Playing in God’s Backyard – The Jungle Journey Continues
As we sat together looking across the water that lay in front of us, it looked as if someone had taken great care in the manicure of this aquatic habitation of an underwater world. It was refreshing to feel the cool breeze coming off the surface of the water. As we reflected over the last few days, we felt the indescribable peace that only comes from knowing our Savior and Creator. We were wrapping up a day of very enjoyable fellowship and relaxation that we will talk more about in a few moments. For now, we will attempt to describe the times of blessing that come with sweat, toil, and determination.
Keep in mind that we are not going to be specific about places and times for security purposes. We arrived in this center of commerce in the middle of the jungle on a Monday. We visited some hot places in our journeys and this place is as hot as the hottest places we have been. The city was settled by Africans who were brought as slaves approximately 400 years ago. The people who live in the city are very poor, but the tribal groups in the jungle that surrounds it are even poorer.
On Tuesday, we went to the river and set out in a launch for the village. Recalling one of the mission trips with the youth we remember one of them referring to the place we were at the “National Geographic” kind of place. Though we have seen many images of faces and places in The National Geographic subscription we use to receive, it remains altogether different when the words we have read and the pictures we have seen in articles come to life before our eyes.
When we look at river pictures, we can’t smell the fish that are filling the boats when they come to sell them in the riverside market. What we miss when we look into the eyes of the children in the images is the floor where they take their naps and sleep at night. It is the same floor where the toddler children relieve themselves because there are no diapers or bathrooms. The only place available to relieve oneself is in the surrounding jungle where a toddler could get lost, stolen or hurt. What we don’t hear when we see the mothers with children in the pictures is the mother saying that she was eleven, twelve, or thirteen years old when she was given to a much older man in the village. We can’t hear them ask for help to get out of the village because they are terrified and don’t want to be alone in the hut with the man. What we can’t feel is the stifling heat that has our clothes sticking to our skin and the keen awareness that the dirt and insects are drawn to us because of the sweat and smell that begins to form soon after being in the jungle. What we can’t touch is the baby whose young mother has rejected it from birth because she was not emotionally or physically ready to bare and care for the child. We can’t taste the food that remains bland and flavorless because of the lack of spices, herbs, salt or pepper. The people are just thankful that someone has brought rice and bars of soap to them.
When we walk away from jungle village life and head back to what we do in the world that seems a universe away from this place, we reflect on the blessings we have so selfishly taken for granted. We have to repent when feelings of doubt try to creep into our minds. We have to battle the urge to grumble when we are lying in the bed trying to go to sleep but can’t because of the wet heat that blankets us instead of cool fresh sheets. When the morning rains wake us, we put on the coolest clothing available and make our way to the little dining room in the only hotel available. We try not to think about what the food is going to taste like, look like or what might be in it. So far, however, Colombian food has been palatable wherever we have been.
There is a lot of work to be done in the jungle. There is a lot of work to be done in the commercial centers and in the larger cities. Pastors in this country are mostly self taught and need a deeper understanding of Theology. A false spirit of pride in being led by the Spirit permeats the Colombian pastorate and as a result the church suffers. Breaking through this stronghold is essential to the growth of the Colombian church. Though the way seems full of obstacles, there is a way, and with God who is our help, His purposes will be accomplished.
Psalms 121:1-8 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
After being with the people and having our hearts wrenched from seeing the suffering and the destitution, we rejoice because God is working miracles in their lives. In November 2005, we had the privilege of being present at the dedication ceremony of the completion of the New Testament into the Epene Pedee language. This New Testament is the first book ever to be printed in this language. Now last week, we were privileged again to be present in this tiny village for the first reading lesson for the people. They were given little notebooks and pencils someone donated so they could take notes. After the reading lesson and a time of sharing God’s word, our Father further blessed us. Ferney, the Epene missionary, gave them a little song book with some selected praise and worship songs translated into their language. With the men taking turns playing a new guitar that was also donated, we joined in the celebration of their newfound Savior in the first worship service in song ever to be done in this little jungle community. Though it sounded much different than what we are use to, the joyful noise reaching the ears of our Lord was enough to make our hearts seem as if they were going to burst!
At a Wednesday night service in the Presbyterian Church, many healings took place after Kevin respectfully asked the pastor if it would be alright to minister healing. Almost all responded to the call. The people in these places are sick, tired and hurting. One beautiful young lady who asked for prayer only had one eye. To our amazement, she did not ask for a new eye but that God would heal her from asthma. We prayed God would heal her completely.
On Thursday night, three young ladies from a different indigenous jungle village came to town and went to the service at another church. When God is demonstrating His power in a power culture, word gets around quickly. That night Kevin preached his shortest sermon ever. He had the interpreter read 1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. Kevin then told them God was going to demonstrate His power over everything right now! All three of these indigenous ladies responded to the call along with most of those in attendance. The power of God came over them like we haven’t seen in a while and all lay like dominos, slain in the Spirit for several minutes. After the ministry was done, Kevin gave a call for salvation. Now, the three young ladies who had never been to a church service before or heard the Gospel came forward beaming with the love of Jesus. There were about 20 more that responded with them.
These testimonies of God’s love and power are what make it all worth the discomfort, suffering, or inconvenience we have to engage. Besides, our job here, or we prefer to call it our blessing, has its perks just like any other job. We come home from this trip filled with the awe of who our God is. He shows us how His love and His grace abound to all people in unimaginable ways. Though as you know, it is always good to be home and lay your head on your own pillow in your own bed, we live for the next day when God will continue to show himself faithful and powerful.
Now, just a little more about the enjoyable day of fellowship the Lord allowed us to have. Very recently a good friend described a God- kissed day that was given to her and her husband by the heavenly Father they serve. Since reading her story, we have been wanting to share our God-kissed day with you. We were asked as we have mentioned before, what we were going to do about retirement. One person told us when he was trying to convince us that we were making a mistake in coming here that his, “…idea of retirement is going to the lake with my boat and fishing.” Well, without being sure what real retirement is, we want to share what we like to call one of the ‘perks’ of stepping out and into God’s will.
We didn’t have anything planned on Thursday until 7 p.m., so we had the day free. A young man who worked for the hotel made arrangements for us to go to a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean that is located about an hour and fifteen minutes by boat from the little town. Now, neither one of us has ever been to Hawaii or the Canary Islands, but, to us, this little island seemed like paradise. It has been made into a national park and nature preserve. It was clean and cool as the ocean breeze wafted from the shore. We took a short tour of an old, abandoned prison and the immediate surrounding area. Before lunch we rented snorkels. Neither one of us had ever snorkeled before. Just like discovering the jungle world, we discovered a new world below the surface of the ocean waters. There was life below us that we had only seen in the National Geographic pictures. Hundreds of beautifully colored salt water wildlife were living below us among the rocks and the multi-colored reefs.
After lunch, we snorkeled some more. As Christine was enjoying this new display of God’s creation, the Holy Spirit told her to share her snorkel with a group of young people that came to the island in the same boat with us. It was clear that they were not able to rent a snorkel for themselves. Christine tried to make a deal with God. She told Him to show her something spectacular, like a shark or something, and she would give her snorkel to the people. After a minute or two, the Holy Spirit told her again to give the snorkel to the other group. Again, Christine told God to show her something spectacular and she would happily give them her snorkel. After a few more minutes and still not much happening in the reef below, the Holy Spirit again told her to give up her snorkel. She gave in and took the snorkel to the other group of people. After talking to one of the ladies, Christine swam to where Kevin was snorkeling. Of course, the chivalrous man he is, Kevin offered her his snorkel. After, a brief protest, she accepted Kevin’s offer.
As soon as she put the snorkel on and began to look below her, it seemed as if every kind of fish was gathered before her. They were all colors shapes and sizes. They seemed to be dancing and performing acrobats just for her. After what seemed like several minutes, they suddenly dispersed. All except one larger pinkish, whitish fish. He seemed to be telling her to follow him. So she did. After a little way, the fish suddenly stopped and turned up to be facing her straight on. He began to twist and dance while opening wide and closing his mouth. It seemed like he was singing, “See, I told you to follow me, now I’m going to dance for you.” Then as suddenly as the other multitude of fish swam off, he did too. God was faithful to give her the spectacular show she had asked for but only after she was obedient to His voice.
James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
So on the way back after a day of island fun and relaxation, we were looking across this portion of the Pacific toward the river that would lead us back to the little town. Approaching the shoreline we could see how our Creator so lovingly manicured the edge of the land to beautifully contain the massive aquatic underwater marine world. It reminded us of those little ponds that people like to put in their yards. In reflection, there is nothing we can do with our own hands that will ever equal what God has given us to enjoy; including a little remote village nestled next to a river that flows through the jungle home of many who are waiting to hear the good news of His Son.
Our previous idea of what retirement was going to be for us is becoming a remote memory. We can’t think of anything we would like to be doing more than being in the center of His will taking the light of the gospel to people who are calling out to be free from the chains of darkness.
We will be adding new pictures from this trip to our website. Have fun browsing and praying as the Lord leads you.
Blessings to you all !!