Colombian Christian Mission

COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle prairie of Southeastern Colombia.
Volume 7, Issue 9 September, 1979

(PHOTO)

"Country Roads Take Me Home"
Chuck holes and mud characterize travel here. After going as far as possible by bus, Dale walked 2 1/2 hours to get to Rincon De Bolivar.

THE BITTERSWEET BLESSING OF HAVING A CAR

As most of you know, we don't own a car. It has been over six years now since we first left for the mission field. We drove our van to Costa Rica but had to sell it in Panama, as it proved to be impossible to bring it into Colombia. For the next year we hoofed it or rode bicycles everywhere we went. Then we bought a motorbike. That little motorcycle served us will for the next 3 years. After we moved out of the jungle, I began to realize how dangerous they can be. The close call I had when the car hit me, motivated me to sell it. So once again we were back to where we had started. We walked or rode buses down town. I made all of my trips out on the local buses too. Yet as I sat around for 4 or 5 hours waiting for the bus, I could not help but dream of having a car. The U.S. $15,000 price tag that a jeep carries here made the wishful thinking seem an impossible dream. Still, the Walter Mitty in us all, has a way of comforting an otherwise dire outlook.
Then, it was time for Mark Stringer's furlough. As his departure approached, he began to consider the disposition of his car. Leaving it in a garage had the disadvantage of leading to rusting body and sticking motors. He graciously offered to loan it to us if we would maintain it, plus pay a small mileage fee. Needless to say we snapped up the offer. All of our dreams had come true. We could now go on a family picnic. We would no longer have to fight the crowds on a lurching bus as we struggled to get home with arms full of grocery sacks. The long hours of waiting in the remote country road, in hopes of getting a rider, were over. The kids thought it was great to ride in a car. It was nice not to have to walk 3 miles to get home after the church services were over and the buses were no longer running. We revered in sheer joy at the freedom that having a car brings.
Then came time to balance our books and send in the monthly accounting. We were shocked back to reality by the red ink. Our budget had never been too free. It is easy to forget just how much it does cost to run and maintain an old car. Our budget had never been too free. But having the car tightened a noose around it. It seemed as if every month the car would need new tires, or a brake job, just as the last of the money ran out. We did not want to sacrifice any project or work just to ride in a car. So we began to drive less. We often leave the car set for several days a week. If a major repair became necessary just as the month is ending we wait until the next month to have it fixed. Still the car has been a real blessing to us. We have enjoyed doing things as a family and I have appreciated the convenience of freedom that it gives me in the work.
Now, Mark Stringer is almost due back from furlough. We will be glad to have him back. But somehow I don't look forward to Walter Mitty's return. It seems all to easy to get accustomed to the convenience that a car brings. I will have to slow down my tempo in doing the visitation. Trips on a local bus are far more tiring than in the car. Some of the nearby towns that we have been working in will have to be put on the back burner. But in the end, our work does not depend entirely on the luxury and convenience of a car. It depends on Jesus Christ who gives us the deep concern for those who have never heard the good News; and it depends on you who share with us in such a loving, caring way.


SO LONG SUMMER VISITOR

One of the real pleasures of missionary life is the chance to get to meet so many of God's children. The family that is made up of all true Christians is large indeed. When we traveled in the States on our last furlough we were continually surprised by the tremendous outpouring of hospitality and Christian love wherever we traveled or stayed. That pleasure is not limited to furlough however. Here in Colombia we have a steady trickle of American Christians who come to visit. Many stay for a couple of months. (If we include the Colombian brethren that come, the trickle would be counted as a torrent) Ken Gardener is an American College student who spent the summer with us. He was converted by the Navigators and then was baptized through the Campus House ministries on his campus. Throughout four years of college he worked actively with them. As he finished up his degree requirements he began to look for ways in which to serve the Lord in a fuller way.
He came across our recruiting literature for the intern program, and soon was making plans to spend the summer in Colombia. Soon after arriving in here he began to visit the churches with me. He made the trip with some Colombian brethren out into the jungle around the San Jose region. He also got to visit the Wycliff base out here in the prairie region. On top of that he performed many other helpful jobs around here. During the summer, Ken organized our Theological Education by Extension courses into a useful form and stamped addresses on our tracts and other literature.
Wendy was happy to begin Kindergarten with a "real live teacher." Ken taught her three months of the course in the two months that he was here. He helped in many other ways too. He pumped water during his entire stay, thus relieving me of a half hour of boring routine. (We don't have an electric pump. All water is pumped by hand from an underground cistern to a tank on the rook of the house.) Ken took off yesterday to head for the States. We enjoyed having him. During his entire stay he always displayed an eagerness to serve. We wish him the best as he completes his student teaching. Wherever he works, he will be an asset to the Lord's kingdom.