Adios

She's gone.

I hugged my sister good-bye and back she went to South America yesterday. Of course, yesterday was also the day American Airlines chose to ground a certain type of plane, thereby cancelling the first leg of her flight! It's a long day under the best of circumstances as she has to fly to Dallas and then Miami before her final destination. They got her rescheduled pretty quickly, but by the time she was in Miami, the entire AA network was a mess, and her flight out of Miami was 2 hours late leaving.

But she made it safely there, and after leaving our house just before 7:00 a.m., she made it home about midnight. Nothing like coming home rested from vacation!

Meanwhile, I've had a rock in my midsection ever since she's been gone, missing her. I know, I know! What an oxymoron I am! Can't live with her, can't live without her!

We were talking with my pastor on Sunday about some of the dangers she faces, including the armed robberies she has experienced, and the fact that she was making sure that I know where all of her important papers, passwords, etc. are kept in case something happens to her. I told the pastor (in my sister's presence!) that it seems like there could be a happy medium between her being in my spare bedroom and being killed!

It's easy to banter about the situation, but the reality is that each time I tell her good-bye, it is in the back of my mind that it could be the last time. That's true for any of us, of course, but living in a dangerous, impoverished, and politically corrupt third-world country (which borders one known for its drug trade) raises the risk.

Do I trust God to take care of her? Absolutely! But I also know that His promises are for His presence and eternal safety and His glory. Physical comfort and safety are not necessarily guaranteed. Just ask the apostles or any of a long list of those who have been martyred for their faith.

And yeah, I beat the socks off of her in Scrabble. But the victory wasn't as sweet as I anticipated. Because we have never had such a lopsided marathon. And I worry that the effect of living in such a high-alert, tense situation is beginning to take its toll on her.

Of course, I wasn't worried enough to "throw" the game! What would be the honor in that?! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. . . . .

So if you think about it, please pray for her and for all the missionaries serving around the world. And the ones back home who love them could use a little prayer too.