He Turned It Around

Okay, let me just start out by saying that today ended up to be an amazing first day to our "Misión en Colombia" (Spanish for Mission in Colombia). I can truthfully say that the Devil attempted to wriggle his way into our midst today. After a yummy breakfast (with really good jelly), some time outside (being blinded by the sun), and a big big lunch, John decided to head back to the hotel with Tim (who had to preach today) because he was feeling very carsick. That alone was a little upsetting. Another thing that was upsetting was that poor Cory got altitude sickness and ended up going back also, causing us to lose our Jesus and our sound guy for the drama.

However, once we got to the site (a camp for kids in a city named Cota about an hour from Bogota), God took charge for us. :) The children were wonderful. We danced with them, we sang with them, and I got to pick the toys for two girls that I felt compelled to. The one (who had hardly smiled the whole time) couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear. It was beautiful. :)

Another blessing from God came not from a child, but from the woman whose home we were while at the site. Her name was Norma, and she and Jess and I really connected with her. She is an artist! She showed us her paintings, and they were absolutely beautiful! The one took her eight years to paint! I felt so connected to her because we both had a passion for painting. We even did pretty well understanding each other although she only spoke a little English and me and Jess not very good Spanish. I got a lot of chances to practice my Espanol today! Then she introduced us to her daughter Andrea, who spoke English because she is studying to be a cardiologist! We all had a really wonderful conversation with her. Norma even asked Jess and me to stay with them for the week! How sweet! (However, we are not staying with them. Haha.)

We just got back from a completely amazing praise and worship meeting. Cory and Janine played some awesome guitar (plus some beautiful singing from Janine). One song we sang spoke to me especially. It was called "Give Me Your Eyes," and it was extremely appropriate. During it, God revealed to me something really cool: He coordinated this trip for us a long time ago. He set everyone on this team for a specific purpose because of the special and completely unique talents that He placed on the inside of us. This team would not be the same without even one of it's members. That's amazing! I was moved to tears during the worship.

All in all, today was an utterly amazing day. And it was only the start to a life changing week. For everyone.