“THE PLUNGE”

The plunge. That vivid experience that happened to me just over 3 years ago was not quickly forgotten. Eyes bulging with stark terror, arms flailing in desperation, my body was plunged into the depths of the Amazon river due to an overzealous teen trying to initiate me to the Amazon region. Although I do not know how to swim, I “clawed” my way back to the dock.

The plunge. It happened to Dani, my wife, less than one week after handing in her last test that completed one year of Bible college. She was thrown into many unfamiliar waters as soon as she stepped onto American soil. Culture shock to the extreme was celebrating the 4th of July fireworks at Sea World after being in the US for a total of 6 hours! But my wife’s ever looming doctrinal exam threw a wet blanket on anything that wanted to be festive for the following long two weeks. My wife did a beautiful job on that fateful day, and we give all the credit to the Lord for sustaining us through that difficult time through the many prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ. THANK YOU!

“The plunge” was more than just the daunting doctrinal debut but also a diversified road trip that would have many any travel agent proud. My wife’s first time in America started off with putting 7,000 miles of road behind us in the last two months and slipping in and out of 14 different states and 10 different churches. From theme parks to cottonfields. From Georgia to Chicago. From air-conditioned luxury hotels to leaking tents. From the top of the St. Louis Arch to hidden river caves. It truly has been a cultural roller coaster ride.

Three years ago someone pushed me in to initiate me, but the amazing thing to me is that my wife “willingly” took the plunge. Although floundering at many times in her English, she continues to stay afloat. I am so proud of her, and also of all of you. My wife testified of her gratefulness around 4 days before the test. She said, “I know I need to be strong and continue on because of all those people who are behind me and praying for my doctrinal exam.”

Eyes bulging and arms flailing? Yah, at times, but it is so much easier taking “the plunge” because of YOU and YOUR prayers.

Serving Him,

Ben and Dani Jacobs