“Set a fire down in my soul, that I can't contain, that I can't control… I WANT MORE OF YOU LORD!”
After we had gone to church, our two groups (Team Cherish and Team Lionsong) piled into the back of our chariot, (a white van with chipping paint that if found in America would automatically remind people of a hostage movie). Echoes of the service filled my mind with hope: having church and testimonies in a hotel lobby, worship in Spanish, prayers for the country and the people. It was a very stripped version of what I had known in the states as “Church”. It was very much a beautiful representation of God being the God of the WORLD, not just America.
I stood in the back and talked with two Guatemalan teenage girls in the best Spanish I could. They laughed and told me I spoke it very well (“but very slow… como un gringo”). After mingling others, I ended up speaking with one of our hosts. He asked me about my family, where I was from. I did the same. We stood there looking at each other, and in his eyes, I could see a joy that I never saw before. It was as if he were happy just to be with me in that moment, and that God was ministering to us both. I felt understood.
“I love it here…” I sighed.
His eyebrow raised, “Por que?” (“Why?”)
I said, through the best Spanish I could, “I know I'm German, Scottish, and other things, but I swear part of me is Latino. I love the culture of family here.”
A smile spread across his face, “Eres missionario? Somos familia in Cristos.” (“You're a missionary? We are family in Christ.”)
As cheesy as that sounded, the look in his eye told me that he meant it with all his heart: no reservations, no agenda. I gave him the biggest hug I could. When I released the embrace, his smile widened and said (in English), “Besides, we'll both be surprised when we get to heaven and find out God is Chinese!”
We laughed really hard. A real hearty laugh that was universal. A laughter that God delights in.
