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Venezuela—Linda
After arriving in Venezuela, the Christensens spent much of their time
studying Spanish and the Venezuelan culture. Timmy had his first
birthday celebration before their arrival. Life was busy for them, but
it was also exciting to have finally arrived on the foreign mission
field after so many years of formal training. Tom was able to spend a
lot of time in town, practicing his Spanish with the local shopkeepers
and the many new friends that he was making. His study time each day
seemed to go by quickly. However, Linda, was required to study 8 hours
a day as well, while caring for an active baby/toddler at her side. Tom
and Linda had agreed only to speak Spanish in their home, even before
going to Venezuela, so many of Timmy's first words were uttered in
Spanish.
Just three weeks on the field, Linda came down with a severe case of
dysentery, which immediately sent her to the local hospital. Her
hospital room was quite a shock as the cucarachas (cockroaches)
raced up and down the walls each night. After spending three days and
nights in the hospital, she knew to be more careful about what she ate
from the local market, and did not want foods which were handled by
storekeepers' unwashed hands.
Tom and Linda were on the field for only 8 months when a telephone call
from Linda's parents in Chicago began a sequence of life-changing
events.
Linda's youngest brother had suddenly died. What a shock! They were
delayed in flying back home for the funeral because of Holy Week
(Easter), but eventually were able to get to Chicago. Sadly, they
missed Danny's funeral by just one day. Her sadness at not seeing him again on this earth was
great. However, the Christensens did get to see most of Tom's family
and Linda's family, besides the privilege of being at the North Side
Gospel Center for a service.
Back in Venezuela, they once again resumed their Spanish study. They
were excited that that their formal Spanish study was now almost
completed and they were eagerly making plans to begin their ministry
with the Piaroa Indians.
As
part of his language study, Tom was required to work at a local
bodega (little store) for a week. His job was to haul 100 lb bags
of rice, flour, etc. all day long. After two days of this, Tom was so
exhausted that Linda suggested that they swap jobs. "They can't make me
carry such heavy loads," she told Tom. Little did she know that within
a few hours, something would happen that would change their lives
forever.
Continue...
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