Q&A with Mom and Dad - EFO
As I’ve mentioned to a few of you in person, the month of February I will be out in Colombia for a staff conference for staff from all over Latin America. This conference happens every 3 years with the aim of training staff with tools for starting groups on campus, pastoral care, and many other things. Interestingly enough, my mom went to a similar event many moons ago! Here’s a little interview I had to ask her about her experience. Although some things have changed, I am honored to have been invited to participate and learn in an event that has been important for me and my family.
It was February 1994. Initially, it was only for Central America, but they made 2 exceptions, with me from Chile and Fanny from Argentina. They wanted to prepare me as a staff for the national office in Santiago and to be the administrator at the national level.
2. What are some similarities and differences between this EFO and the one you went to?
The theme is the same. I don't remember the literal name of the event, but it was also on the kingdom of God. It lasted 3 weeks, or so I remember and now it’s for 1 month. It was not called by acronyms and was called Staff Conference.
3. What were some highlights of the event?
The beautiful relationships and friendships that occurred amongst all of us. The laughter and jokes that Jorge Atiencia led us to have despite the cultural differences, with his beautiful personality. Yuni's baby who was loved by everyone. Most of our group then are now staff in their countries.
4. Where was the event and how was traveling?
It was in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was my 1st time traveling by plane. I came first for 5 days to Miami and it took me 17 hours to arrive. The plane almost stopped in every country! In the conference we suffered a lot when a brother from Colombia arrived and was arrested by the police at the airport. They could not understand why he came without money. Thankfully, our authorities were able to go help him get released. I was welcomed by a family that was very affectionate and took care of me, when I arrived earlier and left a few days later.
5. What were lessons or skills learned that were of impact to your life?
The tension of some truths such as the Kingdom of God and Salvation, because they were, are and will be. I also enjoyed learning the different ways that each country had of doing Bible study. I also learned of the different needs in each country, and the similarities between all of us. I learned that in Costa Rica the donors were called “investors”, and I could learn and exchange ideas regarding fundraising for the ministry. I was shocked to know that each of us has a story, wounds that mark us, and that the kingdom of God comes to dwell and heal. As leaders and staff, we would be bearers of that hope, creating communities of love for the new generations that would grow up without families, without love, with wounds, looking for oases in universities and we would be those oases.
1. What was EFO's significance in your life?
EFO's significance is marked by Cecilia's participation before we got married. EFO is an event that finds its participants at a crossroads. This was the case for us. Cecilia had the chance to continue with the student ministry or to come to Miami to start a family. Both were very important decisions. While becoming a staff would have been a good decision, I am glad she came to Miami.
2. Although mom's plans changed, what were things that didn’t?
Her commitment to reaching others to Christ, her love for scripture and bible studies, and her hospitality to anyone wanting to know more about God. Even though her plans changed, everything she learned as a student and in EFO was used with the local InterVarsity group at FIU, in church, and in a group of women who met weekly in our house for 3 years. As a family, we have been the most blessed of this experience, so much in fact, that you are now returning to serve!
3. What are your thoughts in sending me to EFO?
When I was a student serving as a leader in GBUCH, I oversaw missions. As a family, we have been living a missions-driven life. I am personally touched and honored to send you back to Chile and to experience EFO. This is a new era for overseas missions and I know this will be a first of many of these experiences for us and for many more in the future.
Mom:
1. You went to an EFO a few years ago, what year was it and why were you invited?It was February 1994. Initially, it was only for Central America, but they made 2 exceptions, with me from Chile and Fanny from Argentina. They wanted to prepare me as a staff for the national office in Santiago and to be the administrator at the national level.
2. What are some similarities and differences between this EFO and the one you went to?
The theme is the same. I don't remember the literal name of the event, but it was also on the kingdom of God. It lasted 3 weeks, or so I remember and now it’s for 1 month. It was not called by acronyms and was called Staff Conference.
3. What were some highlights of the event?
The beautiful relationships and friendships that occurred amongst all of us. The laughter and jokes that Jorge Atiencia led us to have despite the cultural differences, with his beautiful personality. Yuni's baby who was loved by everyone. Most of our group then are now staff in their countries.
4. Where was the event and how was traveling?
It was in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was my 1st time traveling by plane. I came first for 5 days to Miami and it took me 17 hours to arrive. The plane almost stopped in every country! In the conference we suffered a lot when a brother from Colombia arrived and was arrested by the police at the airport. They could not understand why he came without money. Thankfully, our authorities were able to go help him get released. I was welcomed by a family that was very affectionate and took care of me, when I arrived earlier and left a few days later.
5. What were lessons or skills learned that were of impact to your life?
The tension of some truths such as the Kingdom of God and Salvation, because they were, are and will be. I also enjoyed learning the different ways that each country had of doing Bible study. I also learned of the different needs in each country, and the similarities between all of us. I learned that in Costa Rica the donors were called “investors”, and I could learn and exchange ideas regarding fundraising for the ministry. I was shocked to know that each of us has a story, wounds that mark us, and that the kingdom of God comes to dwell and heal. As leaders and staff, we would be bearers of that hope, creating communities of love for the new generations that would grow up without families, without love, with wounds, looking for oases in universities and we would be those oases.
Dad:
1. What was EFO's significance in your life?
EFO's significance is marked by Cecilia's participation before we got married. EFO is an event that finds its participants at a crossroads. This was the case for us. Cecilia had the chance to continue with the student ministry or to come to Miami to start a family. Both were very important decisions. While becoming a staff would have been a good decision, I am glad she came to Miami.
2. Although mom's plans changed, what were things that didn’t?
Her commitment to reaching others to Christ, her love for scripture and bible studies, and her hospitality to anyone wanting to know more about God. Even though her plans changed, everything she learned as a student and in EFO was used with the local InterVarsity group at FIU, in church, and in a group of women who met weekly in our house for 3 years. As a family, we have been the most blessed of this experience, so much in fact, that you are now returning to serve!
3. What are your thoughts in sending me to EFO?
When I was a student serving as a leader in GBUCH, I oversaw missions. As a family, we have been living a missions-driven life. I am personally touched and honored to send you back to Chile and to experience EFO. This is a new era for overseas missions and I know this will be a first of many of these experiences for us and for many more in the future.
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