Well, this is going to be a tough one to explain for sure. Having just come back from our mission trip to Guatemala a few days ago, the emotions and feelings are still very raw and overwhelming. Little did we know that many months ago when we decided to pursue a trip to Casa Bernabe, we would be affected the way we have at this point. Obviously Guatemala is very special to us considering our oldest son was born there, but now we are at a whole new level of appreciation and sensitivity to the country and the people there. We were simply not prepared for the impact it was going to make on us…and now we are forever changed because of it. Let me also say that while our experience was with Guatemala, there are countless other examples in other countries that have affected countless other people in similar ways. It all comes down to an “aha” moment. A moment where God smacks you up side the head and reveals a truth that’s always been there, but you were too blind to see. Ours came this past week.
You see, we live in a very protected and safe society. We have freedoms and liberties that we have completely taken for granted. We have made a mockery of the sacrifices made for us to have what we have. We live in a society of greed. We expect things to happen when we want them to, and even then, its not fast enough. We are always looking out for ourselves. We are spoiled. Just take a trip to the local store of your choice and watch how people behave. You don’t have to look very far to see agitation, impatience, anger, and frustration. We also live in a society of vanity. We are so obsessed with how we look that we will go to any length to be the most attractive, best dressed, etc. What’s worse is our children are growing up in this environment. Scary. What has happened to us? How can we change our perspective? How can we truly be more like Christ? Our experience in Guatemala taught us pretty quickly…we need to start placing others in front of ourselves.
I will take a step farther into this by saying that I have too often fallen short here. Many times I have been so focused on myself that I have been completely blind to what was happening around me. I will be the first to say that this eventually causes nothing but heartache. God never designed us for solo living. I have often felt otherwise though. Its so easy, especially if you are more introverted by nature, to just “do it all by yourself”. Friend, let me say that this is not a smart idea. You will eventually be presented a challenge in this life, and it will not be possible to “fix it” alone. We need friends. We need people praying for us and with us. We need Christ in us to teach us to do the same for others. We saw this over and over again at Casa Bernabe. We were bombarded with love. We watched as children loved and hugged each other rather than fight over toys. We listened to them sing at the top of their lungs in praise at their Sunday morning worship service. We talked with people who were so passionate about others, and who drew their happiness out of seeing other people’s needs met. Amazing. What a lesson for me. I thank God for the opportunity to have seen that…and now because of it, I will never be the same.
So what happens next? I am not sure. What I do know is that things will be different, regardless. Those little faces we saw and held will forever be etched in our minds. When God started working through my amazing wife many years ago to stretch me and open our family to what we’ve seen and done, I had no idea how powerfully we would be impacted. It is a continuous process though, as God will always have more to reveal to us. We need to humble ourselves to His will and open our eyes to His leading. His timing is perfect and His love is forever. I can’t wait to see how He orchestrates the future for us and for the lives of the little children at Casa Bernabe. No matter what He has in store, I am eternally grateful for Him speaking to me through children that don’t even speak my same language. Thank you, Lord. Keep us in your will and keep us on the path you have for us. Help us to love others like you love them…
