Hello everyone! My time here has been focused around the events of this past weekend...The Copa Pura Vida. It is the two day swim meet we host here at the fitness center at the YWAM base. This year about 12 teams came from all over Chile. It was pouring down rain on Saturday morning when I arrived at the pool. We had to postpone for and hour or so while it settle down. As we were getting in the pool for warm up, the sun came out in full force and stayed out all weekend. We had 92 swimmers on our team alone, and 350 swimmers competing. The 2 day meet had 50 events. 30 each day. 5 events swimming in the ocean and 5 relays. April and I were in charge of our team and things flowed very smoothly most of the time. The swimmers all did great. I even got a few medals and ribbons myself.
This event felt like the purpose of the entire summer. From swim practice and other meets, it was all to do our best here. Some of the DTS 's did skits and dances and we shared the gospel with everyone present. 6 lanes full of swimmers and helpers and skaters on the skate ramps and families and friends of all were present at this divine event. Pura Vida Pichilemu got 2nd place overall. And we had a blast.
And in reflecting over the last few days about my time here, this year and other years, I am so blessed God brought me to Chile. Blessed to speak Spanish. Blessed to be around supportive and beautiful people here and at home. Plain and simple, I love people and I love sharing God's love and the mystery of Christ. I have built wonderful friendships here over the last few years and it was going to be so hard to go home on Monday. From coaches to YWAM staff to friends to swimmers...they have all imparted in me a piece of eternity and I can only hope I did the same for them.
It has been a summer of Victories. Of over coming fears. Of strength and might. I have been a facilitator. I have helped but it was not my challenge to overcome or my doings that did it. I just helped. And I am so thankful that the Lord would allow me to help Him in His glory of eternity. Facilitating glory-moments.
goodbyes are hard. The hardest really. And I had to do it it come here and I have to do it to head home. I am very excited to be coming home even though there isn't as much sun and oxygen and some of the most incredible people I have ever known will be staying here. This time has been simply beautiful.
And as I part I am remembering the word the Lord have me daily this summer: strength. Power. Courage. Might. For me for others.
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
From swimming. To relationships. To loving to sharing the gospel to leaving home to going back home to the place I love to work and live and love and story of glory-moments. Strength and courage.
And all God's people said AMEN.
