Stretch

What a long, exhausting day it's been. Our trip officially started last night, February 3, at 9:00pm. The group along with friends and family met up at the church to make the final preparations, load the bus, pray and say farewell. Then our journey began.

  

A few highlights from the trip so far…

Annie judging if she could be
considered a carry on. I think she'll fit!

… As we approached the airport, the vision of the road crews removing the 20+ inches of snow that engulfed Chicago just a couple days ago was incredible.

… Mc Donald’s being open at 4:30am!

… Mechanical issues with our plane caused us to only have 20 minutes to make our connection in Ft Lauderdale. Thank God the gates were right next to each other.

Customs

… Beautiful weather down in Cartagena! When we landed, the temps were mid 80’s. It’s a little humid but it pales in comparison to the mid 8’s we have back home!

Our rockin' awesome bus for the day!

…Smooth customs process. All action packers and luggage arrived and cleared customs without much hassle!

… Lunch at 4:30pm at… you guessed it. McDonalds! We needed something quick because we had to zip over to get the clinic set up before it got too dark and the golden arches were just around the corner.

Scientifically sorting
vitamines for easier
distribution

… Initial clinic set-up at the school went very well. Each area had curtains already hung and the workers at the school were trying to hang fans in each operatory to help with air circulation. The school had an armed guard wandering around while we were setting up. I asked if this was common and was told that many places of business will have an armed guard on the premises.  

… Dinner at 8:00pm followed by a little pharmacy duty; a group got together to pre-measure vitamins. The pharmacy is an area that can get easily backed-up so any advanced planning and preparation to help that unit run more efficiently is worth the time and effort.

As I think of our time down here in Colombia, the word STRETCH comes to mind. If you look up the dictionary definition to stretch, you’ll find the following:

1: to extend

2: to reach out

That’s exactly what we are doing down here. First we are extending our selves. For some of us, the long days of interaction and treatment for the situations that cross our path cause us to extend physically. For others, we are extending ourselves mentally… maybe the task you are being asked to perform is something you’ve never done before. Will you be effective?

Second we are stretching ourselves spiritually by reaching out and showing God’s love to a people who may or may not know He exists. They may or may not know He cares for each and every one of us and He paid the ultimate sacrifice by sending His only Son to die in order for us to receive eternal salvation! How great is our God!

But this stretching comes with a great benefit… when we STRETCH, we also GROW… grow in our love for another culture, grow in our friendship with our fellow teammates, and grow in our love for the Lord.

Prayer requests:

Pray that we have humility and work as a team

Pray that God brings people to our door

Pray that the eyes, ears, and hearts of the Colombian people be open to love of Christ.