Potatoes. But first a Baptism.

Last night the team took to the boat and river right at three minutes after midnight. This was preceded by a remarkable event - as told by Don in his e-mail to Debbie:

We are having a wonderful time. The team is clearly loving each and every moment. We had communion at church and I simul-translated the sermon. The Brazilians are loving our members, laughing and hugging incessantly. Hudson (Augusto’s baby) left the house for the very first time in his 4-month life today. He spent 65 days in the hospital and 40 days in quarantine at home. I got to translate his baptism and introduce communion. It was a very special time. 

Tim checked in tonight (thank you Pastor Augusto!) Today (Monday) the team set out to their first village via Rio Negro. Deb Beaver and family did crafts with school children. The eyes of God. Anyone know that one? When the overcast sky gave way to a full furnace blast of sun, a jump into the river saved the day. Tim spent time working in the pharmacy and then "grunt work; whatever was needed." He sounded pleased and full. In the same way Don's email was full with the baptism of Hudson and introducing communion.

I was reminded of my friend Win who learned how to be in the moment by peeling potatoes. (Actually, potatoes once saved her. ) "You just peel one potato, and then you peel the next potato. That's what you're doing - peeling potatoes." On our rare sacramental days, we encounter holiness in the baptism of a beautiful premie baby - his first look out at a world beyond his parents. The rest of the time we enter holiness through potatoes - doing what the moment calls for with satisfaction and fullness. And then doing some more. Every member of Team One is peeling potatoes: running scripts, filling scripts, moving stuff, entertaining kids, looking into adult's ears and children's' mouths.   Ordinary work done with full and willing spirits, holy hands,  in this very special time.