January 30, 2004

Sun burnt, and worn-out from the countless battles I lost with the over-powering ocean waves, I now sit greatly pleased with the wonderfully fun day that God blessed me with.

            After spending the last four days getting my resident visa in Chile and in Lima-34 of those hours finding me on a bus-our whole team left after breakfast this morning for the beach!

            I felt the warm sand beneath my feet and between my toes. Smelt the salt of the sea so strongly that it seemed to rise from the water to chase after me. Heard the crashing of the waves as they rolled in from the other side of the world to beat against the sides of the rocks. Saw a school of dolphins swim back-and-forth; jumping in perfect arches, like they were following the path of a rainbow. Tasted the floor of the ocean each time the waves threw me down to the bottom only to twist, turn, slam, and flip me before bringing me to the surface for air. I basically spent the day enjoying and celebrating God's beautiful creation with all my senses.

            Our team rode the waves with boogie-boards and without, threw the Frisbee, sat and talked, read, built sand-castles, and caught a few more rays than we should have. Nearly every moment found me in the water. Like I said, it was a wonderfully fun day; a day to remember.