Last week being Holy Week, the school was shut down and our church had a smallish camp at this place we’re (read: Oscar’s) now in charge of that we call “La Quinta San Antonio” (for those of you who recognize the name of the hotel chain, I found out that “la quinta” essentially means “the big house”). San Antonio is the locality the house is in, right on the Rio Paraguay. The opposite bank, at least from where the house is, is Argentina.
I remember sitting at the campfire on the last night wishing I had something to write on. My thoughts were so centered on “time with God” – the theme – that I totally forgot to do the other things I had planned to do, like go over some teaching plans with Karen and interview more of the Sisters for our recipe book. So on Friday, as we sat around a blaze just talking, all I wanted to do was write about the experience. Of course, by now I feel it’s more a duty than a desire, but I’m hoping I can rekindle the flame, so to speak.
First, a story. We were recently allowed use of a drum set, which obviously makes the younger kids pretty psyched. I enjoy seeing the teens interested in making music that glorifies God, so I include myself once in a while. I can’t remember what I ended up supposed to be doing, but on Wednesday afternoon I was just messing around on the drum set. The guy who was leading thought it was funny because I had to move my entire body to be able to use my hands and the bass. The surprise came later in the afternoon when the original drummer said I was to play that night. So I played, and it was just OK in my opinion because I had no bass drum. I ended up playing the rest of the week, and I can even kind of use my foot now.
Friday night I was challenged by the message to create a place to spend time with God. Sort of an “alter” of sorts that’s just for me and God. No one else can come in there, and when I’m there it’s time to worship and pray. Space in my house is limited, so it’s probably more of a mindspace than an actual spot in the house, but I think that’s something I need. A place I can go to retreat after a long day at school to thank God for today and give tomorrow to Him. Spend time in prayer and reading of the Word. There’s a corner in my room that doesn’t really have anything much in it. Maybe I could buy a small chair to put there for my quiet times.
The camp ended all too soon, and the next one here is in January, so I don’t think I’ll be able to get to another one. I know of a possible one in Argentina in July that Steven and I will probably find a way to get to, so if you want to come, let me know!
-j
I'm Jason, and I like to write.