Monday, February 17, 2014
Excuse formating errors
Since I am new to blogging, I am still having issues when publishing. So please forgive the formatting errors in the journal "One Gringa's Limited Perspective on Chile...So Far." Maybe I will eventually figure out how to edit. The formatting was great when I was writing...I don't know what happened when I published.
One "Gringa's" Limited View of Chile...So Far
Bill and I have only been in Chile now for a few weeks, and we've only lived in one area, Coyhaique. And this city is in the XI Region of Chile, which is famously known as Patagonia. For the most part, Coyhaique is similar to home, except the language. But several tourists and locals alike have said that there are a few things here that are different from other parts of Chile, especially from the capital, Santiago. Isn't that the case wherever you go? Various regions of a place possess various differences. Well, I don't know if the things I have noticed are simply from Coyhaique or Chile, in general, but here are a few differences from home by my limited perspective:
1. Since it doesn't get dark until 10:00 P.M., things naturally begin later...most businesses open at
9:00 and there isn't much commotion until then. At 1:00, businesses, accept grocery stores, shut
down for a "siesta" and open again at 3:00 till 7:00...if they reopen at all.
2. There are a lot of gaps here. What I mean is this: When you go to a store, they may or may not
have things on the shelves because the people responsible for delivering may or may not have
shown up. Oh well if they didn't. Hallelujah if they did. Even restaurants may or may not have
what is on the menu....no big deal.
3. Chileans run on a laxed schedule. They seem to work well, but don't seem to put in long hours.
Even banks are only opened for six hours at the most. As is most of South America, paper work
and mail delivery don't get in a hurry. Mail and packages arrive when they get there. I did hear,
however, that the bigger the package, the more likely it is to arrive in a timely
manner. Who knows.
4. Meals...about twice a day...but it is not uncommon for your main meal, dinner, to be eaten
late, especially in the summer. Probably due to it getting dark late.
5. Private space: None. Chileans are very much in one's private space and don't mean to be rude.
They will walk right beside you, in front of you, and even hug and kiss you if meeting you for
the first time. I'm getting used to this now, but at first it was a little strange. It is custom to hug
and kiss everyone in the room, or at least hug, and it isn't unnatural. I see women holding hands,
men holding hands...but these seem to be family members. But touching and hugging are a definite
part of culture.
6. Which brings the next point to mind: Chileans love their perfume and cologne! And they must
wear the good stuff because everyone smells wonderful! Which is good since everyone is going
around hugging and kissing. And for someone like me who is doing a lot of walking and
sweating...not so good. A little embarrassing if I've been walking for an hour and a half and then
hugged and kissed by a stranger. Arid Extra Dry, do your thing!
7. Chile has an Italian flavor to it. There are a lot of men walking around looking like Al Pacino.
Their culture is heavily fused with wine, cheese, and homemade bread that is like our French
bread. Along with fresh vegetables, fruits and grilled meats. One meat they adore is lamb. It isn't
bad, I'm just not quite used to it. I will still take a steak, or any other type of beef, pork, or
chicken, over lamb any day. And there are plenty of those types of meat, too.
8. Milk...sold in boxes, unrefrigerated. But delicious and creamy, especially if put in a refrigerator to
chill.
9. Women who are dressed for their careers...fixed hair, nails, high heels and panty hose! That is
something I never expected in South America (the panty hose, I mean). They all walk around
looking like Barbie or a stewardess....unless it is hot. Then no hose. Chileans are very nice looking,
but don't look like other Hispanics. For example, people from Mexico have a different look than
that of Chileans. Just like everywhere else, different regions give a different look. Argentinians...
a bit different, as well.
10. The language....slang and rapidly spoken. All the words are blended together, so it is sometimes
difficult to recognize a word. This is Chilean, but a few people from Santiago said that the slang
is much worse here in Patagonia. This reminds me of how people in the U.S. think of the way we
Southerners talk...lol.
11. Barbeques: No house is complete without one and some Chileans even have their grilling set up
in a separate house or shed....Ok, I guess that is a lot like Americans.
So this wraps up my take on how things are a little different. But so far, things are staying interesting!
1. Since it doesn't get dark until 10:00 P.M., things naturally begin later...most businesses open at
9:00 and there isn't much commotion until then. At 1:00, businesses, accept grocery stores, shut
down for a "siesta" and open again at 3:00 till 7:00...if they reopen at all.
2. There are a lot of gaps here. What I mean is this: When you go to a store, they may or may not
have things on the shelves because the people responsible for delivering may or may not have
shown up. Oh well if they didn't. Hallelujah if they did. Even restaurants may or may not have
what is on the menu....no big deal.
3. Chileans run on a laxed schedule. They seem to work well, but don't seem to put in long hours.
Even banks are only opened for six hours at the most. As is most of South America, paper work
and mail delivery don't get in a hurry. Mail and packages arrive when they get there. I did hear,
however, that the bigger the package, the more likely it is to arrive in a timely
manner. Who knows.
4. Meals...about twice a day...but it is not uncommon for your main meal, dinner, to be eaten
late, especially in the summer. Probably due to it getting dark late.
5. Private space: None. Chileans are very much in one's private space and don't mean to be rude.
They will walk right beside you, in front of you, and even hug and kiss you if meeting you for
the first time. I'm getting used to this now, but at first it was a little strange. It is custom to hug
and kiss everyone in the room, or at least hug, and it isn't unnatural. I see women holding hands,
men holding hands...but these seem to be family members. But touching and hugging are a definite
part of culture.
6. Which brings the next point to mind: Chileans love their perfume and cologne! And they must
wear the good stuff because everyone smells wonderful! Which is good since everyone is going
around hugging and kissing. And for someone like me who is doing a lot of walking and
sweating...not so good. A little embarrassing if I've been walking for an hour and a half and then
hugged and kissed by a stranger. Arid Extra Dry, do your thing!
7. Chile has an Italian flavor to it. There are a lot of men walking around looking like Al Pacino.
Their culture is heavily fused with wine, cheese, and homemade bread that is like our French
bread. Along with fresh vegetables, fruits and grilled meats. One meat they adore is lamb. It isn't
bad, I'm just not quite used to it. I will still take a steak, or any other type of beef, pork, or
chicken, over lamb any day. And there are plenty of those types of meat, too.
8. Milk...sold in boxes, unrefrigerated. But delicious and creamy, especially if put in a refrigerator to
chill.
9. Women who are dressed for their careers...fixed hair, nails, high heels and panty hose! That is
something I never expected in South America (the panty hose, I mean). They all walk around
looking like Barbie or a stewardess....unless it is hot. Then no hose. Chileans are very nice looking,
but don't look like other Hispanics. For example, people from Mexico have a different look than
that of Chileans. Just like everywhere else, different regions give a different look. Argentinians...
a bit different, as well.
10. The language....slang and rapidly spoken. All the words are blended together, so it is sometimes
difficult to recognize a word. This is Chilean, but a few people from Santiago said that the slang
is much worse here in Patagonia. This reminds me of how people in the U.S. think of the way we
Southerners talk...lol.
11. Barbeques: No house is complete without one and some Chileans even have their grilling set up
in a separate house or shed....Ok, I guess that is a lot like Americans.
So this wraps up my take on how things are a little different. But so far, things are staying interesting!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
God's Greatest Resource: People
Bill and I have always known how we have been immensely blessed during our married lives. Not necessarily through money all the time, but always through riches that far surpass anything that can ever be given any value of number. Well, for the last few days, I am once again blown away by how God is providing for us through his most precious asset: people.
First of all, as I have written about earlier, we met a woman named Christina who graciously introduced us to many people around town. This lead us to meeting and falling in love with our new addition of "familia," the Esters. Joaquinn and Maria Ester run a hostel in Coyhaique. A precious home with a Chilean touch of wood stoves and clean, small rooms, this place is where Bill and I have been calling home. The Esters treat everyone like family, but I have to tell you, we are getting the red carpet treatment. For instance, I was not wanting to be in the way the other day, and decided to load up my dirty clothes and take them to a cleaners. Maria would not have it. She insisted that I wash my clothes at the hostel, because the lavenderia was too expensive. When another man overheard her, he kindly asked could he wash his clothes at the hostel...she sweetly said, "No." Also, we met a German family who allows people to come and live with them in a cabin separate from their home in order to work at their farm. When the man came to the hostel to take us to his home so that we could look it over, Joaquinn and Maria both questioned him in detail, wanting to know exactly what his plans were with us...and where he was taking us. It makes us feel wonderful knowing the Esters care. They wouldn't even rent out our room the one night that we left to go to the mountains. They left it for us to have when we returned the next day. Joaquinn said, "My casa es tu casa." Wow.
Another wonderful person is a man named Edwardo, whom we met at church. He must sit around all day and try to think of ways that Bill can get work, or where we can live. He has come to us twice, taking us to meet people whom we could possibly work for, and showing us houses to possibly stay in. He had to be around us a bit before he could feel he trusted us. I appreciate that.
The list of people goes on: the gracious people we have met at a Baptist Church in Coyhaique, pastored by Kyle Sheridan, a young man from California who is doing a fantastic job of spreading God's word. Another wonderful missionary named Tom with his wife Connie. They pastor in Northern Chile, and are always trying to give us advice on how things operate around here. Godly, beautiful people who have made it their life ambition to spread God's word in Chile and have raised a large family, including eight adopted Chileans.
I just stand amazed at how God puts people in our paths and helps us here in a foreign place, just like he blessed us with such great family and friends back at home. Why do I ever doubt God's love?
First of all, as I have written about earlier, we met a woman named Christina who graciously introduced us to many people around town. This lead us to meeting and falling in love with our new addition of "familia," the Esters. Joaquinn and Maria Ester run a hostel in Coyhaique. A precious home with a Chilean touch of wood stoves and clean, small rooms, this place is where Bill and I have been calling home. The Esters treat everyone like family, but I have to tell you, we are getting the red carpet treatment. For instance, I was not wanting to be in the way the other day, and decided to load up my dirty clothes and take them to a cleaners. Maria would not have it. She insisted that I wash my clothes at the hostel, because the lavenderia was too expensive. When another man overheard her, he kindly asked could he wash his clothes at the hostel...she sweetly said, "No." Also, we met a German family who allows people to come and live with them in a cabin separate from their home in order to work at their farm. When the man came to the hostel to take us to his home so that we could look it over, Joaquinn and Maria both questioned him in detail, wanting to know exactly what his plans were with us...and where he was taking us. It makes us feel wonderful knowing the Esters care. They wouldn't even rent out our room the one night that we left to go to the mountains. They left it for us to have when we returned the next day. Joaquinn said, "My casa es tu casa." Wow.
Another wonderful person is a man named Edwardo, whom we met at church. He must sit around all day and try to think of ways that Bill can get work, or where we can live. He has come to us twice, taking us to meet people whom we could possibly work for, and showing us houses to possibly stay in. He had to be around us a bit before he could feel he trusted us. I appreciate that.
The list of people goes on: the gracious people we have met at a Baptist Church in Coyhaique, pastored by Kyle Sheridan, a young man from California who is doing a fantastic job of spreading God's word. Another wonderful missionary named Tom with his wife Connie. They pastor in Northern Chile, and are always trying to give us advice on how things operate around here. Godly, beautiful people who have made it their life ambition to spread God's word in Chile and have raised a large family, including eight adopted Chileans.
I just stand amazed at how God puts people in our paths and helps us here in a foreign place, just like he blessed us with such great family and friends back at home. Why do I ever doubt God's love?
Friday, February 7, 2014
The Fascination of Trekkers
I realize that I have, up until now, lead a somewhat sheltered life. And for that I am proud. God has always protected me and given me a life of abundance through family and friends. But my realm of living has been within a small circle, something that I, again, am thankful for. But lately, I have come across different people from different parts of the world that have opened my eyes to the beauty of traveling around this awesome planet and learning the different cultures and people.....trekkers. People that come from varied walks of life and travel the world to see what they can see. Some trek for experience, others for an inner spiritual high....whatever the reason, I can't help but be smitten for the boldness that these trekkers possess, traveling by bus or airplane, hitchhiking, and walking hundreds or even thousands of miles for an indefinite amount of time, obtaining life-long learning through experience.
What has absolutely blown me away is that I am constantly meeting women who are traveling by themselves here in South America. Not hindered by fear, but anxious to view and experience different points of interest and the people that go along with it. Being the nosy person that I am with a bit of "mothering" in me, I am drawn to these women, asking questions about their journeys. Most of these ladies are educated and lovely, just feeling a need to travel while they are young.
What I enjoy the most is having conversations with trekkers not only about where they have traveled, but also about their homes. My favorite people thus far were a woman from Spain and two young men from Israel, who were so eager to share about their home culture and reasons for their journeying. One thing is for certain, by learning about others, you also gather information about yourself.
If I were to draw a conclusion based on stereotypes, which I tend to do at times, I would have to say that Europeans are much more willing to go to foreign places than the average American. Of course I have met several American trekkers, but for the most part, the foreigners in these parts are from Europe. That's is not saying anything positive or negative for anyone, just an observation that may or may not be factual. I so believe, however, that everyone should take an International trip at least once in his or her lifetime, if possible, just for the mere awareness that traveling brings. It seems to cause a more open mind toward others, which helps loving and respecting people to be more of a reality, helping to break possible unhealthy barriers of prejudice. But flipping that coin, my home in Louisiana contains many people who choose not to travel and are the most wonderful loving people that I feel certain would welcome anyone in, regardless of nationality or any other "barrier."
I guess what I admire the most about these trekkers is their love of life and refusal to let fear rule their freedom to see places and meet people. I'm telling you, going out is scary to me. I really have to put myself in a certain mindset to even walk around a strange town and greet people. But for the most part, from what I've seen in my limited travels, people are kind to those who are kind to them, giving a few exceptions, of course.
I hope that during this time of life while I am meeting new people and going to new places each day, that I will represent an ideology that is positive, and not only speaks well for whom I stand, Jesus Christ, but also transcends an image that speaks highly for the people whom I represent: my family, friends, and home.
Christina, from Spain
Martina and David, from Slovenia
Taneesh, from Ohio (living in Santiago)
These Trekkers were from Israel (I never got their names)
Alex and Crystal, from California (Los Angeles )
What has absolutely blown me away is that I am constantly meeting women who are traveling by themselves here in South America. Not hindered by fear, but anxious to view and experience different points of interest and the people that go along with it. Being the nosy person that I am with a bit of "mothering" in me, I am drawn to these women, asking questions about their journeys. Most of these ladies are educated and lovely, just feeling a need to travel while they are young.
What I enjoy the most is having conversations with trekkers not only about where they have traveled, but also about their homes. My favorite people thus far were a woman from Spain and two young men from Israel, who were so eager to share about their home culture and reasons for their journeying. One thing is for certain, by learning about others, you also gather information about yourself.
If I were to draw a conclusion based on stereotypes, which I tend to do at times, I would have to say that Europeans are much more willing to go to foreign places than the average American. Of course I have met several American trekkers, but for the most part, the foreigners in these parts are from Europe. That's is not saying anything positive or negative for anyone, just an observation that may or may not be factual. I so believe, however, that everyone should take an International trip at least once in his or her lifetime, if possible, just for the mere awareness that traveling brings. It seems to cause a more open mind toward others, which helps loving and respecting people to be more of a reality, helping to break possible unhealthy barriers of prejudice. But flipping that coin, my home in Louisiana contains many people who choose not to travel and are the most wonderful loving people that I feel certain would welcome anyone in, regardless of nationality or any other "barrier."
I guess what I admire the most about these trekkers is their love of life and refusal to let fear rule their freedom to see places and meet people. I'm telling you, going out is scary to me. I really have to put myself in a certain mindset to even walk around a strange town and greet people. But for the most part, from what I've seen in my limited travels, people are kind to those who are kind to them, giving a few exceptions, of course.
I hope that during this time of life while I am meeting new people and going to new places each day, that I will represent an ideology that is positive, and not only speaks well for whom I stand, Jesus Christ, but also transcends an image that speaks highly for the people whom I represent: my family, friends, and home.
Alex and Crystal, from California (Los Angeles )
Monday, February 3, 2014
Lost in Translation
Christina, our Angel, showing us around Coyhaique, Chile
When we arrived in Balmaceda, Chile, no one was waiting to greet us, no one to pick us up and take us to a hotel, and very minimal knowledge of Spanish. All the good-byes and parties were over. Family was now only communicable through Internet or phone. So lonely and scary. And when we walked out of the Balmaceda airport and were hit by a whipping wind that forced us to put on our down jackets....this being summer....we asked ourselves if we really were right in knowing God's will.
This reminded me of a story my husband often tells of a friend whose father took him to Bolivia when he was a child. Then, for reasons unknown, the father just up and left the child in Bolivia with a woman that was a stranger and went back to the states. The child had no idea of anything...no family, friends, or knowledge of Spanish. Somehow, through the grace of God, this boy survived and became a soldier for Christ, but not without going through some harrowing obstacles. Now my situation wasn't that severe, but I felt, even though I was following God's leading, that I was in a land of the unknown, to say the least.
It took an hour for a bus to take us to our destination, Coyhaique (pronounced Co ee ay kee). We had chosen an "Americanized" hotel for the sake of familiarity, and it was beautiful, expensive, and sterile. The staff were kind but a tad reserved, which is not uncommon due to my husband's somewhat unusual appearance, and they couldn't take the place of our family and friends back home. For the next day, it seemed that people were trying to tolerate us, but there was a bit of frustration from the locals in the public arena due to our communication breakdown. I couldn't help but be embarrassed. I figured that the people we came in contact with were wondering why in the world we would travel to a Spanish speaking nation, without being prepared with a proper dialect. And they would be correct. But here we were....lost in translation. Finding out any simple information is crazy without knowing the ways of where your are, how to handle money, where and what to eat, and especially how to catch a taxi or bus!
By day two, Bill and I woke up with hearts that were heavy of dread for the future and missing our past back in Louisiana. At daylight my eyes flew open, and I couldn't decide if I was sick from nerves, or maybe just jet lag. That particular type of dread just zaps your energy and ability to focus on anything positive at all. It even effects you physically. When I get like this, nothing is effective like prayer. That's the only solution to the problem. Bill and I were both feeling this way, but we weren't wanting to tell the other so to not worry the other. Finally, I opened the can of worms and assured him that I was ok and knew God was in this, but I was depressed and scared. We both hurriedly got on our knees and started fighting off the demonic pressure that was trying to ruin what God was trying to do through us. Of course, this wasn't going to be easy. Then, as we were praying, we asked God to send us someone that could help us.
As we were walking lost through town, a tiny little woman with a huge smile came up to us and started making pleasant conversation with us in English...Yes! She was from Spain and been traveling for over 10 years. An incredible free spirited woman, she had chosen to hitchhike around the world, with her first trip hitchhiking from Spain to China. She explained that she traveled with very little or no money, and that people were always willing to help. Now before you get too judgmental, she had no intentions of freeloading. She always tried to do things for others to compensate for how they helped her, such as cooking and cleaning, or serving as a tour guide. This woman had no intentions on getting a "job," although her skills were monumental, including speaking Spanish, Italian, German, and English. But for now, she was just wanting to see what she could see, enjoying the view and people along the way. After she took us around the town, introducing us to locals and showing us the places we needed to know, she invited us to a home she was staying in and cooked a delicious meal for us.
Now although I have no desire to hitchhike around the world without money or a job, her perception of life couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I was feeling closed and intimidated. Unloved and frustrated. She was open and loving and viewed life positively. She even kindly reprimanded me for being afraid. She explained that fear will keep one from living and enjoying life.
Christina spent the whole day taking us around the city of Coyhaique, introducing us to the locals and telling our story to whomever we met. She explained to me that she wanted to get our story out so that people would trust us, and be there for us. Amazing. Now even though this lady's ways were too free spirited for me, I simply was overwhelmed with her kindness only moments after meeting her. Even my ever so skeptical husband thought she was great. We thoroughly enjoyed her and have benefited from her meeting in several ways. On our day with her, she introduced us to three different people that we are now becoming friends with, which is making a difference on how we are perceiving Coyhaique. And there is no way we would be doing as well as we are if we hadn't met her. Many blessings to you, Christina! It is unbelievable all the different ways that God works in our lives. I have no idea about Christina's preference to God. She quickly knew ours and seemed to have a respect for it. But regardless, she was there for us when we needed her. Our angel. Praise God.
It really is amazing how God provides, but we have to be totally open to Him, and not our ways. Now that is difficult. For us to really just wait for him to lead our paths is never a miss, but it is our job to be in His word and presence so that we recognize his steps and not ours. Sometimes easier said than done.
So now I write with a much lighter heart. I still have no idea where we are going to live, how to make a living, or exactly God's purpose, but just in the case of meeting Christina, God has this, we just have to let it flow....and wait for the translation to be heard!
We find ourselves around some wonderful Chileans who are willing to communicate through gestures, bless their hearts, and are steadily trying to teach us about their words and culture. God bless them. I am sure that I will still have days where I wake up with dread and fear, but I will just do what I did on that day in the hotel room and hurriedly get on my knees and ask for God's presence....that's is really all we have that brings joy.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
God Is Moving Us Where?
My husband and I have always enjoyed each other's company, especially in the evenings when things have settled for the day, and we actually have time to share our thoughts from our hectic scheduled grind. One seemingly normal evening, when we were about to turn in for the night, Bill sat up in bed and simply replied, "Leslie, I think we might end up moving to Argentina." That was it. Plain and simple. After a few moments, I responded..."Argentina....Argentina...Let's see. Isn't that in South America?" Now due to my vast knowledge of the world and geography, there were two things that stuck in my mind: penguins and the song "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," made popular by Madonna in the 80's. Sure, there were other things that came to mind as well: gauchos, the Tango, Patagonia...but that was it. No deep knowledge. Just snippets of what I obtained from being a child of pop culture knowledge rather than a true student of my world.
For the next few years, the belief that God was moving us to South America began to become a frequent topic of conversation at the dinner table with our family of six. Gradually, Bill and I took the idea to a new level, constantly praying that if we were indeed to move, that God would prepare us spiritually and in every other way for the purpose He had. Slowly, the prayers changed from Argentina to a different destination, a beautiful narrow strip of country at the bottom if the world...Chile. So the research began. We went from knowing a few sparse facts about South America in general, to being an all out "expert" of the South, especially when it came to knowing about the southern region of Chile, Patagonia.
Now, eleven years later, Bill and I sit in an airport in Houston, Texas, waiting to board our flight to Chile, having bid our beautiful family, friends, church and work goodbye, in order to hopefully display our absolute obedience to God. There are moments I have my doubts, but on a normal basis, when I stay in God's presence through prayer and His Word, I know that He is taking care of all that is dear to us, so that we can pursue whatever is dear to Him. Isn't that what being a Christian is all about?
Sunday, January 26, 2014
And So the Journey Began.....
In two days, I begin a new phase of my life that I had no way of knowing would happen 26 years ago. It was then that I wallowed in sin, waking up each day to one misery after another and had no direction to go but up. It was during this time, that I desperately ran to the altar of Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and begged God to mold me, change me, whatever it took for me to become the woman he wanted me to be. No holes barred, the absolute surrender to whatever God had in mind, his will not my own.....and so the journey began......Shortly after I prayed my prayer to Jesus, I met Bill Harrell... and my life was never the same.
When you reach a point of totally turning your life to Jesus, he places people in your path to help create you into the design in which the Lord can use. This was the case when I met Bill, whom I married eight months after we met. We were the ultimate in polar opposites....I was materialistic and uptight. Bill was not. I actually cared about the things of the world such as a career, money, and possessions. He did not. Actually, the only thing we had in common was our desire to serve and please Jesus Christ....that was the chord that held us until we molded into a unit of oneness the way God meant for a married couple to be. But that took a while. Until then, we fought and struggled our way through marriage until God placed on our hearts that divorce was not an option and that the one way we could start to please the Lord was by loving each other like God loves the church. It was then that our lives became blissful and with meaning.
Now, 26 years later, we have had the privilege of raising and helping to raise 4 children, two daughters and two sons. They are all married with children and the blessings that we receive daily from our family are unlimited. We also have been so blessed with extended family and friends that I cannot express the joy that has been given to us through these people. Which is the reason it is a little difficult to understand why now, when everything is as it should be, would God send us away from all of this beauty. But did I not give up my SELF in order to be HIS on the dismal turned joyful day at the altar in Little Rock? Maybe it took this long for Bill and I to prepare for what he has in store.
Now, in two days, Bill and I leave all behind to start a new beginning in South America....the whats, whens, and hows are not clear. What is clear is we know that God has called us to go....and for that we are willing due to our love and trust for Him. What else do we need? We have never made a lot of money, we have had to work hard for any material possessions we ever received, but in the end, these things are temporary. So we push those things aside and depend on the permanent....our Lord Jesus who is the ultimate resource. We have no job, no certain destination, and we are
limited on our speaking of the language, but we are leaning on the everlasting arms.
When you reach a point of totally turning your life to Jesus, he places people in your path to help create you into the design in which the Lord can use. This was the case when I met Bill, whom I married eight months after we met. We were the ultimate in polar opposites....I was materialistic and uptight. Bill was not. I actually cared about the things of the world such as a career, money, and possessions. He did not. Actually, the only thing we had in common was our desire to serve and please Jesus Christ....that was the chord that held us until we molded into a unit of oneness the way God meant for a married couple to be. But that took a while. Until then, we fought and struggled our way through marriage until God placed on our hearts that divorce was not an option and that the one way we could start to please the Lord was by loving each other like God loves the church. It was then that our lives became blissful and with meaning.
Now, 26 years later, we have had the privilege of raising and helping to raise 4 children, two daughters and two sons. They are all married with children and the blessings that we receive daily from our family are unlimited. We also have been so blessed with extended family and friends that I cannot express the joy that has been given to us through these people. Which is the reason it is a little difficult to understand why now, when everything is as it should be, would God send us away from all of this beauty. But did I not give up my SELF in order to be HIS on the dismal turned joyful day at the altar in Little Rock? Maybe it took this long for Bill and I to prepare for what he has in store.
Now, in two days, Bill and I leave all behind to start a new beginning in South America....the whats, whens, and hows are not clear. What is clear is we know that God has called us to go....and for that we are willing due to our love and trust for Him. What else do we need? We have never made a lot of money, we have had to work hard for any material possessions we ever received, but in the end, these things are temporary. So we push those things aside and depend on the permanent....our Lord Jesus who is the ultimate resource. We have no job, no certain destination, and we are
limited on our speaking of the language, but we are leaning on the everlasting arms.
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