TAME | VB | Chile - Recap 2

Sophomore McKenzie Mansell provided Sunday’s recap from the ETBU Volleyball’s TAME trip to Chile. 

“Day two in Chile started off with our group driving to Pucón, which is about two hours away from Temuco.  We walked around downtown looking at stores before attending church at First Baptist Church Pucón.  The church service consisted of a meet and greet, where we got to meet all the church member, from young kids to elders of the church.  We worshipped to about five songs in Spanish scattered throughout the service.  Madi Chandler and Maddison Harris gave their testimonies.  Maddison shared her testimony about her experience coming to truly know Christ on her own while attending college and realizing her worth was not in volleyball or what people thought of her, but who she was in Christ.  Madi gave her testimony about how she truly found the Lord at her lowest point.  She stated that God was constantly pursuing her and she just had to open up her heart to His love. 

Dr. Blackburn preached a message over the prodigal son in Luke 15.  He made it evident that God never stops loving us, even when we walk away, he embraces us with a loving and forgiving heart.  Many people were touched by the testimonies and Dr. Blackburn’s message, some wanting to mend relationships between children and parents and asking for prayer. 

After the service we ate at a local Italian restaurant, where we fellowshipped over a good and filling meal then headed outside of to visit the hot springs.  The hot springs were located in the mountains and had the best views.  We spent our time adventuring the river, hiking trails to see waterfalls, and swimming in the hot springs. We spent about two hours swimming, relaxing and laughing with each other before going to dinner. The resort served us salad, steak, and mashed potatoes then ended our meal with a delicious pudding. 

On the way home we stopped at a gas station and tried new ice cream, cookies and chocolate. Everyone loved the vanilla cookies.  We ended our long, yet relaxing day with a debrief and prayer at the hotel. We love this country and these people and we are truly blessed to be here!”