Day Fourteen ~ Breath-Taking Scenic Views & Meeting 45 Missionary Ladies

Friday, April 30, 2010
On Monday, I was told by a brother in Christ that he was looking forward to seeing how God was going to surprise me financially. (This was after I was in tears between the reality of a tiny bank balance & faith that God will somehow provide for this trip & for my next step.) Well, then the very next day, Tuesday, I got an email telling me that someone had anonymously PAID my $75 dollar fee for this weekend's ladies’ retreat! I would say THAT sure qualifies as surprising me financially! I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20-21, which says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Friday ended up being a day off from school, celebrating both the Day of the Child (April 30th) and Labor Day (May 1st). I have nothing written in my journal for Friday before getting to the retreat. So, I honestly don’t remember what I did all day, except probably laundry so that I could pack up for the retreat.

Johanna’s family came in their car to pick me & my luggage up for the retreat. Her husband, Juan Carlos was driving. They had me get in the front seat. Johanna & her 3 kids were in the backseat. I am constantly humbled by the actions of other believers here, as they go out of their way & are willing to be uncomfortable just to help me out!

As we were leaving the section where I live, there was something going on at the end of our street. Since I don’t know WHAT was happening, I will just describe for you what my eyes saw: crowds of people gathered, a pick-up truck with like a dozen policemen jumping out the back, black ski-masks on the policemen, HUGE guns in the hands of each policeman… I said, “LOOK!” To which the rest of the people in the car just said, “yeah, uh-huh…” like it was absolutely no big deal! They said it was probably something about drugs or another teacher’s strike demonstration…

To get to this retreat, we literally drove up the side of a mountain for like 10 minutes! It was a cement road, not just dirt or anything, but still, it was really steep! I don’t remember if their car was stick shift or not, but, I DO remember thinking, “I would NOT want to try to drive these roads with stick!”

When he parked in front of a place that said “Hostel” – I was surprised. I’ve had unforgettable experiences staying in hostels in Rome & Paris… I didn’t expect to stay in one for a Ladies’ Retreat. Plus, I had checked out the hotel’s website earlier in the week & it sure didn’t look like a hostel. So, I was pretty confused as we walked in.

When I checked in, they told me I was in “The Party Cabin” ~ when I got to my room, I realized what that meant was that there would be like 10 of us in one room. It was 4 or 5 bunkbeds & one single bed. I had to take the single bed, because it was next to the only electrical outlet in the room. (I have sleep apnea, so I have to use a CPAP machine nightly.)

There was also a dorm-style bathroom of 3 toilets & 3 showers. Ok… So, I unloaded my bags, looked at the schedule, & picked up my camera to go explore & capture some sights.

When that evening’s session began, we sang several worship songs that I was familiar with. There were times during the singing, when I just paused…and listened…to my sisters in Christ singing to our Father God…sisters who were called out of their life of comfortability in the United States (& Canada & Europe) and obeyed the call to minister in Oaxaca, Mexico ~ for such a time as this. I was truly humbled to be standing in the midst of these dozens of full-time missionaries.

The first thing I wrote in my journal from that evening’s session was the reference Psalm 121. Of course, NOW, as I am reading through these notes, a month later, I wonder – WHAT exactly IS Psalm 121. So, I have copied & pasted it here for you, and for me…
1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The LORD himself watches over you!  The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

After that reference, I have written a couple lines of lyrics from a song that I absolutely love. The song is called “I Will Lift My Eyes” & is written by Bebo Norman. Here are the lyrics:
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
I will lift my eyes to the Maker Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, let Mercy sing Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring Is all of me
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

You would be tremendously blessed if you would take a few minutes to watch the music video of this song here.

Here are some pictures of the decorations that greeted us when we went to our first session, Friday night.  The retreat planning committee REALLY spent a LOT of time & creative energy on decorations all weekend!