This week of travel was a week of first time experiences:
My first time having a volcano in my back yard, my first time hiking that volcano, my first time having fried pancakes, my first time tying food up to keep the ants out instead of the bears, my first time seeing pigs in a soccer field, my first time seeing a monkey in the jungle, my first time being afraid I was lost in the jungle, my first time seeing an outdoor waiting room at the free socialist health care clinic, my first time translating a testimony, and my first time seeing someone be saved through a house visit.
It was a week that shaped me. Between the construction on a new church kitchen, a bat in the church service, hiking 8 hours up Madera volcano in the rain, not always feeling well, seeing a three year old girl carrying a machete, and working on our Spanish, we had an interesting week. In this it was wonderful to be able to connect with people on the other side of the island, work with the generous people, and learn more about God an ourselves.
I am learning more patience every day, to be thankful in all situations, the value of communication, the value of a team, and to enjoy sitting in the wind.
Sometimes it will rain on you. Sometimes you won't have all the right words to say in Spanish.
Sometimes you will just want to be able to stop home quick to visit.
In the end, all we can do with the day is to bring God thanks for all his blessings.
