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November 1977 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
Colombia, South America
Volume 5, Issue 11 November, 1977
(PHOTO)
Brethren at Centerville present $1,400 for airplane fund.
Even the small girls spend time cooking over a wood fire.
GETTING SETTLED AGAIN
Our second trip to Colombia was much easier than the first. There was no 23 days on the road, or one year in Costa Rica. We drove to Cleveland Hopkins airport and caught a plane at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 25. At 1:30 we landed in Miami. There we had a four hour layover. We boarded an Avianca plane at 5:30 and continued south. By 6 o'clock the tropical night began to set in. Shortly thereafter we began to see the lights of the Colombian coast. At 7:30 p.m. we crossed the last mountain peaks. Spread out below us was a massive display of lights. The huge city of Bogota covered the plateau, as we landed it started to rain.
We lined our three suitcases, two trunks, and a backpack up on the Customs table. We nervously awaited as the official rummaged through our suitcases. To our surprise, he passed everything without question. I went outside and caught a cab. We made our way through the confusion that characterizes Bogota. We were wet and tired after a long trip and loaded the luggage in the rain and headed for an economical hotel in the city. Yet it was such a relief to have the trip out of the way that we were almost overcome with emotion.
The next day we got up early and headed for D.A.S. There we registered and filled out the necessary papers for a new cedula or identification card. We managed to get everything done by noon. Once back at the hotel I called Carl Hines. Much to our surprise, Mark Stringer had driven up to Bogota to meet us. We loaded up the jeep and, after a few errands were on our way.
Once down in Villavicencio we moved into the storage room again. Finding a house proved far more difficult than I had anticipated. After several days of looking, we finally found a small three bedroom house. After several days of unpacking things began to shape up. After a month of living out of suitcases, it was a real relief to settle down.
No sooner had we gotten to our house then guests began coming. We had two of the brethren from San Jose spend a week with us. I had an opportunity to begin immediately with the work. There was a preachers meeting that same week. I taught class in the restoration of the New Testament Church.
Immediately after his conference, I packed my bags and headed off to San Jose del Guaviare. It was a real thrill to visit with all of the brethren after such a long absence. I spent almost a week in San Jose. I visited with every family in the church. We dealt with several important problems. Hopefully, things will go better now. Several made commitments to get active in the church again and the troublemaker promised not to stir things up. I will see how things are going in another month.
Our first month was extremely busy. Yet it was great. It is such a thrill to be back about the Lord's work here in Colombia. We are filled with anticipation and excitement when we think of the months ahead.