In the ongoing adventure that is my life, I find myself in Cartagena, Columbia. Yes…I know…
Contrary to the strongly voiced opinion of the lady at the airline’s check-in counter, my overweight carry-on did not, if fact, make the plane crash. We arrived just fine. Granted my carry-on was heavier than my checked luggage, but if it doesn’t bother American Airlines…it shouldn’t bother you. It’s the only way I can get all my books and heavy stuff (heavy stuff being the two kilos of chocolate my friend bought me in Austria) on the plane. For the first time ever in my experience, an airline decided to weigh all the carry-ons. So I got busted. The lady told me that if I could get my carry-on down to 12 kilos, she’d let me get on the plane.
Since I was starting at 21 kilos…it seemed that was going to be quite a feat. After three tries I managed to get it down to 13.5 and with a sad and imploring look (and with my shorts falling down from 7 kilos of books stuffed in the pockets) the lady let me get on the plane. Then of course, after that experience I was paranoid the rest of the trip. I kept expecting someone to notice that I could barely lift my bag into the overhead compartment and start yelling at me again.
I guess I should mention why I find myself in Columbia. Life as a missionary is an interesting one, but it definitely has its ups and downs. On the downside, you live thousands of miles from your family and friends…not to mention 7-11’s and Wal-Mart. On the upside, you do get the opportunity to travel and see cool places. It doesn’t happen every day mind you. But it does happen. My mission is holding their regional conference in Columbia this year, and since it wasn’t far off my trip from Miami back to Santa Cruz, I thought I’d attend.
It’s been interesting and very encouraging so far. The founder of International Teams, Kevin Dyer, is speaking and he’s been great. Interesting side note (to me anyhow), I was on the plane with him and his wife from Miami. I actually knew he and a few other IT missionaries were going to be on the flight, but after my battle with the grumpy airline lady I got distracted and forgot. So while Kevin and his wife and all the other missionaries on the flight sat together and visited at the gate, I was sitting in the food court reading a book. ‘Cause you know…that’s so much better than meeting the guy who started the whole shebang.
I didn’t remember they were there until we were in line at immigration in Columbia. Even funnier was that after I remembered and saw them in the line, they talked to the young couple who had been sitting beside me on the plane. They were the other IT people. We sat beside each other all the way from Miami and didn’t talk at all. In our defense, I slept and they were excited about being able to watch a movie in English on the private monitors we all had. So…you know…the priorities of a missionary…
Last night Kevin talked about the history of IT and the different stages it’s gone through…the difficult moments and the celebrations. Then tonight he talked about some of the things he’s learned over the years. Like I said, it’s been very interesting. So much of what he shared felt very applicable to my situation, as I’m moving forward with our building project. Kind of an in over your head but excited to see what God is going to do kind of thing. There were so many moments I felt like he was talking directly to me (and he even kept looking at me…although that might be because I shaved my head and I look like Mr. Clean).
At any rate, we’re only at the halfway point of the conference and I already feel much more encouraged and ready for this next step. It’s good to hear from those who’ve gone ahead of us and learn from their experiences and wisdom.
On Thursday I’ll be sharing in the morning session (just for a bit) about the home and ministry in Santa Cruz. I’m excited and a little nervous (terrified?) at the same time. I’m excited to talk about what God’s doing, but it’s still kind of nerve wracking to get up in front of a crowd of people who’ve been doing this for a lot longer than you have and talk about your work. But it’ll be good.
Besides…I get to spend the afternoon snorkelling, so I’m sure that’ll help me forget any stupid things I manage to say in the morning. As another side note, Cartagena is a pretty cool place. It’s very historic. I’ve only seen the old part of the city from a distance (I’m going on a tour on Thursday) but people tell me it reminds them of Quebec City. So that should be interesting. Our hotel is on this crazy, narrow peninsula with about a hundred other hotels. Tonight we had supper in the seafood restaurant on the 23rd floor with a 280 degree view of the city. Amazing stuff…
Anyhow, feel free to pray for me on Thursday. I’d appreciate it. I’ve been enjoying getting to know some of our other missionaries from across Latin America (basically I knew no one), but I’ve decided I’m the only missionary (possibly on the planet but certainly within IT) who isn’t a morning person. We were put in groups of three to pray together and my group decided (well…two of them decided) that we should meet at 7 AM. I was like, “You want to get up in the middle of the night to pray?” I got them down to 7:30 over breakfast. And breakfast rocks here…so it’s working out. =) Don’t worry…God knows me…he understands.
And in my ongoing quest to annoy everyone in Canada…let me just share that it was + 33 C today and I spent a couple of hours sitting on the beach reading a book. I also got a foot massage from some lady who wouldn’t leave me alone (it’s a common thing here I guess). You’re supposed to pay for it, and I told her no a bunch of times but she wouldn’t give up. She went ahead anyhow and then I explained that I didn’t bring any money to the beach so it ended up being free. So…not my fault…
And…oh yea…and did I mention I’m going snorkelling tomorrow?
Contrary to the strongly voiced opinion of the lady at the airline’s check-in counter, my overweight carry-on did not, if fact, make the plane crash. We arrived just fine. Granted my carry-on was heavier than my checked luggage, but if it doesn’t bother American Airlines…it shouldn’t bother you. It’s the only way I can get all my books and heavy stuff (heavy stuff being the two kilos of chocolate my friend bought me in Austria) on the plane. For the first time ever in my experience, an airline decided to weigh all the carry-ons. So I got busted. The lady told me that if I could get my carry-on down to 12 kilos, she’d let me get on the plane.
Since I was starting at 21 kilos…it seemed that was going to be quite a feat. After three tries I managed to get it down to 13.5 and with a sad and imploring look (and with my shorts falling down from 7 kilos of books stuffed in the pockets) the lady let me get on the plane. Then of course, after that experience I was paranoid the rest of the trip. I kept expecting someone to notice that I could barely lift my bag into the overhead compartment and start yelling at me again.
I guess I should mention why I find myself in Columbia. Life as a missionary is an interesting one, but it definitely has its ups and downs. On the downside, you live thousands of miles from your family and friends…not to mention 7-11’s and Wal-Mart. On the upside, you do get the opportunity to travel and see cool places. It doesn’t happen every day mind you. But it does happen. My mission is holding their regional conference in Columbia this year, and since it wasn’t far off my trip from Miami back to Santa Cruz, I thought I’d attend.
It’s been interesting and very encouraging so far. The founder of International Teams, Kevin Dyer, is speaking and he’s been great. Interesting side note (to me anyhow), I was on the plane with him and his wife from Miami. I actually knew he and a few other IT missionaries were going to be on the flight, but after my battle with the grumpy airline lady I got distracted and forgot. So while Kevin and his wife and all the other missionaries on the flight sat together and visited at the gate, I was sitting in the food court reading a book. ‘Cause you know…that’s so much better than meeting the guy who started the whole shebang.
I didn’t remember they were there until we were in line at immigration in Columbia. Even funnier was that after I remembered and saw them in the line, they talked to the young couple who had been sitting beside me on the plane. They were the other IT people. We sat beside each other all the way from Miami and didn’t talk at all. In our defense, I slept and they were excited about being able to watch a movie in English on the private monitors we all had. So…you know…the priorities of a missionary…
Last night Kevin talked about the history of IT and the different stages it’s gone through…the difficult moments and the celebrations. Then tonight he talked about some of the things he’s learned over the years. Like I said, it’s been very interesting. So much of what he shared felt very applicable to my situation, as I’m moving forward with our building project. Kind of an in over your head but excited to see what God is going to do kind of thing. There were so many moments I felt like he was talking directly to me (and he even kept looking at me…although that might be because I shaved my head and I look like Mr. Clean).
At any rate, we’re only at the halfway point of the conference and I already feel much more encouraged and ready for this next step. It’s good to hear from those who’ve gone ahead of us and learn from their experiences and wisdom.
On Thursday I’ll be sharing in the morning session (just for a bit) about the home and ministry in Santa Cruz. I’m excited and a little nervous (terrified?) at the same time. I’m excited to talk about what God’s doing, but it’s still kind of nerve wracking to get up in front of a crowd of people who’ve been doing this for a lot longer than you have and talk about your work. But it’ll be good.
Besides…I get to spend the afternoon snorkelling, so I’m sure that’ll help me forget any stupid things I manage to say in the morning. As another side note, Cartagena is a pretty cool place. It’s very historic. I’ve only seen the old part of the city from a distance (I’m going on a tour on Thursday) but people tell me it reminds them of Quebec City. So that should be interesting. Our hotel is on this crazy, narrow peninsula with about a hundred other hotels. Tonight we had supper in the seafood restaurant on the 23rd floor with a 280 degree view of the city. Amazing stuff…
Anyhow, feel free to pray for me on Thursday. I’d appreciate it. I’ve been enjoying getting to know some of our other missionaries from across Latin America (basically I knew no one), but I’ve decided I’m the only missionary (possibly on the planet but certainly within IT) who isn’t a morning person. We were put in groups of three to pray together and my group decided (well…two of them decided) that we should meet at 7 AM. I was like, “You want to get up in the middle of the night to pray?” I got them down to 7:30 over breakfast. And breakfast rocks here…so it’s working out. =) Don’t worry…God knows me…he understands.
And in my ongoing quest to annoy everyone in Canada…let me just share that it was + 33 C today and I spent a couple of hours sitting on the beach reading a book. I also got a foot massage from some lady who wouldn’t leave me alone (it’s a common thing here I guess). You’re supposed to pay for it, and I told her no a bunch of times but she wouldn’t give up. She went ahead anyhow and then I explained that I didn’t bring any money to the beach so it ended up being free. So…not my fault…
And…oh yea…and did I mention I’m going snorkelling tomorrow?
2 comments:
don't work too hard Ken! all that resting and free massages, eating and sunshine might undo all the boys hard work and make your hair start to come back...hope your vacation was restful. Amac
Oh...I'm pretty sure the hair is gone for good. Besides, I'm back to it on Wednesday, so... =)
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