Today we explored the capital We hooked up with the other group from Simpson University, and had breakfast together at the church. We heard the testimony from Jeff, who is one of the founders of Iberamerica ministries. His parents were alcoholics, and he used to escape into drugs. But one day, in the same park that he used to go to to destroy his life, someone spoke to him about Jesus, and that's when Jeff turned his life around. Six months later, after living in his broken home with his parents, and him continuing to resent them even as a new Christian, after obeying Christ in obeying and loving his parents, he won them to the Lord. Later, he even was able to baptize his two older brothers. Now, he and his wife have 7 grandkids, one on the way, and his whole family are all are involved in the ministiry, winning over others to the love, reality, and truth of Jesus. He loves when he sees international groups cross cultures -- he says it speaks to those cultures that Jesus can bring people together. There is a movement of Latinos going into the Muslim world, and they see the power of the love of Christ among his people, and it speaks to them. It really is true that we in the body of Christ are witnesses to those around us in how we love one another.
We had our big group take the metro into Downtown and explored the various historic places, and did some souvenir shopping. We had visited a winery yesterday in the early part of the day before finishing up our work at El Faro in the afternoon, and I bought some wine there. And I bought some coffee. Of course. The only other souvenir I wanted was a Chilean flag, as I collect flags from each country I visit. We all had lunch in this big fish market and I had seabass. It. Was. So. Bomb. I am so stuffed, though. Just this week I feel like I definitely gained some poundage, and I'm so proud of it! It's crazy to think how well they treat us, or any missionary team -- I feel like yes, we do make a difference, but definitely still feel so undeserving of the blessing they are to us, when all we sought to do was bless them with our small contributions. It's humbling to feel the love of your brothers and sisters ont he other side of the world, strangers on earth, but family in heaven.
As we're wrapping up the week, another testimony from David (a different one from the one at El Faro) spoke to me about the perfect timing of the Lord. We all hopped on a small bus to tour the different churches in the Maipu area. As he told the different stories for each of these places, how they were started, and what progress is being made, he says how he was reminded in doing God's work in these places that he doesn't want to ever feel like he is ahead of the Lord, but have God lead. And it was a good reminder for myself to not get ahead of His plans for me -- I get so excited about ideas I have and too many times get ahead of myself. But God is in control, and as frustrating as His timing may be for me, it also relieves me that I just need to take one day at a time, and not be overwhelmed.
