May 12, 1987 - laughter

May 12, 1987 Bogota, Columbia
Warm & Sunday

"But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me". -- Pslam 13:5 & 6

This morning after we dropped off Ruthie and Johnny at the nursery, I went with Joseph to Los Andes University while he took his mid-term exam. It's a beautiful campus on the hillside Afterwards we had an Arepa & Gaseosa. Then we went to Banco de Bogota to pick up our transfer. It only takes them 3 days to get the transfer but it takes them 10 days to give it to us. How frustrating, to say it nicely.

Anyway, this month’s transfer was $1,800, $500 for Lyle, totaling in $2,300 and 50,000 in Pesos. Joseph hadn't anticipated how large the pile of cash would be so he got frustrated and started stuffing money in his pockets. He turned around to walk out and stepped over the rope that separates the lines, and the rope fell. He tried to pick it up but it was broken so he awkwardly handed it to the security guard. \The clerk called him back to get the rest of his money (a few loose bills), he got then the clerk called him back to get a loose coins. By this time many people at the Bank were smiling and looking at the Gringo. We walked out and Joseph hailed the first cab he saw. We get in and he immediately starts to unload the money into my bag. I've never been so shook up, he reached into his pocket and pulled out 200 pesos for the Taxi Driver. We then went to go pay the girls tuition and then went to Burger King. Joseph placed his order and the girl behind the counter said: "I'm sorry we're out of hamburgers, would you like a Chicken sandwich instead"?

Well, the spirit of joy came over me and I laughed till I cried. Whoever heard of Burger King not having not having any burgers?! Ha! Thank you Don Crooks, for your prayers. Anyway, we made it home. At 9pm I called Daddy to wish him a Happy Birthday, Jack & Betsy had just been there to deliver the fruit basket and book I had asked them to get for him. They were a bit emotional but it was good to talk to them. They really seem to be doing well l and growing with the Lord. At 11:49pm Dan Immel called and we talked for almost an hour. He will be coming to Columbia on June 12th for 2 weeks. After his call, I got the giggles again and laughed till 2am.

NOTE from JOSEPH: I remember this well. It was traumatizing ... but later it was hilarious Humor is SO essential for dealing with the stress of cross-cultural adaptation!