2 days - Reflections

In two short days we will step out of the comforts of our homes, families, and familiar weather. We will land our feet onto new soil, breathe new air, see new colors, taste new tastes, and smell new smells, When we meet new people and greet them with a smile it will be the first seeds of a new friendship planted. When we laugh, run, play, and build community with people we've not previously met, it will be a testament to God's wonderful plan for all his children.

In these next two days, as we buy supplies, pack our bags, drive all over town, take our medicine, and stress over whether or not we're ready for this, Please take time to slow down...

Take time to appreciate all the work and planning you've put into making this new and wonderful trip an experience that will expand your perspective. Take time to appreciate the long hours you spent working through the night just to save enough money to go. Take time to appreciate the early mornings you had to wake up in order to send emails and make calls so that this trip would be possible. Take time to appreciate all the cries, screams, and diapers changed you had to endure from babysitting just so you could bring in some extra dough. Take time to appreciate the long hot hours gathering and selling old furniture at the yard sale just to raise some money to share with the team. Take time to appreciate the hours spent in front of the office computer, emailing clients, calling reps, just to continue to support yourself and your trip.

Make time to thank your pastor, your churches, your congregation, and your bible study group for all the support they have given you this past year. Make time to watch a baseball game with your dad, or cook dinner with your mom, or take your siblings out for a burger and shake. Make time to observe, ponder, and appreciate the little things around you that make home, home. Make time to enjoy playing with your cat, your dog, your hamster, or your koala.

As we prepare to leave our fast paced and crazy lives for a different reality, let's take and make the time to appreciate our people and our culture. The most important part of your trip will be to connect, serve, learn, live, and just be with the people of Chile. Make sure we learn to appreciate and remember the good things that have allowed us this great opportunity.

-Chaim Diesto