Tarantula

As I am sitting here writing this, there is a giant tarantula creeping his way across the floor towards me. He is about 10 feet away and closing. But, don't worry. We've learned that they aren't so bad. We don't fear them like we used to. In fact, one of the leaders has learned to just pick them up and relocate them... Either to their maker or to another part of the building. That is a little bit like how I feel about being here these few weeks. I had a lot of worry and fear before getting here and several times while here. You've read about some of those times already. Yesterday, we had another time like that. After a wonderful swim in the sea and some fresh seafood for dinner, (albeit not according to schedule at all), the team headed in parts to the village dinner. How fun it was for me to stand at the gate of the school and welcome the young ladies in their dresses and heels, and the young men in their dress shirts! I told them of the change of location, and they headed up the hill. The 4:00 dinner had youth still pouring in at 5:30. More and more kids and their patents came. After that it was a bit of a blur, but par for the course, it did not go according to plan.  It seemed like our ending would not hold fond memories. On top of that, for the first time in the three weeks, the power went out, just as everyone was packing to go home. If things were this tough the night before, what would the travel home look like? So where did we go with all this frustration, sadness, anxiety? To worship. There were tears and reconciliation and words of affirmation.  And we went to God's word. Psalm 105:1-15 reminds us of what to do in times like this. Remember the works of His hands, proclaim the good things He has done, and remember his promises: He will protect His people. Amen! God did many great things these weeks. We need not fear. We know that now! Thank you Father for the 68 young people who gave their lives to Christ, for safety for all team members, for relationships built, for lives changed, for happy faces, for children who know they are loved and valued, for the tarp that survived 2 weeks of Club, for the supplies that didn't run out, for supernatural energy , for joy, for love, for gladness. Thank you Father.