Life: an adventure, a journey with Jesus

Fishing!

My brother and I used to enjoy Thursday evenings when we were kids. It was a special day because our Nana went shopping with Mom during the day and then stayed at our house, so when we came home from school, she was there visiting. Grandpa came home from work to our house and we all had dinner together. Then Grandpa would take David and I fishing. Sometimes I would just feed the fish, being of so careful to be quiet so I would not scare them away from the real fishermen! Not so sure I really liked fishing that much, but I sure did like being with Grandpa, and Thursdays were just the greatest day of the week in my opinion. Of course, it really helped that Grandpa always found his way to Dairy Queen on our way home from the pond. It was a weekly tradition I remember, oh so many, many years later. We scurried and got ready for bed and closed out the evening watching a television program together before our grandparents went home.

However, here in Peru we have not been fishing with a rod and bobber! We have been fishers of children through the AWANA program. And, Saturday afternoon is the BIG day here for that fishing activity. It’s a weekly tradition. Clubs meet and children are reeled in through the games and fun offered. They are offered a bite of the Word of God and many are taking it in and coming back for more. Sunday two clubs meet and the reports are the very same. Hungry little ones coming back to be fed.

But this last week, I went fishing by myself for a little while. We were really feeling the blues being away from family and friends with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Knowing this was just the beginning of the season where families spend so much time together, I realized we needed to find a way to beat the blues. In the past I had tried to get on line to hear the FISH radio station, but had not been successful when we were in Arequipa. This particular day, I decided to try again.

What a fantastic moment when I connected online and heard a live radio program. The voices were oh, so familiar. It was even a joy to recognize the advertisers! Mike Stoudt was programming the hour that I found the FISH. I even called him on our magic jack and soon after hanging up he was playing a song for us! Ahh……

It is strange to think that I would be so excited about hearing a live weather report from Atlanta. But what it did was bring us back home as long as I was on line with the radio station. We listened to the FISH all day. Then suddenly I decided to see if I could connect with the FISH in California. Some of you know where I’m going with this story….

David Benzing, a family friend, and peer of our girls, is a DJ on the evening program. He is known as Big Dave Wave. We spent many good times with his family as our kids were all teenagers in the same youth group. Those days will always be special. And, now I was about to attempt a contact that would take us back over 20 years. I called the station and sure enough he answered the phone and we had a great time reconnecting there on line. We listened to him til we headed for bed. Ahh…..

Today, we are hearing the FISH all Christmas music programming. Best part is it’s in ENGLISH! For a few minutes we forget where we are and the distance that separates us. Many of you have heard me say before (or have read what I’ve written) that technology is great – when it works! We are so thankful for online listening as we have enjoyed and been challenged by our own pastor’s sermons over the past few months, and to a few other ‘well known’ preachers, but now we have the FISH as well. Thank you Lord, for the internet.