Ronda Schmidt Just another weblog 
Memories came rushing to my mind as I sat in the dark Sunday night. Beginning Friday afternoon, Missouri experienced one of the worst ice storms in the state’s history.
Here at MTC we were all fine since everyone had been to town to stock up on supplies. We knew if the storm did what was predicted we weren’t going to be able to get out anytime soon. Saturday passed without incident and so did Sunday until mid afternoon with only 5 minutes left in the game between the Seahawks and the Bears. I have to say it wasn’t the most convenient time for the electricity to go but it did anyway. By early evening on Monday we were pleasantly surprised when the lights came back on as we were expecting it would be at least Wednesday before the power company could get to this part of the Lake area.
As I was lighting the oil lamp and candles, memories of my life with the Embera in Panama came rushing back – showers by lantern light, eating and reading by candlelight, ready to go to bed by 7 PM (what else is there to do when it’s pitch black outside?), listening to the radio for news from the outside world, etc.
The darkness also reminded me of the many indigenous groups who live in spiritual darkness because they have not had the opportunity to hear that Jesus Christ came as the light of the world. The new semester was to begin on January 15 but due to the ice storm students were not able to make it to the Training Center so classes will begin January 22. Will you pray for us as we train these folks to take the Gospel to very dark places in the world and that people’s hearts would be prepared to hear of the redemptive work of Christ. Pray also that as they have the opportunity to hear what Christ has done for them that they would choose to live in the light and leave the darkness behind.
(To see more pictures of the ice storm click on Photos).
