A Passion for Compassion

Compassion... a word I have been thinking a lot about lately.

Therefore, as God´s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with COMPASSION, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  and over all these virtues put on LOVE , which binds them all together in perfect unity.   (Colossians 3:15-17)

As I clothe myself with compassion and put on love I find myself motivated to help others.  I find myself urged to forget whatever challenges I may be facing and instead look to serve my brother, neighbor, stranger, friend, and enemy. When we make compassion a part of our daily lives we begin to see things differently, I think.  Compassion is truly the opposite of selfishness and self-centered living.  If more were motivated by compassion for others instead of self-seeking this world would be a different place.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:35-38)

I am not a Bible scholar, but as I meditate on this I see a few things.  As Jesus taught and healed he drew crowds.  Doubtless the size of the crowd was too big for a single person (Jesus) to handle.  Imagine, trying to pray for and minister to each individual need.

Imagine yourself in that crowd.  Crowds then weren't much different than they are today.  I am sure there were those who lacked patience, those who grumbled because there were too many people, they couldn't see or hear, they were being pushed and jostled, etc.  Others who wouldn't wait their turn but shoved their way to the front to have their need met first.  Timid folks, folks who vocally expressed dissatisfaction, others who kept it to themselves, some who came just to see what all the ruckus was about, others who came to make fun.... and also those who respectfully waited their turn, and a few who despite the long waits, hot sun, and uncomfortable conditions managed to keep a smile on their face and a good attitude. 

They were harassed and helpless.  hmmm.  Harassed by whom?  By each other.  By the devil.  They needed help.  What was Jesus' response to this overwhelming need?  He told his disciples to pray for more workers, others also moved by compassion who would labor alongside Jesus.

As I look around me, I am also moved with compassion.  It is compassion that motivates me to write Bible lessons, designed to sow the Word of God into little hearts.  Without the living Word of God in their hearts, these families will not see the fullness of God operating in their lives.  The will stumble along in darkness without the Word to light their path.  It is compassion that leads us to carry medical teams and evangelistic teams into remote, unreached areas of San José Pinula.  It is compassion that motivates us to constantly seek for donations to bless the families in our community.

I am so thankful to be a part of the move of God taking place in this part of the country.  I am so thankful for every person who supports this ministry and makes it possible for us to continue.  I am so thankful for the mission teams who have come and the missionaries who visit.  But still there is much work to be done.

Join us as we pray for more laborers to join us in the harvest.

Special Thanks to a Special Family

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!  Finally.  Corban returns to school after a 2 week break.  I love having him around.  I love hearing him sing loudly and off key all through the house.  However, despite all the joy it brings to have my little sidekick around, I can never get as much accomplished as when he is gone :)

Jeff, the dad of the visiting family, and his daughter-- sorry, sideways picture!

And so, the man who drives a little van and takes Corban to school came by at the usual time and with bribes of cookies and chocolate milk in his hands, Corban reluctantly climbed aboard and left for school.  I got busy.  I had just a little bit of time before I needed to head out to join a family of four that was here.  They had generously offered time and resources and set aside the entire day to help one of the families in our Little Giants Bible Clubs.  "Doña Ana" we will call her- is a prime example of life in Guatemala for most of the population.  She is a hard worker, with a bright smile and cheery outlook despite the hardships she has faced.  She is a joy to be around and so are her children.  Doña Ana is the mother of 6 intelegent, talented children who have been in our program for several years now.

So, as I was packing the car and getting ready to spend the day at Doña Ana's house I received a huge shock.  Suddenly Corban's van came around the corner and pulled up.  A dazed and disoriented Corban hopped out and announced that classes actually began the NEXT DAY.  oooooops.  my bad.  Quickly I changed Corban's clothes and plopped him in the car so that our missionary adventure could begin!

The plan for the day was to repair some sheets of metal on the roof as well as take care of some other repairs on the house.  To the left is a picture of the kitchen ceiling.  You can see one shiny new metal placed up there.  You can also see plastic which was hung to catch the leaks.  Doña Ana was so grateful for help with this.  You see, her husband, a taxi driver, was killed a few years ago by gang members seeking extortion.  All of her children are somewhat young still... so getting up on the roof to replace the metal was something she was saving up her money to do herself.

The tortilla fire.. sorry, this picture is sideways.

When Corban and I arrived we found that Kelly (the mother of the family visiting with us) and her 2 girls had already done crafts and games with Doña Ana's children who were at home at the time.  Doña Ana was already putting more kindling on the fire to make her tortillas for the next few days.

Her small garden patch

She grows her own corn, harvests it, degrains it, takes the grains to the mill to have it ground, and makes her own tortilla dough/paste.  She does things the old fashioned way!  As does a large portion of Guatemala's people.

Corban was impressed.  He had only seen me buy tortillas.  It had never occurred to his 3 year old mind that some people make them at home.  He wanted me to learn so that I could make some.  yeah right!  for a little over a dime I can buy 4 tortillas.  I think I will stick to buying them freshly made and leave the hard work to someone else.  Still, to appease him and to initiate a cultural exchange - Doña Ana began tortilla classes for all interested!  Kelly and her daughter tried their best.  After many laughs and failed attempts a couple of the tortillas came out right!

another sideways picture!  Getting tortilla making lessons....

While the men worked, the women were busy tending a Güisquil plant.  Gúisquil is a vegetable native to the area that grows in abundance.  We pulled off dead leaves and pruned the vine a bit to bring new life to it.  The footing beneath was a muddy, messy clay.  Our shoes were extremely yucky after that day!

pruning the gúisquil vine

As the morning wore on, more of Doña Ana's children appeared.  Each dressed in school uniform and with books on their arms.  In Guatemala, the public school has 2 shifts.  Some of Doña Ana's children study in the morning and others in the afternoon.  At one point I noticed Corban doing a familiar dance... he had to go to the bathroom!!!!!  And so began yet another adventure.  Doña ana does not have running water in her bathroom.  Basically, the toilet sits over a hole in the ground.  And the shower is just a stall.  You must bathe with the use of a bucket of cold water and a cup or something to dip the water out.  Unfortunately, the hole under the toilet is filling up.  The stench invades the house... Doña Ana has taken it upon herself to begin digging another hole outside of the house so that she can move the toilet to a new location.

This barrel holds rainwater.  The bucket on the floor is used to draw water out and pour into the toilet bowl, forcing the sewage down.

dirty, dingy bathroom with a muddy, yucky floor.

The hole Doña Ana has begun to dig by herself

It was a morning to remember.  We spend a good portion of our days teaching in the Bible Clubs, orphanages and schools.  At various times throughout the year we visit the homes to take provision and minister to the families.  Still, there is something very special about spending an entire day one on one helping a family that is doing all it can to help itself.  Corban and I had to leave just before lunch.  The baby at home was due for a nursing soon!  But our missionary guests stayed on with our team to continue working.  They even treated everyone to a hearty lunch and a very American dessert of brownies!

From the bottom of my heart I think Jeff, Kelly and their girls for coming to Guatemala and blessing the Least of These.  Jeff and Kelly, you have such wonderful, humble, servants hearts.  Your girls are simply amazing.  What a wonderful way to spend your family vacation- on a mission trip serving others.  We hope you come back again!

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.... (Matt. 25:40)