Whew ! What a Week!

Wow ! I can't believe that it's Sunday morning already. Last week was packed full of wonderfully uncomfortable situations that left us totally depleted at the end of the day. Therefore, there was no blogging going on. Most of our last hours at night were spent trying to think on our reactions and motivations to situations. Our hearts and minds were challenged as we experienced "real life" and "real life" possibilities. I'll try to give you the quick updated version. 

Monday we were challenged with conflict and how it provides opportunity. I don't know about you but most of my conflicts are only opportunities to apologize ( smile ) but no more ! They are opportunities to grow and appreciate others. To "turn my chair" and try to understand why people react the way that they do and more importantly why I react the way that I do and how by turning my chair I might see things from their prospective. Sounds easy...if it does..I applaud you ! 

Tuesday we covered spiritual vitality and managing stress. I'll try to post some of the stresses that our group came up with that missionaries experience. One of the singles in our group has been ill since the day she arrived here (literally). She had to leave our group for testing and there was much prayer for her. After living together as 32 -ish people with the goal in front of us our community is very strong. We all feel like family and the fact that one of us was "wounded " was very hard. 

Wednesday was a REALLY hard day. We were taken hostage. In my group there were 17 of us who were escorted to the basement of the building and led into a wooden box that was approximately 10'x5' and not quite 6' tall. We were told that our children were safely evacuated and that rebels had overtaken our mission area and we were there to hide out. We were given 1 flashlight and 1 radio. After some time we were told that we had been discovered and the rebels had taken our radio. We were there for about 1 hour in the box and during that time we had to choose hostages and were brought a hostage from our group who had gotten separated and was to be executed. VERY HARD. After some time they came back and told us that because ransom had not been met that 2 from our group had to be executed. We had to choose the 2. I know that some of you can go straight to the fact that this is just a game but for us these were very real situations that we had to think through. There were many tears and prayers going up for the Lord to decide for us and to deliver us. After the 2 from our group were taken for execution those of us left in the box (we did have air holes by the way) began to recite scripture and to pray aloud. This was a very tender and beautiful time as a team. At this point I began to get tears in my eyes. I couldn't help but be fearful that when the rebel came to take the rest of us as we were released that we would have to SEE the two men from our group who had volunteered to be executed lying there dead. WHEW!!!! How critical this exercise was for me ! 

Thursday was an amazing day as we discussed embracing the Sabbath. We were asked to go out from the building into the wilderness areas and just to sit with the Lord. I journaled 

 and drew and just soaked up the beauty and goodness of God. I'll post what I took away from that another day. I walked away from this day so much stronger than yesterday and certainly than the days before. I knew that God was moving and changing me and I count it all JOY! 

*Our sweet sister that has been not well was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer today. (Deep breath) Why???? She is only in her 20's and preparing to leave for the field soon. I have to tell you that although we don't know why she has to walk through this horrible thing God has shown himself so faithful from the topics this week in preparing her heart to receive this news all the way to the moment that we (us back here at the campus) found out. We circled together and began to pray for her. After our prayer we began to sing How Great Thou Art. When our sister came back late in the evening she was sharing with us that as the doctor gave her the diagnosis she began to see Pikes Peak ( a HUGE mountain here ) and recalling that her God had made that mountain. Her God had chosen this  and she began to sing How Great Thou Art..... did you catch that !!!!! If not, reread that . Is God faithful ? ABSOLUTELY . 

Friday WE played ! I am attaching pictures of our game. We were talking about difficulties in transition and they rope tied me (the mom) , a dad and 2 children together and we had to make it across a chair and ball course. It is SOO important to communicate as we transition. If not, we could loose someone and miss issues of the heart . 

SOOOOOOOO there you go ! You are up to speed and understanding of our quietness in the blogging world. We relished Saturday and drank up the peacefulness in not planning and just playing . We took in the Focus on the Family bookstore and Adventures in Odyssey play area ! What a great day . Today we headed off to church and then hiking this afternoon. Thank you for your prayers. We finish up our last week here this Friday and we are heading home. We are all so exhausted and home sick that we are not heading on our additional adventures.  Hopefully, to be there by Sun/Monday of next week. 

We love you all ! 

m