Cali, Columbia

Well friends, this is the Pastor's wife signing in for him.
They have made it to Cali, reasonably problem free. The guys are amazed at the beauty of the place. I had reported to me "tropical pardise" about the scenery and it is much warmer than expected. 70ish instead of 50.
The camp has many electrical issues and other needs. On the first day of work, they felt like they made a lot of progress! It doesn't hurt a new water heater was installed either but Jeff repored he was blue from his cold shower prior to the heater. A trench was dug also- not sure for what??? And our "Lowes" man, Julian got to take a trip to the hardware store in Cali... I'm sure he compared prices!
Oh Jeff did say the caretaker family there has a 2 year old little girl that is cute as "poo" (is poo cute?) but that's what he calls our little Baylee, so I'm thinking he's gonna be missing a little one really bad!!!
There will be updates posted here, but not from the man himself. Verizon has moved to the naughty list because the told and sold him something that doesn't work outside of the U.S. Soooo he has no phone or internet service as promised. IF they find a place in Cali with access he may update us himself. I will report in when I know anything.
Thanks for your prayers and interest in this mission.... I believe (personal note) the mission is more for the men than the friends in Columbia, huh????

I love REO SPEEDWAGON...

I really do. I've ditched the mullet that goes with my 80's rock affection, but my heart is still sporting one. The song was "Time for me to Fly" a total classic. Though the sentiment isn't the same, the time has come. Its time for ME to fly. My bags are finally packed. This morning I had 2 bags that weighed in at 55 pounds apiece. Were only allowed 2 at 50 pounds. After much consideration, I've left a bag snacks, 2 pairs of jeans, stuffed my Bible into my carry-on and gotten rid of a bunch of other little not-completely-necessary items. (The toilet seat being one of them...sorry Patrick)

I'm down to finishing up my little list of odds and ends jobs around the house and the church. Most of them are done, but Bert has made it clear that if I dont get the little hook put back up on the back of the bathroom door...dont come home!!! So I'm headed to the hardware store in just a minute.

Once I get that done, I will pick up the kids and we will spend our last night together before the trip. We're headed to Los Garcias for a Molcajete Azteca!!!! If I had another hand, I'd give it a 3 Thumbs Up. If you're ever in Paducah, let me know and I'll buy. Maybe.

I'm not worried at all about the trip. Colombia is an amazing place and the Colombian people are the bests hosts of anywhere I've ever been. My only nervous moments will take place just before the plane lifts off and right before it lands. It never fails that I remember: "airplanes are built by the lowest bidder" at these two times...every time I fly.

I'm sure I'll go through my regular routine tomorrow. here's how it looks:

1. I'll ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior one more time.
2. I'll confess every sin I can remember.
3. Remind myself how much I love my family.
4. Wish I would have taken the bus.
5. Talk myself into trusting JC one more time as I remember my life is in His Hands.

I know...I'm a freak.
Country mouse really has NO business going to visit city mouse, but I'm doing it anyway.

Keep looking here and I'll try to keep you updated.
He Has Made Me Glad!
jeff

The Commissioning

Today is the commissioning service for those going from New Hope as short term missionaries to Colombia. We are excited! We are apprehensive! We are faith-filled as we trust in God to bring to completion the good work that He is wanting to do through us. I pray, (and I hope you will too) that we will be receptive and responsive to God's plans. I pray that we will make the most of every opportunity that we are given. I pray that we make Jesus look desirable. I pray that we will grow more into the spiritual "man-clothes" that God has laid out for each of us to wear. I pray that we represent our families and our church well. I pray God will be glorified by everything that we do and say. Say a prayer for us today.

He Has Made Me Glad!
jeff

Final Preparations...

I am just about to finish up my preparations for next weeks mission trip to Cali, Colombia. Our trip will consist mostly of rewiring Camp el Coro. I'm sure I'll be about as useful at that as a bikini at a convent, I guess I'll be the photographer and gopher. We will be doing a few other things as well, so there will at least be the opportunity for me to get injured.

I am supposed to preach (my first bilingual sermon) in the Cali Central Church. I'm finding myself actually a little nerved out about this. But I'm sure I will survive. I have a sermon prepared already, I just hope I'm not offensive to my host culture...I'm told sometimes I'm a little that way in my own. YIKES!!!

Trying to get everything stuffed into two fifty pound suitcases is going to be an issue. I've got a tool belt, a circular saw and a rechargeable drill just to get things started. Toilet cleaner, TP, sheets and towels will take up the rest of the first bag. Clothes in the second one.

Went to 2 stores to get some clothes. I went to the used clothing store in Golconda, IL and bought t-shirts for a quarter a piece. The ladies there were really excited to know their stuff was headed to South America. Went to the Used Uniform Store(I think its called Wagoners) in Paducah yesterday to get some long sleeved work shirts. I got 2 Paducah Police Department shirts and shirt that used to belong to Tony and one that belonged to Bob. I'm really excited about becoming a Man in Uniform...I hear that the chicks really dig that.

Tomorrow I will try to figure out how to load about 20 movies on the ipod. I still dont have that stupid thing figured out yet. I need a 12 year old.

I also need about 8 pounds of beef jerky and I should be set to go.

I spent the better part of the morning at the Verizon store yesterday trying to make sure my phone and internet will work. If it does, I'll be shocked. But at least I tried. Derek at the Mall Store was a lot of help, and wished us Christ's blessings on our adventure.

We pull out next Wednesday Morning at 3 AM from the Lone Oak K-mart parking lot. If you're bored and awake, come on out and blow a party horn and wish us well. If you dont think you'll be up, let me know and we will call you on our way out of town.

Pray for us.
He Has Made Me Glad!
jeff