Shooting from the hip

When I’m on the ground in Ubaúna, activity is non-stop.

From the time I wake until I finally collapse at night, my senses –and body– are going at full tilt. And now, more than ever, every single minute here is precious. I can almost hear a giant clock somewhere ticking off the minutes I have left to do what needs to be done before I leave again.

Whatever is on the agenda to accomplish each day WILL be changed. It doesn’t matter how important or urgent the item is, the time and way it is planned to be done will be done differently.

If you cannot function in that type of environment, you will not be effective.

However, it sure makes for some interesting activity!

I came with a list of items three pages long of things that absolutely had to be addressed. As I write this I am five days into a six day stay and I’m still on page one.

I guess I’d best have myself an energy drink and get to moving even faster…

Tales from the Grave

Last Saturday in Ubaúna we had a baptism service down at the lake.

I always love these things!

This time was no different. Almost 70 showed up to celebrate, kind of like tailgating without the food. What was especially gratifying was that by far the majority were adults.

As each of the eight new believers went down into the water, I couldn’t help but think what was happening. Each person had a unique story; each one showed an incredible victory over the enemy.

• lived with addiction for years, heard the good news five years ago but thought it was too good to be true; buried.
• abused, beaten to the point of death and left to die, severely depressed; buried
• clinically depressed for years, suicidal; buried.
• terminal cancer, without hope; buried.
• sexually abused, locked in a room and fed under the door for eight years, drug slave; buried
• seventy-six years old, retired without purpose; buried
• unwanted by her parents, thrown out of her home; buried
• possessed by evil spirits for decades; buried

Did I mention that I love these events?