It was difficult leaving the team at the airport yesterday. OJ brought me back to the hotel in a taxi that got stuck in evening traffic. I just sat and prayed for a safe flight for the team. I went to bed early, following a hamburger on the roof, thinking about being in Rio alone. That didn't seem to bother me because I slept eleven hours.
After some cereal and coffee this morning I pulled up themjournal and read all the entries, my first time to see and read all the team's comments and your responses. My heart is still overflowing with gratitude for all God did in the lives of our team.
I had a surprise call from "Edge" (translator) when I returned to my room. He was in the lobby waiting to take me to see Pastor Douglas, avpastor I worked with three years ago with a basketball team. Bob & Theresa took Edge and me to the favela to see if we could find Pastor Douglas and "Maria". So many of you have heard me talk bout Maria, a young woman who prayed with me to receive Christ during that last trip. I wrote a special story about her and have wanted to see her again. I brought an enlarged photo of that moment in her life captured by Paul Chenoweth three years ago. My prayer was that I could find her, remember the experience with her, and give her the photo.
To make a long story (morning) short, I FOUND MARIA and had a sweet reunion with her and her daughter. She lives near the new church that was born out of a seed planted by our team 3 years ago on that little hilltop with the small outdoor basketball court nearby. Maria's daughter was there and yelled "Betty" when she saw me. And, there stood Maria!! What a heavenly moment for me! Her smile said it all. After a period of time she went inside her home and brought our her newborn son, Marcos. I held him and prayed for Maria and her three children, along with Pastor Douglas and the new church start that stood nearby. The smile on Maria's face will remain vivid to me for years to come. She took the photo and the other gifts I brought her. It was difficult to say "goodbye" again, but God had granted me the desire of my heart - to see Maria again.
I now know why I had this "off" day in Rio by myself. It was a divine appointment and I am so grateful to God for this special blessing. I walked three blocks to McDonald's and had a late lunch. Now, Í'll settle in the room, read, pray, and have some down time before going to the airport tomorrow morning with Sharon to greet the medical team from my church. It will be good to welcome some of my dearest friends to Rio and share ministry with them.
I was glad to read that the team arrived safely, in spite of the close connection in Houston. God is good. He even holds planes for us in airports. Wish I could hear each team member sharing with family and friends their experiences.
Blessings from RIO!,
BW