Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Bon Voyage (09/05/05)
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TITLE: Changing Seasons | Previous Challenge Entry
By Stephen Gill
09/06/05 -
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As a video producer, my job capture the moments of the mission trip. Upon my return, I would put together a 10 minute video promoting "House of Hope" Ministries. The group was heading to Peru, and as usual, I chose to learn very little about what was going to happen. Living in the moment without expectations makes video producing adventuresome. We left Norfolk, Virginia early on a Thursday morning. It would be a long day in the air. When we arrived in Peru the faces of our group changed drastically. There was an apprehension and energy that reflected the poverty stricken landscape. "Was it pity or compassion on the peoples faces", I wondered? Soon, we arrived at our hotel. The accommodations were not your garden variety Holiday Inn. In fact, when our hotel was not catering to us as missionaries, it doubled as a brothel. Each one of us headed to our rooms for a much needed nights rest.
Morning broke and our group met on the rooftop. This is where we would spend our time when we were not at the specific mission sites. The roof was our safe haven in this third world country. We were asked not to walk the streets in Lima without going in larger groups. "Lima is dangerous", Al Hartley exclaimed. Al was our leader and would be taking us on a tour of the 4 mission locations that we would be working at throughout the week. The first day was filled with hugs from the little children of Peru. We visited the feeding centers where hundreds would come to pick up meat and rice that would be there only source of food for an entire week. I remember the shock of this first day. We went back to the hotel. Al talked to us about the plans for the next day. Three teams would break up and go to 3 different locations. I was going to be with the medical team. We ate. We prayed. We fellowshipped. Our mission was only hours away.
When we arrived in the small village outside of Lima, it was evident that we were needed. Hundreds of Peruvians gathered outside the building. Ten at a time were brought into a holding room where one of our team would witness about Christ through an interpreter. I was capturing the images of the day. After a few hours, I stepped into the holding room and the man witnessing looked at me and said "I'm tired, would you do this for awhile". I was speechless. I had never done such a thing. "Speak about Christ", I thought. "I am not worthy". Yet my lips opened and said "I'll give it a try". The next few hours were a blur. I have no idea if what I said was useful to anyone. Yet when it was over, I knew that my life was changed forever. I said Goodbye to my old self and said Hello to a new heart. It was a Bon Voyage to remember. I can still see the faces of the first group 4 years later.
The week of mission work was a meaningful journey for all involved. It took time to decompress as we landed safely in the states. In the end, I'm not really sure who got more from the experience, the Peruvians or the Missionaries. Then again, I'm not sure it really matters. God planned it and that's all that matters.
I looked over at my wife and said "Ya know, I love the change of seasons". She replied, "Yeah, but it sure was a good summer". I watched the hummingbird with interest again. I thought about where that hummingbird would go once the weather got cold. I asked my wife, "Where do hummingbirds go in the winter?" Without a second thought the answer came. "Somewhere in Central or South America", she answered. I closed my eyes and smiled.
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