November 21, 2009

Have you ever had the feeling that things were just not turning out as you planned...yet it's SO obvious that God is in the middle of it all??? That pretty much describes my week/weekend.

First of all...
The trip to San Ignacio de Velasco to do the workshop fell through...they weren't able to organize it in time. I had a feeling that was going to happen, as I had quite a bit of trouble getting in touch with the contact person there. I'm still hoping to go and do that at some time, but it probably won't be until January or February. However, I was still in great need of a vacation, so Chelsea and I decided to escape to Samaipata a town about 3 or 4 hours from here in the mountains. It's beautiful there and we even decided to splurge a bit and stay in one of the nicer accomodations!!! I'm really excited!!! We're getting ready to head out of here...so I won't make this a very long update. We plan to return on Wednesday so that we'll be here for Thanksgiving dinner with SAM.

Second of all...
Yesterday, Saturday, I decided to take 3 of the newest SAM women to get their nails done and do a bit of shopping. We left about 9:30, picked up the other two and then went and got our nails done. To make a long story short...on our way to the market where we were going to do some shopping...I was involved in an accident. Let me start by clarifying that it wasn't a bad accident and no one was hurt. An accident in the states usually involves informing the police and an exchange of insurance information and that's about it. That is not the case here. It involves a lot of arguing back and forth...trying to keep the police department out of it...using insurance agents to be the go between (if you're fortunate enough to have insurance, which I am, thanks to my SAM family and supporters)! Anyway, I won't bore you with all the details...however, the guy basically saw a car full of North Americans and decided he'd hold out for trying to get full compensation (something that almost never happens here). It was more my fault than his...so I expect to pay more, but both sides are somewhat at fault. Anyway, the insurance guy tried to settle with him...he refused, holding onto full compensation...which meant there wasn't anything else to do but get the police involved. I then spent the next couple of hours in the police station answering questions and filling out forms. In the end, they impounded both of our cars until Tuesday when they could come to a resolution on the situation.

I could see God's hand in the whole situation in several ways...
While I was standing on the street with the guy...scared to death, with 3 women that are still learning their way around...a fellow SAM missionary, Bev Smith, rode by. She stopped immediately and stuck with me to the end (and offered to go back and finish the process/pick up my car on Tuesday with the insurance guy)!!! I was SO grateful to have her there!!! She did all of the discussing and decision making! The insurance guy was also a HUGE help...kind, compassionate, understanding, comforting! Finally, the fact that I don't have my car for a few days isn't deterring our vacation. The HAuses vehicle was just sitting at the base as they're still in the states, so the mission gave me permission to use that...and we're on our way!!! I'm so excited!! Please pray for continued safety!

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!!! I'll send an update with pictures when I'm back! Hugs to all and a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

November 16, 2009

Four weeks from tomorrow I'll be boarding planes and bouncing around in airports (and even cars) until arriving at my first destination, my sister's house in Graham, NC. After a couple of days there, I'll be heading on to my parent's house in Franklin, VA...going to the beach for a week with them and awaiting the arrival of my sisters and their families so that we can celebrate Christmas together!!! I know I always get SUPER excited about going home...but this time I feel even more excited about it! I don't know if it's because I've extended the trip a little more this year than I normally do...or if it's because I feel so anxious for a vacation...but regardless, I'm counting the days!

However, as anxious as I am to get there...I still have several things to accomplish here before I'm ready to go. The most immediate event coming up...is a workshop that I'm hoping to be teaching in San Ignacio de Velasco (SIV). You may remember several years ago, that I spent two months in SIV working with a summer team that was here. It is a town that holds a special place in my heart. I was asked to go and teach a workshop for Sunday School teachers there during Thanksgiving vacation. I have assisted in a few of these workshops that other members of SAM's children's ministry team have done...but this will be the first time that I have led one on my own. I'm a bit nervous about it...trying to get all of my ducks in a row. I'm getting ready to go visit with a friend of mine who has led many of these workshops so that she can help me prepare. I covet your prayers for this week as I prepare as well as next weekend when I hope to be leading the workshop (that we get all of the final arrangements made as far as time/place, and that people will come and learn through this event).

We're also getting to the end of the school year here in Bolivia. So, that means that there are kindergarten graduations as well as high school graduations just around the corner. I know quite well a couple of students in both of these grade-levels. Please pray especially for two people in my church, Sebastian (kinder grad) and Diego (high school grad), as they finish this chapter in their lives and begin to start the next one.

Sorry to cut this short this week...but I have a lot I hope to accomplish today and need to get going! I'll be sure to send an up-date about the conference...with some pictures as well! Thank you in advance for lifting these things up to our Heavenly Father!