Alyssa's point of view

I was so exhausted after our flight to Chile! Right when we got there we only had time to drop our bags at the church and head to 2nd service. It felt like an old southern small church with friendly people and many happy faces. We sat not to far back from the front and yes we did get the “are those new people” looks from others around us. At first I took in everything around me like what the people looked like and how everyone dressed. Did I look too casual ? How, if at all, did I fit in? Well worship began, of course in Spanish, and they had a little smaller set than ours. I recognized the songs, well most of them, yet at the same time I tried to learn how to say the words in Spanish. I finally got into the rhythm then the next thing you know we were being asked to come up front. It took us a while for us to respond but we understood when someone was motioning us to come up front. At that moment I saw most of our new Chilean team that we would travel with. The church prayed over the whole team. Later that day we all had a huge luncheon at the church. We represented seven different churches and communed with each other. We also were able to surprise Captain with a Birthday cake and sang the Happy Birthday song in both languages. (His first summer B-Day).

That night Elyce and I stayed at an apartment with 3 other ladies that don't speak hardly any English. (Thank God for Elyce's Spanish/English Dictionary.) We all personally met and said our “how do ya dos”. It got quiet for a while until we started to understand what we where talking about. That was fun it was like playing charades. Later that day I started doing my journal on the balcony. (awesome sunset to see) Some may not think that what I saw from there was a great view but I sure liked it with all the buildings and some view of the mountains peaking behind them. I got to see how things were and smell the cool summer air. (at the same time basking in the sun) I had a hard time getting to sleep because I was so excited and I still couldn't believe I was in Chile! The next day the Boise team had a tour of the capital, Santiago. We saw great sights and saw so many different people. We kept on seeing those sights until dusk. (That was a great work out for me.) At the end of the tour I was so tired all I wanted to do was sleep.

We have already had couple of days go by (That went fast) and we start our mission on the bus. Yes we are off to a land far far away. Through that time we were able to build relationships talking with the Chileans and casually introducing ourselves individually. My first friend that I meet on the bus was Carlos. I had so much fun talking to him and getting to know his story. He does not know all English but he does know enough to get a conversation going. I found out he loves to talk. (why does that sound so familiar?)

One of our stops (and this was weird to me) we were all able to take showers. I didn’t know that you had to pay just to use the restroom or take a shower. Things were so different in Argentina. I didn't really like the service in that country but like everything I got through it just fine. It seemed like forever going through that country. I lost count how many stops we made after the 3rd one. Finally after 52 hours on the bus we arrived in Paraguay. Yahoo!

Aww home sweet home away from home. We arrived at the place that 8 of us would be staying at for the time we would be there. It had no AC and yes it was very hot and humid but, at least we had nice fans that kept the house cool. (Quite frankly it was the right temperature for me.) Shortly after having like say 5 minutes we got back on the city bus and headed straight to the church. When we arrived there we headed out to outreach. (Don't forget the bug spray!) Our outreach was to give juice and sandwiches (which we have made at the church) to the vendors on the streets. (starting age was probably around 6 years old to about say 60 years old give or take) It was late afternoon going into the evening hours (the hottest time of day). They came to us like bears to honey. I had a great time being with the locals and getting a first hand perspective on how they live.

Later that night we had our first service in Paraguay. I loved it the worship was awesome the preaching was great. The most awesome thing though is that within minutes of it starting I could easily see and feel the presence of God. I automatically knew I was going to love this place.

The next day (or I think it was the next day) Captain and Linda taught the team about how to evangelize and how to let God lead into things instead of us leading and Him helping. Right after that we got into small prayer groups and started praying for our hearts. Well this one lady started praying for me. She said that I am very precious and am to be called princess. God values me and that even when I was in my mom's womb God saw me and I saw Him. I was considered brand new as a new creature. ALL THINGS ARE PURE! I never knew that I could receive while being on a mission trip. I knew that I had to give but now I realized in order for other to receive I had to have something to give. That next night I was praying for a girl (it was during the women’s meeting) who needed that same love and compassion that I was given. (MAN, GOD IS GOOD!)

I later on met a family at the place where I was staying at. That night I started talking to one of the brothers (Danny) and we ended up talking for hours. The next night I talked to the other brother and his sister (20 years apart, him being the youngest) The sister Maria I found out has lived in the states for 20 years but her parents are British. Her family ended up living in Paraguay where the youngest Matt has been most of his life. (soon to come to the states for the first time.) They were there at her sister-in-law's house. (same place to where I stayed) Their mother was there too for medical reasons (wont go into detail) That is why they were staying there in the first place. The next day Maria and her mom was at the church Elyce and I started to pray for her mom. I prayed for both since Maria was like the glue to the family. After I prayed for them I hugged Maria and while she was hugging me, she said to me in my ear that she saw the armor of God on me. I was blown away when she said that. I hugged her again and from that time on that family, Elyce and I became like one family.

A few days later the church and the team had a kid day at a park. (about 150 kids) Right as the bus doors opened we had this overwhelming greeting by the kids already there. Once we finally got into the park you would think it was a holiday with all the kids there having the best time with all the games and balloons. Seeing those kids faces light up like if it was Christmas that made my day. We ended that day with a few skits one done by the Boise team and another by the Chileans. At the end of the skits we had an alter call I saw at least 50 hands go up. Yes some may not know at that time what they where doing but I did see many that truly did and was an amazing sight. It was hard to see the kids leave that day but at least we know they can have hope of a better day.

Before our last few days there we where able to go to the falls in Argentina (forgot the name at the moment) God was so amazing that day. I was able to see some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life. We got to see so many different waterfalls and so many different spectacular views. They say a picture says 1000 words well my friend this could not even fit in a picture. I love how God loves us so much that He even delights in us when we see what He has made for His Glory!

The last night in Paraguay was incredible! Isaiah and Carlos started it with worship songs both in English and Spanish. The unison in both languages amazed me so much. At one moment I had pure joy and a privilege to see and hear what God hears all the time from his people all over the world. Just that one small glimpse made my heart full of joy and compassion. After that we all shared some stories and gifts to give each other. Then the Chileans prayed for the Boise team and then the Boise team prayed for the Chilean team. Unity was spilt all over that church and us. We then prayed for the Paraguayan church and pastor. We started our service and it ended up being a good bye party. All of the Paraguayan people prayed for us and gave each of us a gift to remember them by. It was a bitter sweet day but ended well.

At the bus station the next morning we said our goodbyes to all of our dear friends and now family too. This time it was a straight shot to Chile and we only had to go on one bus. During this bus ride we were saying our goodbyes to the Chileans and remembering our last moments together. Did the whole get email and addresses thing and 32 hours later most of us parted our own ways.

Thankfully we (the Boise team) still had a few more days in Chile. We had a few days rest until Sunday. Sunday all 8 of us went in teams of 2 to different Vineyards to tell what we had experienced in Paraguay. We all had our different stories so I'll just tell you mine. It was Linda and I who went to Vina de Florida. We had a small crowd of around like 20 people. I smiled when we got to meet up with some of the Chileans that was on our team there. Well like always we had worship then the pastor talked a little about outreaches. After that his wife (one of the Chileans from the team) spoke about the people in Paraguay and her experience there. Next was Linda she did the same and also spoke about the unity in our group (the whole team both Chileans and Boise) as we where there. Lastly I spoke. I spoke about how the 6 students form the Boise team wrote a journal on different things we got from God. One was about a miracle by the river. Well it so happens that we (the Boise team) had a miracle by the river. Then I went on to how my word from God was fulfilled. Every time we had our meditation time to then write in our journal about it, I kept on getting unity. Yes, that is right I said UNITY! I love how God uses us and shows that we do matter to Him. He loves us so much He is willing to share a few tidbits to us about what we will see or have later on in life. The funny thing is, is that we don't even know when its coming and He surprises us with it.

Linda and I and our translator Fernando was invited to the pastors house to eat. The pastor had so many questions on our school and how things run and they even asked me how I liked it. It was hours again before we saw the rest of us. I love how South America loves to fellowship. ( I could get used to that.)

The next day we finally met up with Isaiah and Andrew in Vina del Mar. We had this wonderful time with the pastors from both Santiago and Vina del Mar at seafood restaurant and the beach. My favorite part though was being able to see one of the Chileans from our team to go with us to the beach. Claudia (the Chilean) Elyce and I had a wonderful time together on the beach just body surfing and hanging out like typical girls. I loved it! (Got a tan to prove it!)

The last day Fernando escorted us and took us to the market for last minute souvenir shopping. We spent all day doing that and even meeting up with another Chilean from our team who was the one who took many pictures. Ricardo (the Chilean) showed us many, many pictures and they brought back so many memories from Paraguay. Lastly we had to rush back to the church and grab our stuff and go. It was a sad, teary time. I myself am going to miss it in South America considering that most of my heart is still there. I have gained many new relatives and friends. I will never forget the time that God told us to go. I am so glad He did.

It is so amazing what God does when we obey his every command and do what He wants us to do when we do it in His timing. Thank you God for this life changing experience. I can not wait for the next chapter in my life to come. This truly was a dream come true. Love your daughter Alyssa (your little princess)