eXchange

Today was our day trip to Antigua, which was a welcome relief from the high emotion of yesterday.  We took the bus to the city, stopping in the jade factory for a tour, lunch with a lovely view of a volcano, and shopping in the market.  I made friends with Florinda, a woman with a business in the market.  One of our translators (Edwin) helped me get a bargain, and I brought as many of my amigos over to visit Florinda as I could muster.  There was much laughing on the bus and concern over who was getting the better bargain.

Community was deepened today, and we talked about that at supper a bit.  Amy mentioned that she knew who Ezra was from eXchange, but may not have ever developed a friendship with him if not for this trip.  She talked about how thankful she was for that opportunity to know him.  And Jennifer recalled that she and I had met Ezra for the first time about a year ago at a Habitat for Humanity Crash in West Terre Haute.  Now we know one another much better, more truly, and can see this as a wonderful fruit of this experience.  I’m so thankful for the chance to have met Joanna, and I don’t think we’d have connected if not for this trip.  She has brought such blessing to my week, on top of the other blessings poured out.  New friendships have been made and are deeply rooted in a shared experience and a common passion.  This is what we talk about when we say that community happens on the way to cause. 

-Jody