Skype in the Jungle

For the first time since he left the country two weeks ago, I got to talk to my older brother via Skype. He's serving for two years as a missionary in the South American country of Suriname, and for some reason he's got a really great internet connection in the jungle. Go figure!

Several times in the past few weeks, I've worried myself awake in the early mornings, wondering if he was okay in a place full of piranhas, malaria and perhaps Amazonian hostility. I just prayed that God would strengthen him and guard him from danger.

From our hour-long chat, I learned his 100-mile boat ride bore an uncanny resemblance to Disneyland's jungle cruise, he encountered a real viper and came out just fine, and he's being chewed out by his partners for chewing with his mouth open (it's a vice I've been trying to rid him of for years).

It was great to talk with him and compare our cross-cultural experiences. He told me he feels like he's exactly in the middle of God's will for his life right now, and I'm thrilled about what's ahead.

To check out his experiences, see his blog at http://ryansrindels@blogspot.com He promised some pics and video would be up tonight -- let's see if it happens!