Trip to Chile, Volume One

First of all I want to thank our generous friends from the churches in the Great Rivers Region for providing scholarship funds that allowed at least 12 women pastors from Central America the opportunity to travel, learn and stand alongside one another in Chile.

This February I had the opportunity to visit Chile for 12 days and see God at work in and through his people there. Pastor Ruth Vindas (from the Cinco Esquinas Church) and I were able to represent Costa Rica in the Fourth Annual Conference for Women Pastors of Central America, celebrated in conjunction with the ordination of the first woman to be ordained in the Chilean Baptist Churches there.  Before the conference we had the blessing of visiting with and living among the indigenous “Mapuche” Christians who live in the Seven Lakes region of southern Chile.  Because of so many significant events and memories from my time there, this Baits’ update will be in three parts. This first installment will be a quick summary of the highlights from the trip. The second a specific experience where I felt God’s presence teaching me a valuable life lesson. And in the third installment I will share experiences from the ordination service of Chilean pastor, Margarita Campos.

Highlights of trip:

1.    Seeing first hand the work and positive influence of our International Ministries colleagues Dwight and Barbara Bolick, Sheila Heneise, and Carlos and Mayra Bonilla.

It was an amazing privilege to stay in the home of one of Chile’s best weavers who also happens to be a good friend of the Bolicks. Barbara and Dwight have encouraged their Mapuche friends to honor their roots in language and traditional art forms. Patty, along with other Mapuche women, continues her ancient weaving art and makes it available for others to enjoy.  As we worshiped together a small choir sang in their native tongue and it was an unforgettable experience for all of us. Hearing the stories of how Sheila had impacted and influenced the lives of the women in ministry in Chile was a highlight for me because I could experience the joy of her seeing the results of years of hard work and investment finally bearing fruit. I was humbled to be in the company of colleagues who served with International Ministries and were faithful to Christ’s call to make disciples of all nations. I was only able to connect with Carlos and Mayra for a few minutes at Margarita’s ordination, but as I spent time with the rector of the Theological Institute and the women who are taking seminary classes that Carlos and Mayra coordinate. I could see God’s hand continue to work through International Ministries' partnership in leadership development.

2.    Sharing table with Chilean and Mapuche sisters and brothers in Christ.

We were hosted by two wonderful families who opened up their homes and dinner tables to provide us both physical and spiritual nutrition. Our table conversations were full of stories of real life pain as well as amazing glimpses of God’s faithful love and power. We felt as if we had a place at the table and left feeling full of hope and part of the larger family of Christ.

3.    Extended time for fun, mutual support and encouragement with other women in ministry, especially my Costa Rican friend, Pastor Ruth Vindas.

Spending nearly two weeks with 19 other women pastors was a true adventure.  We sensed a common call, laughed late into the night and shared both the joys and frustrations of ministry in a broken and unfinished world.  We shared personal stories and made new memories.

The terrain of Chile reminded me over and over again of the Northwest United States where we have a home when not living in Costa Rica. The gift of creation and God’s family reach from Washington State to the bottom of Chile, from the west to the east and all points in between. I give thanks to God for the blessings of travel and relationships built across cultural boundaries. I learned more about myself and God’s larger family along the way. I continue to be surprised by how God’s people throughout the world find ways to be creatively faithful in bringing Good News to the ends of the earth.