We Made It...

Hey Everyone;

This is Phil again. I am sorry that I did not post a message before we left. But, we have made it to Playa Ancha, Chile. It is near a town called Valparaiso, just north of Santiago. The flight went very well and we didn´t have any BIG problems getting through customs. Our ride was on time and waiting so we boarding two vans and drove about three hours north through the country. The land looked a bit like Nevada, it was pretty open but there was more green. We drove past a smal airport and some huge vineyards. The roads are very maintained and we drove on the right side of the road. We stopped to grab some water and a coke and were able to see one of the many Christian schools that Pastor Steve Phillips has started.

The drive in Viña Del Mar (Yeah, the keyboard that I am using has a ¨ñ¨ key. I have to get one of these!!!) was beautiful. It is a city on the ocean and there was a beach that rivals any that I have seen in L.A. The road up to Playa Ancha was very steep but a lot of fun. We have been very surprised at how modern things are where we are staying. We are by no means ¨roughing it¨and we are very safe. We ate a large lunch at Pastor Santiago´s home but I do not know what it is called. We had a salad with lettuce (letuga), corn (maize, I think), and tomato (tomate). There were home-made rolls and plenty of pepsi to drink. Then, we ate a soup dish with chicken, potatoes, and squash. It was very delicious.

After lunch, we all get set up in our host homes and the went to the 7:00 pm church service. Though we were tired from our travels it was an awesome service. It lasted almost three hours and we had a few nodding heads, but I can´t wait to do it again. The worship was great and there were a few songs that we knew. We were able to introduce the team and present the church with a cross from Summit. I gave a testimony and then we sat down to hear a message from Hebrews 12:1-3. It was in Spanish but I am sure that it was awesome!!!

We are going to bed and I just want to thank you again for all of your prayers. Keep them up and you will hear from us soon. We are tired but ready to begin the work that we came to do.

Phil