This morning, an older lady with
her grown-up daughter and four of her granddaughters arrived to worship with
us. Crecencia and her family had never
come on a Sunday morning, but they do know this church family well. A group from my home church completed a lot
of work for her earlier this year, and she has become very special to the
hearts of so many. When I come to meet
people like Crecencia, I feel as though the Gospel becomes more real—like I didn’t
really understand it before.
During my time with the teenagers this morning, we studied 1 Samuel 3 and discussed how to communicate with God. At the end, I asked them how they would like to be praying for each other. One 17-year old simply asked for food.
About 23 kilometers down the mountains, there is a small town with a severely broken church. Recently the preacher (who has since then left) started calling every individual person out by their sins, explaining to them that they could not take communion until those specific faults were fixed. Some have said they will never go back to any church ever again.
As I’ve already mentioned, there’s a lady here of Chinese descent, whose husband had to pay a lofty sum to marry her. She said the two sets of parents argued over a fair price because, according to her family, she was worth a lot—according to his, not so much.
Antonio needs food, some lost believers need to be found, and one woman needs to know that she is invaluable, that her Father bought her already, and that He paid for her with His life.
As we do life with the people here in El Valle, they understand the Good News. Unlike Michael Yaconelli’s description of modern-day American believers, here the Gospel is actually life-changing, not merely life-enhancing.
This morning, Crecencia walked with her family for two hours through the mountains in order to get to the nearest church-goers’ home on time, who then drove them the rest of the way. They didn’t have the necessary few dollars for a bus ride, and they had no food money for today. But they walked. And they walked.
Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness so much that I would cross mountains just to meet with a community of believers? Do my words to God mimic those of Samuel’s in the aforementioned story? I pray one day, like Samuel, I never stop saying to God: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
During my time with the teenagers this morning, we studied 1 Samuel 3 and discussed how to communicate with God. At the end, I asked them how they would like to be praying for each other. One 17-year old simply asked for food.
About 23 kilometers down the mountains, there is a small town with a severely broken church. Recently the preacher (who has since then left) started calling every individual person out by their sins, explaining to them that they could not take communion until those specific faults were fixed. Some have said they will never go back to any church ever again.
As I’ve already mentioned, there’s a lady here of Chinese descent, whose husband had to pay a lofty sum to marry her. She said the two sets of parents argued over a fair price because, according to her family, she was worth a lot—according to his, not so much.
Antonio needs food, some lost believers need to be found, and one woman needs to know that she is invaluable, that her Father bought her already, and that He paid for her with His life.
As we do life with the people here in El Valle, they understand the Good News. Unlike Michael Yaconelli’s description of modern-day American believers, here the Gospel is actually life-changing, not merely life-enhancing.
This morning, Crecencia walked with her family for two hours through the mountains in order to get to the nearest church-goers’ home on time, who then drove them the rest of the way. They didn’t have the necessary few dollars for a bus ride, and they had no food money for today. But they walked. And they walked.
Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness so much that I would cross mountains just to meet with a community of believers? Do my words to God mimic those of Samuel’s in the aforementioned story? I pray one day, like Samuel, I never stop saying to God: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Dear Josh,
ReplyDeleteWhen I met you on your first trip to Panama and got to know you I was very impressed. I noticed how, as the week progressed, you got more and more involved with those we were serving especially your interaction with the children. As I read your blog I am even more impressed. I will pray that you may have much success. I am proud to have you as a brother.
Lamar Hamilton
Oh Joshua, I so enjoy reading your blogs and hearing of how powerfully the Lord is moving in you, teaching you, shaping you, and using you for His glory. Thank you for allowing us to be apart of your journey and learn from you and experience the Lord in a more authentic and beautiful way. Know that you are being prayed for and are thought of often. Keep shining brightly for His glory and keep allowing Him to use you to bless others...10,000 miles away.
ReplyDeleteHey Josh! It was great to see you this morning!!! I knew you were a wonderful young man and you certainly proved it by saying hi to your mom first of all. Prayers for your work and your journey. Tara
ReplyDelete