Terminals

Remember the Tom Hanks movie, “Terminal?” The one in which his character is stuck living in an airport terminal. Today felt a bit like that for our team. We were up at 2:30 a.m. Managua time (that is 1:30 in Abbotsford). We went through security and had to get an exit stamp in our passports. After a wait in the terminal in Managua we flew for just over three hours and landed in Houston. Then it was back through immigration and security before we could sit in the main terminal for a four hour lay over. Next, on to Denver and another three hour lay over in that airport. Finally we will fly to Vancouver and arrive back in Abbotsford, the Lord willing, at 11:00 tonight. That makes this a 20 plus hour travel day and we will have been through four different airports! How Do you summarize this trip? Well, for starters, our team has been amazing! Everyone has been willing to step outside of their comfort zone, and yet recognize when others on the team needed some “alone time.” Our connections with the students and staff at Centro de Fe were deeper than I ever could have predicted or even hoped. All of the students on our team have continued to message with their friends at the school throughout our travel day. The over-arching framework for our trip has been built around four key pillars; to grow in our relationship with our Lord, to grow in our relationship and understanding of His creation, to grow in our relationships with others, and to grow our understanding of ourselves. This trip has exceeded all hopes in every way. Our students speak openly of how they were challenged in their faith and drawn closer to God through their interactions with the people in Nicaragua; people who gave us a glimpse of who He is as His image bearers. At the same time, we have seen aspect of His creation that inspired awe. We have seen active volcanoes, incredible ocean beaches, rain forests and a diversity of plants and animals. Our connections with the people of Centro de Fe are now “forever friends.” Brothers and sisters in Christ. Despite the language barrier, one of the teachers there, Franklin, and I, have become fast amigos. My eyes mist a little as I think about our final handshake and farewell hug. He repeated often that we are brothers. Through all these experiences, I have also come to a better understanding of myself; my strengths and weaknesses. On every level, this trip has been a smashing success. Praise God! Now it is time for the final leg, and it is with gratitude for my own bed and a warm shower, that I look forward to it’s end. Good night, sleep tight, AND don’t let the bed bugs bite(literally)!