Visas, Shots and Protesters
"Where is your visa?" George and I looked at each other confused. We had just got off our plane from Buenos Aires and had arrived a few hours late at our first destination in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The day before we had lost our flight due to protesters that had blocked the highway to the airport and delayed our drive an additional two hours. This was our second attempt to make it to our final destination: Cochabamba, Bolivia where a pastor and his family awaited us to conduct a teacher training for the Bible Training Center for Pastors program.
"You need a visa to enter this country. We require Us citizens to have a visa." We had no idea. The travel agent did not inform us. We did not have the cash with us needed and they didn't take credit cards. It turned out that the immigration officer walked with us to an ATM and after several failed attempts with several ATMS and several cards we were able to get the money to him. "You also need to have the yellow fever shot." Right there at the airport a lady functioned as a immigration officer and as a nurse. I had already had my shot for a trip to Chaco (Praise God! I fear needles greatly). I looked away (so as to not be passed out on the floor) and George received his shot though the needle broke and liquid squirted into his face. Not the most pleasant experience. Nevertheless, we made our next flight and had a wonderful time meeting up with the Padilla family.
With all the travel, cost and energy involved in making this trip happen, I wondered if such a short trip (we were only going to be there a day and a half) would be justified and worth it. I asked myself if what we were doing was effective. Is this the best way to help start a Bible Training Center? Isn't there another way to do this? We are only going to be there for such a short amount of time. What can be done of lasting fruit in a couple of days? My doubts proved to be wrong, I believe, towards the end of our time. The teacher training session was a wonderful time of imparting a philosophy of ministry that has to do with a model of training others by building scripture into their lives in a way that is reproducible. The time of getting to know Moises, Veronica and their four kids was extremely valuable. What a neat family! By the end of the time I became convinced once again of what Paul says in 1 Thes. 3:9-10. I believe this passage contains an eternal principle that is extremely valuable in our information era: SOME THINGS CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED FACE TO FACE.
"For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thes. 3:9-10)
Apparently Paul believed that he could NOT complete what was lacking in their faith only by his letter. A visit was required. I have become convinced once again that in extending BTCP's, the personal face to face time is essential. So I praise God for the opportunity to have been part of starting a BTCP through our trip to Bolivia in spite of the Visas, Shots and Protesters.
Please pray:
1. For encouragement and diligence for the pastors who received the teacher training. Pray that God would give them wisdom and grace to live in the midst of all the political turmoil that is going on right now in the country of Bolivia.
2. For a smooth c-section for Caro. Tomorrow Wendy should be born around 3:30 pm (1:30 Texas time). Pray for peace, safety and health. Pray for our adjustment to this new stage as a family.
3. For God to use us deeply in the lives of key individuals and broadly in the church in our efforts in Christ to be bring about growth and change to the whole body of Centro Cristiano de La Union.
Posted October 2, 2008 by Greg and Carolina.
08-24-2010 The "one anothers" in Scripture
03-24-2010 D-day
12-21-2009 Merry Christmas
11-04-2009 Learning to Pastor
07-11-2009 Safety, Sickness and the Sovereignty of God
04-15-2009 A police officer's hospitality
01-30-2009 New beginnings
10-03-2008 Skype phone
10-02-2008 Visas, Shots and Protesters
09-04-2008 Travel and Sickness II (photos and update)
07-27-2008 Medical Mission Trip
07-02-2008 A missionary's confession
04-30-2008 Life in La Plata
02-22-2008 Returning Home
01-28-2008 Take to the World
12-22-2007 Merry Christmas!
12-05-2007 An update on Mike Terry (our pastor)
11-27-2007 Please pray for our pastor in Argentina
10-14-2007 WHAT´S A HOME SERVICE?
04-04-2007 TEAM MINISTRY
02-01-2007 Exaltation of The Cross
12-07-2006 What's a typical day look like?
08-30-2006 A burden for the interior of Argentina
05-24-2006 Training Leaders In Argentina
04-05-2006 A New Year of Ministry
01-11-2006 Coming to Texas
12-29-2005 Becoming Familiar with the Aiport
10-06-2005 BTCP graduation
