Have a plan.....but be flexible!

We did have our jungle trip scheduled for the next few days postponed due to lack of fuel for the Cessnas flown by MAF. When I first visited this part of the world back when I was in college doing student summer missions work, the missionary with whom we chiefly worked gave us some good advice that not only came in handy then, but has been a mantra that I've tried to live by. Missionary Ardee Coolidge, one of the Hall of Fame people in my life advised us to "Have a plan, but be flexible!" It is interesting that yesterday, Dr. Stan Hall, the leader of NILI, when he was telling us of the possibility of needing to make a sudden change in plans advised the same...."plan, but be flexible....especially in this culture." So, it seems to still be good advice to cope with sudden, unexpected change.

However, early this morning our friend, Rev. Dwight Rich who is the Mission/Field coordinator came by the apt. He told us that since this weekend is "free", they'd like to invite us to go to a part of the jungle where they are holding services this weekend. So, true to the mantra noted above, we eagerly said "Sure", or maybe it was "Si!" Anyway, it looks like we'll get 2 jungle sightings, or at least we'll get to see another part of the country than otherwise planned. It's in the SE part of Ecuador.

Last night from about 9-11:30 p.m., we had a great time of fellowship, laughter and prayer with a young married couple who are completing their studies here and are preparing to move to an area about 4 hrs south of here to minister to the Quichuan people of that area....those are the indigenous people native to Ecuador. Manuel and Marcela are Colombians and they hosted us for a "cafesita", complete with coffee that would make Juan Valdez proud. They presented us a gift of a bag of the Colombian good stuff...and I am referencing coffee.

Those of you who know details of my culinary preferences know that I don't drink coffee. But, last night I drank 2 cups....with sugar, no cream. Those were the first cups of coffee in mi vida...in my life. Of course, Darlene, a coffee lover was excited about the quality of coffee. It was a special time for us to practice conversation, mutually share some of our histories (we have more of that than they...history, that is) and share hopes and dreams for ministry. Manuel y Marcela are great folks with a strong and refreshing commitment to Christ.

Well, the missionaries are ready to go, so Hasta luego!