I’m sitting criss-cross on my bed, next to an open window. The sounds of Santiago fill the room. The brisk Chilean breeze keeps me focused. I need to write this all down. I want to remember every detail.
After two days of air travel, we finally landed at the Santiago airport. Affronted by the cold springtime air, my team searched through a sea of people holding Spanish signs, looking for a familiar name, Iglesia Bautista. “Hola,” our host greeted each of us with a kiss on the cheek. “Hablas Espanol?” Only three of us speak Spanish, and only one fluently. Her mouth dropped when we explained this. “Ayayay! Vamos!” We began following behind when I suddenly had a moment of panic. My sister! “Sarah,” I called to the crowd of World Racers beginning to dissipate. We quickly hugged each other goodbye. “See you soon, sister.” “God be with you!”
We arrive at the bright yellow church, surrounded by homes practically knit together on a tiny road. “Bienvenidos a casa,” said a group of smiling women. “Welcome Home.”
I studied Spanish in both high school and in college. I knew this was the moment, it was now or never. I began a conversation with the women. “What are your names? How long have you been members of the church? Thank you for welcoming us so warmly.” By the grace of God, my basic Spanish comes back to me easily.
They showed us to our rooms, inside the church property. We’re staying in dormitory-style rooms with above ground beds and a personal bathroom to share. My teammates look at each other in awe. God, you are wonderful. You have provided beyond our wildest expectations.
Before we can even take a moment to breathe, we’re ushered into a smaller room of the church. A table, set with yellow bouquets, waits for us, with a tray of desserts, coffee, and tea.
“We are very happy to have you,” says our Pastor. “You are very needed here. The work is abundant. We have work enough for two months if you were staying.” We smile at this. This is the reason we are here. We are all so excited to be the hands and feet of Christ to these people.
He tells us of the next month’s expected workload. We will visit a nursing home and work with the elderly. We’ll prepare activities for the community children in the park. We’ll work with the worship team on Saturdays.And of course, there will be plenty of home visits.
“And tonight,” he says, “You’ll speak in front of the church.”
Dozens of kisses on the cheek greet us as we walk into the evening service. They’ve been waiting for us. “We have been praying for you,” they say. Our hearts are filled with love for these people.
The pastor greets the congregation. “These are the new daughters of the church,” he explains. “Treat them as you would your own family.” He turns on a projector and clicks on a youtube video, “Abre los ojos de mi corazón, Señor.” Loud voices crying out to the Lord soon filled the room. The presence of God descended upon the worship of His people.
We feel so loved. We feel so welcomed. We feel so ready to serve this community.
