10 things I have done for the first time...

1. Travelled to Chile.
2. Walked in the Pacific Ocean.
3. Eaten horse (although I did not know at the time.) 4. Graffittied cars (albeit with permission)
5. Fly-posted.
6. Walked in a desert.
7. Attempted to speak in Spanish/Chilean.
8. Danced on a moving bus.
8b. Learnt (!) A traditional Chilean dance on a moving bus packed with more people than capacity allowed.
9. Made balloon dogs (and attempted a flower).
10. Read all the books I took with me!

What new things have you done in the last 3 weeks?

It also made me think about what the next 3 weeks might bring.

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Dia cero

Thus begins the start of the rest of our lives.

This was the conclusion to the final commissioning and thanksgiving service today.

There are no photos, as I was taking part and preaching. I will try and find some on facebook when I can, but they may not appear here.

We began with a map of Chile. We were all sat surrounding the image on the floor. One by one, as the rest of the young people sang together, the districts of MC Chile placed the city in which we lived and served on the map.

Victoria.

Coronel.

Rancagua.

Ovalle.

Antofagasta.

Alto hospicio, Iquique.

Santiago.

As each place was laid on the map, so the members of that district stepped forwards to pray together.

There were many tears.

Some of the group had to leave to get their transportation home at this point, and it was my privilege to lead a tearful tribute and prayer for their safe travelling.

We had the opportunity to share a few stories about how God was at work in the lives of the young people (which could have gone on forever!).

I took Esther as a text - a woman who:
1. Was the right person in the right place at the right time (how is God changing our character to be the right sort of person, and how many in the TUR knew that they were in the right place at the right time)

2. Was prepared to bide her time, waiting for the opportune moment. (How many of the TUR have been taught patience - not least of all in the middle of a desert.)

3. Surrounded herself with a support network. (How many now have 43 other TUR members who will shout on the sidelines for us, and how do we surround ourselves with people who will support and encourage us and who will tell the truth.)

4. Willing to pay a high cost for vocation (how many have discovered there is a cost to following God's call?)

5. Put God and God's people first. (How many have discovered this as a passion?)

All were invited to respond. It is good to note that some of the people who were in attendance included those who had made a connection with the group during the day's evangelism activities, and even some of these people responded.

Each member of the bus tour were given an envelope marking 'dia cero' - day zero. The translation was a little sketchy about this, due to tears and tiredness. But it seemed important emotionally!

We then concluded by piling out into the street singing the Fejumech anthem 'we will shine'.

Matt Redman once wrote a song with the lyric 'can a nation be changed? Can a nation be saved? Can a nation be turned back to you?'

Perhaps in Chile, the glimmer of an answer to this question is that 'yes' it can. And it does not need protests to do it.

It will be significant to see how 44 TUR members change the Church and the World in the next 40 years.

Dia cero.
The countdown begins.

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UNO evangelism.

This could be a long story. Today, a TUR member and I met a guy.

Probably late 40s. Quite suspect and significant blade injuries (some impossible to have been self inflicted.) Dressed head to foot in black. Black trainers, shorts, vest-hoody, and cap.

He was incredibly lonely, but my colleague developed such rapport as to be invited into his house.

Now, I know that one of my god-lessons is about judgements - but I really expected some sort of junkie squat in an abandoned building somewhere.

I was not far wrong.

We invited him to have lunch with us back at the church (I love Chilean hospitality which not only had enough, but offered him seconds once his first plate was finished. The lunch invitation an inspired idea by my colleague.

So the question then became, how to move from a meal to a conversation about Jesus again.

We played UNO.

The Chileans are amazed that a. I know the game, and that b. It is called UNO outside of Spanish speaking countries.

The guy had said that he did not have anyone beyond his dog and cat. UNO was a great equaliser.

So, I hereby defend UNO as an evangelistic tool.

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A final meal

Our final breakfast together, anyhew.

Inevitably, we slept little last night, preferring instead to serenade each other in the school playground into the early hours. This in itself was a beautiful way to begin to end well.

This morning, drowsy and yet somehow relaxed and excited about God's achievements, we sat down to eat together.

This is nothing new nor profound. We have done this every day for the last 16 days together.

What made today special was that today, we were to prepare our breakfast 'pan' (ham sandwich). As bread was broken, laughter and banter in abundance, and hot sweet tea our morning nectar, I could not help but think of the sacramentality of this moment.

Of broken lives transformed throughout the country.

Of young people on this TUR who have heard their calling.

Of leaders who have worked so hard, and now see this chapter drawing to a close.

Of the 'bread' of the Gospel scattered across the 2600km length of this country (and back again), and of hungry people receiving good news.

As we broke bread together this morning, and celebrated a new dawn - we are celebrating a new dawn in the lives of so many people.

'El tiempo es solo una forma de ordenar los acontecimientos.'

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Santiago 1

The final leg.

Santiago.

Presently, the sun is setting over yet another busy day.

We arrived at the school we're are sleeping in at around 10, and went to the church at the centre of our mission focus on bus number 4! (This change a planned one!)

From then, we prayed, marched, fly-posted, door to door evangelised and are now hosting the penultimate 'impact' event of the TUR.

This is the first location which we have been told to ba careful when we're on the streets - and it is the first place where women have been accompanied by men at all times (although there is still a machismo culture here which makes this more common than not.)

Having said this, my next 'first' was to walk to the local store and ask for and purchase a drink!

And if you are wondering about the grapes - they are growing here in the church, and taste great.

Here's hoping that the mission continues to bear much fruit, for those reached and more significantly for the members of the TUR.

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Copiapo

'Hold me'

The final words spoken in this town.

With much rest, and with much space for God to move, today was a reminder that this national tour is distinctive because of the International complexion. Today's contribution - a Brazilian missionary called Paulo. It was good to be with another non-spanish speaker. It was a shame he could only speak Portuguese.

Two days remain (with plans(!) already in place for our continuing mission work on day 17.

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