My throat closed as I said goodbye to my parents and gave them hugs and kisses. The security check was a breeze and I made it to my gate. I sat down in front of three young women on their way to Hawaii. Our plain arrived, but we were unable to board for an hour, because the electricity went out in the Jackson Airport. We were all excited when we finally got on that plane and were ready to get to Dallas in hopes of making our connecting flights. We rode for nearly forty-five minutes when the pilot came over the speaker and explained that we were being rerouted to Shreveport due to Mechanical issues.
After we landed, I sat in the hall that led to the two gates. As I listened to others exclaiming that they had missed their connections, I cried. I had no clue at what to do except to wait. My heart was so troubled, but I just repeated to the Lord,"You are good." This was reassurance from my God that he would take care of me. After I ate lunch every passenger was given the option to make new connections. so, I waited in line to see what could possibly be done.
The man at the desk made the new connections and said I would have to spend a day and night in Lima. (there are two flights with Lan airlines that go to Tacna from Lima: One in the morning and one in the afternoon) I asked if I could possible try to make it in the hour between when I arrive in Lima and when my original scheduled flight departed. He said that I could try that or just rebook for Thursday morning (a whole 24 hours later. I chose the first option).
All my flights connected well until I made it to Lima. As I arrived at the Lan desk fifteen minutes early, I learned my flight was closed. In tears after waiting in the American Airlines line I learned it was because the connection should have been made to allow me to be there three hours early. So I once again had to book a new ticket for that evening. I was thankful it was not the next morning. I excitedly made it back to the Lan desk and waited another 30 minutes for them to see if I could check two bags for free, which American Airlines had allowed me to do. In the end, I just payed the baggage fee and went to my gate. I waited all day napping, reading, or talking to someone.
I look back and see how God was with me. Never once did He allow me to give up and turn back. He put many people in my path who ministered to me in the most stressful of the moments.
Rick and Shari Young were headed to Cusco, Peru on medical mission to check eyes. I saw them in Dallas, and in Miami Mrs. Shari came up to me and asked if I was part of their group because I seemed to have similar itinerary. In Lima I came across Mrs. Shari again in the Hall and sat at their gate. They listened as I retold the events of my exhausting day with emotion still clouding my voice. They ministered most by just listening, but went the extra mile by paying for part of my breakfast. God is so good!
My first week in Peru has been a challenge. I didn't realize how hard of an adjustment it would be. The Lord brought me to the realization that my entire life has been spent serving myself and that serving others, especially children, is a huge sacrifice. (New appreciation for my momma)
My biggest struggle though was with missing my family. Sunday night we ate well and everyone left after putting the kids to bed. I began to wash dishes and had my break down moment. I thought of how much I wished I could hug my parents goodnight and just cried. I now ask the question, what could the Lord be teaching me in all this? Jesus himself knows exactly how I feel, if not more. Jesus left the very near presence of God to come to earth to love and minister to people. Jesus still talked and had fellowship with his Father, but experienced not being in His very close physical presence. I take great comfort in knowing that even Jesus knows how I feel.
I have also struggled with the language barrier. Though I am encouraged each day at how much everyone says I have learned in just a week, I still cannot say what I wish to say, nor understand what I want to understand. It will come with time I know, but that unholy fear comes up when I am left with the kids alone or think about teaching Sunday school. That fear is not from the Lord! Just this morning my God confirmed to me in devotions not to fear but to seize the day with great courage, for I have the Spirit of God with me at all times. For now the Lord had given me spokes persons(Like He did with Moses).
This place is dry not only geographically but also spiritually. Time and energy runs dry. The desert place is were I want to be. To truly hunger and thirst for the Lord is where I need to be. Jesus knows what He is doing!
After we landed, I sat in the hall that led to the two gates. As I listened to others exclaiming that they had missed their connections, I cried. I had no clue at what to do except to wait. My heart was so troubled, but I just repeated to the Lord,"You are good." This was reassurance from my God that he would take care of me. After I ate lunch every passenger was given the option to make new connections. so, I waited in line to see what could possibly be done.
The man at the desk made the new connections and said I would have to spend a day and night in Lima. (there are two flights with Lan airlines that go to Tacna from Lima: One in the morning and one in the afternoon) I asked if I could possible try to make it in the hour between when I arrive in Lima and when my original scheduled flight departed. He said that I could try that or just rebook for Thursday morning (a whole 24 hours later. I chose the first option).
All my flights connected well until I made it to Lima. As I arrived at the Lan desk fifteen minutes early, I learned my flight was closed. In tears after waiting in the American Airlines line I learned it was because the connection should have been made to allow me to be there three hours early. So I once again had to book a new ticket for that evening. I was thankful it was not the next morning. I excitedly made it back to the Lan desk and waited another 30 minutes for them to see if I could check two bags for free, which American Airlines had allowed me to do. In the end, I just payed the baggage fee and went to my gate. I waited all day napping, reading, or talking to someone.
I look back and see how God was with me. Never once did He allow me to give up and turn back. He put many people in my path who ministered to me in the most stressful of the moments.
Rick and Shari Young were headed to Cusco, Peru on medical mission to check eyes. I saw them in Dallas, and in Miami Mrs. Shari came up to me and asked if I was part of their group because I seemed to have similar itinerary. In Lima I came across Mrs. Shari again in the Hall and sat at their gate. They listened as I retold the events of my exhausting day with emotion still clouding my voice. They ministered most by just listening, but went the extra mile by paying for part of my breakfast. God is so good!
My first week in Peru has been a challenge. I didn't realize how hard of an adjustment it would be. The Lord brought me to the realization that my entire life has been spent serving myself and that serving others, especially children, is a huge sacrifice. (New appreciation for my momma)
My biggest struggle though was with missing my family. Sunday night we ate well and everyone left after putting the kids to bed. I began to wash dishes and had my break down moment. I thought of how much I wished I could hug my parents goodnight and just cried. I now ask the question, what could the Lord be teaching me in all this? Jesus himself knows exactly how I feel, if not more. Jesus left the very near presence of God to come to earth to love and minister to people. Jesus still talked and had fellowship with his Father, but experienced not being in His very close physical presence. I take great comfort in knowing that even Jesus knows how I feel.
I have also struggled with the language barrier. Though I am encouraged each day at how much everyone says I have learned in just a week, I still cannot say what I wish to say, nor understand what I want to understand. It will come with time I know, but that unholy fear comes up when I am left with the kids alone or think about teaching Sunday school. That fear is not from the Lord! Just this morning my God confirmed to me in devotions not to fear but to seize the day with great courage, for I have the Spirit of God with me at all times. For now the Lord had given me spokes persons(Like He did with Moses).
"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." (Hebrews 4: 12-14)
This place is dry not only geographically but also spiritually. Time and energy runs dry. The desert place is were I want to be. To truly hunger and thirst for the Lord is where I need to be. Jesus knows what He is doing!
