Friday, 08 February 2008
Good Morning all. It's another beautiful day here at 10,000ft. in Ecuador. The glacial tops to the surrounding volcanoes are in clear view with the news of Tunguarahua (the world's largest and most active volcano) blowing ash 6 miles into the air. Oddly enough, we were standing at the base of it, in a former lava flow, just a few days ago. Had we been delayed in the jungle for a night (which is common), we would have been extensively delayed because the massive 'throat of fire' (which is what 'Tungrahua' means) stood between us and 'home'. The other teams in the jungle are trying to devise paths out in aircraft around the ash stream.
I find it difficult to write all that is in my head currently. It's hard to pick and choose because it is all so relevant. I will wait until I return to reflect and then share all that I know how. In many respects words will not suffice.
Today we will visit the seminary and pack. I will admit, Wendell and I are exhausted - but all in a good way. No - the best of ways. I have been standing in the shadow of giants of faith - some of which are 4 foot 5 inches tall. I have seen God's creative majesty in beautiful and yet terrifying form. I have met the image of God in respects I never would have anticipated - fierce warriors with gracious hearts - poor children who would intend to give more than they would receive - women, hardened by the labor of life most of us could never even estimate, whose smiles were as soft as the wool they loomed.
We miss our families severely. Our hearts quiver in the anticipation of how bad we will miss those we have met here. How difficult the tension is to want to do so much more and to be dwarfed by the monumental size of the task. The courage of these faithful to stand firm in the adversity of what we would consider to be impossible odds is far beyond me.
Please pray for these people. I'm not using idle language here. I couldn't be more serious.
Lord willing, we will see you soon. We must be at the airport by 4:00am tomorrow. We will arrive at DFW in the evening.
jas
