now back to Chile- my team (Unwavering) and another (Panda Rangers- ????) have traveled north to the region of Antofagasta, in the middle of the Atacama desert (which technically receives less annual rainfall than the Sahara). My team will be in the small port city of Tocopilla until our squad reunites to go to Argentina next month. Behind me sits the Pacific Ocean, and in front of me sits the foothills of the Andes. Tall, desolate, and without even the faintest hint of vegetation, these mountains are the subject of several mineral mining operations. The people are friendly, and the town is gorgeous. We’ve had the past two days to explore, since David and Grecia were both called to the city of Antofagasta. We went down to the beach, and bought some magdalenas (cupcakes) to celebrate mi amigo Tim’s birthday. He turns 30 today, which makes ours the most age-diverse team currently on the Race. I of course am the youngest. Story of my life.
God has provided. My throat is healing, we have hot water, a roof over our heads, internet access, Chilean pesos, and a pharmacy right down the street. Unfortunately, we don’t start our actual ministry until tomorrow, when David and Grecia return. We’re told we’ll be working with children, which we’re all excited about. But any and all apprehension I may have had during the journey to Tocopilla, where I asked myself “What the heck am I doing here?”, “Why did I sign up for this?”, has disappeared.
My biggest fear for this trip has been that I might miss what God has in store for me for these next 11 months, but during our layover in Houston, our squad leader Hana Beth challenged me to give up that fear, and put my total faith in the Holy Spirit to drown me with its presence. So that’s where I’m at now.
I’m still observing a social media fast, so forgive me for not responding to any positive feedback you guys might shoot my way on Facebook. Thank you to all who have donated thus far! Catch you on the flippity-flip!
-Matt
PS- I’m using an iPad, and haven’t figured out how to post pics just yet- but they’re coming! So chillax.
