It’s WINTER in Chile. And boy, is it a cold one.
My eyes widened as we crossed the border. Snow. And lots of it. I haven’t seen snow since high school. I knew this California girl was in trouble.
I dropped my jacket in Vietnam. It was rainy season, and I didn’t use it much, so it made for a practical parting gift.
I’ve experienced enough extreme poverty this year to know that I lack absolutely nothing. So when I heard South America would be cold, I figured I would just buy a jacket or make do with a borrowed sweater and scarf. I looked at my bank account. “I’ll just make do.”
I started praying for a jacket. Half-heartedly.
(Why? Cause sometimes I just lack faith that God really cares about those things… BUT HE DOES! He always does.)
Two weeks later, a friend pulled me aside and asked if I needed a jacket or winter wear. She had a donor who was willing and ready to give towards the purchase of warmer clothing.
WHAT? REALLY? ARE YOU SURE?? (It’s still hard to accept generous gifts).
Thank you God for your kindness towards me. I am now all toasty and warm and FILLED with gratitude.
Which leads me to this month’s update… another GENEROUS GIFT from the heart of the Father.
Everyone who knows me deeply, knows that I crave and long for intentional community. I can go on and on and on and ON about house churches, Acts, all things in common, Shane Claiborne, and missional living.
This month, we are in it.
WE-ARE-IN-IT!
(*YES, I’M SHOUTING*)
We are partnered with a house church in Santiago! AND IT’S THRIVING!
Old. Young. Children. Healthy. Sick. Special Needs. Singles. Engaged. Married. Careers. Retired. All sharing spaces, houses, meals. Laughter, tears, work, and play. Our friends lives are so intertwined that it’s difficult from an outside perspective to tell who are actual blood relatives.
This is a love and hospitality I’ve only read about. This is living.
It’s so simple, yet so (seemingly) radical in the context of modern-day America. To choose into a life that doesn’t belong to you. To give your “free time” to your neighbors and your Church. To live the gospel. That can look like giving free hugs and coffee at the bus stops in the morning. Teaching English after work to refugees. Inviting strangers over for dinner. Helping the neighborhood kids with homework. Playing with them in the streets. Housing the homeless. It’s so easy.
John 13:35 says “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We belong to a love that puts on skin and moves into the neighborhood.
This is Jesus. And now we are His body. We get to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth.
I desire nothing less than this.
It’s time to get creative. What He’s given us, is exactly what we have to give.
Thank you house church for showing me this.
Thank you secret-jacket-donor for showing me this.
Here are some of my favorite photos of the month, so far:
Stay tuned for the Chile VIDEO update!
As always, thank you for your continued faithfulness to me. Please join me in prayer for the upcoming transition back to the USA (late August)!
