Our plan (man's plan) was to go to Bolivia to serve at a church there. We were prepared and ready for ministry, just like the rest of the year...but we encountered visa problems at the border.
After searching God's guidance in prayer, He directed our paths towards Chile...unknown territory for the team in more than one way.
In times like these you realize God send you on this journey as a leader for times like these...recklessly trusting Him to come through for you and your team when you have nothing secure to hold on to accept His promises of never leaving nor forsaking you.
Our faith was tested when we arrived in Antofagasta, the city we felt God wanted us to go to and had to spend our first night in our "hotel", the local bus terminal, after a day of searching for opportunities in vain.
But God is always faithful and He opened doors for us the next day through a Bible bookshop owner who connected us with pastor Rene of the Baptist church. Pastor Rene has such a big heart and passion for missionaries, he almost made us feel like we were doing his church a favour by arriving there unannounced on their front porch.
He quickly organized that all 14 of us be allocated to different Chilean families' casas (houses) for the week. And wow, what an appointment set up by God!
My Chilean family crept deep into my heart as we got to know each other over visits to flowery deserts, beaches, sunday BBQ's, supporting Chile soccer matches together, traditional cueca dances and half Spanish, half English conversations in the kitchen while cooking Chilean style. May God bless them always!
God also opened doors for us to serve the Antofagasta Municipality during the week by planting trees at the stadium, fixing the damaged roof of a local citizen after one of numerous earthquakes in the area, helping with rehab at an institution for disabled people and even talking on national TV about what we are doing.
At church pastor Rene made sure we were well looked after. As we linked in with the church services, youth groups and casual meetings with other church people we mutually inspired each other to boldly live a Holy Spirit inspired life .
Never in our wildest dreams could we imagine that God had all this planned for us when we took that first step of faith into the unknown.
This is what a real adventurous life with God looks like without a doubt!