Training started 2 days early!

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.   Phil 4:11-13

The Apostle Paul experienced life. Life didn’t happen to him. Paul ‘learned’ to praise God in the midst of hardship. He didn’t sit in a classroom where he was preached at, but he actively engaged his being and spirit in the ‘school of life’. 

In the classroom, theory prevails. In the ‘school of life’, experience is the teacher. And in the scheme of living, The World Race is a doozy…depending on your ATTITUDE and PERSPECTIVE. 

On Sat. (28^th), the July squad re-united in the Miami airport. That night we camped out in the airport – card playing, talking, sleeping and getting that last cup of Dunkin Donut coffee. By 5:30am Sunday morning, we began checking into our flight to Mexico City. From Mexico City, 3 of us flew to Cancun before the others, but we all met up around 6pm Sunday evening. Check – everyone safe and sound in Mexico with their bags (some bags were late, but we’ll take that over never!)

Not only did I have a surprise for the squad, but the squad had a surprise for me. While I was about to announce “Go. You now get to race to Palenque!”, the team leaders approached me, “Umm, we are not able to get any team money out of the ATM. Only one debit card out of 6 works.” After trying all the cards again in different ATM’s, we soon realized plan B might have to kick into gear: How are we going to get to Palenque (roughly a 12 hour bus ride away) with out much money? Lesson in problem solving.

We quickly agree that it might be better if the ‘race’ was dropped at this time. Resources were pooled, tasks divided and prayers said. Lesson on unity. Long story short, there were 19 seats left on the buses that were heading towards Palenque that night. Turns out, that was the exact amount of money we had collected so far. So, 19 of us headed out while the other 12 were going to catch the earliest bus the following morning. Lesson in flexibility.

 We were making progress. Then, half an hour from Palenque, on Monday morning, the bus that was carrying 19 of us broke down due to a loss of air pressure. Lesson in patience. Even if we were to catch another ride into town, our luggage would still be locked under the bus (doors ran on air pressure). After 2 ½ hours, three of us got a lift  into town so we could let our contacts know that we were on our way. Lesson in trust.

 

 

By that afternoon, all 19 of us were safely ‘home’ and the other 12 were in route. By six o’clock tues. morning we were all safe and sound at Shekinah Ministry Training School. 

Problem solving. Unity. Flexibility. Patience. Trust. All key players in how we approach the challenges life throws our way. I pray that as a squad we continue to see obstacles as opportunities to grow in our faith and in unity. And just like Paul, that we would have the proper perspective and try to see problems as lessons and blessings – that we would continue to seek his face and praise his name in the midst of hardships.

Do you feel the world is treating you well? If your attitude toward the world is excellent, you will receive excellent results. If you feel so-so about the world, your response from that world will be average. Fell badly about your world and you will seem to have only negative feedback from life.   – John Maxwell