Sorry to leave everyone hanging. We went to Zacheo’s house, and we were very happy to give him a copy of the photo of him and us together. But unfortunately Hector wasn’t there, so we didn’t get to share anything else with him. Please continue to pray for opportunities to talk to Hector in our remaining time here.
Sunday morning, we traveled to a church in Santa Clara that Antonio planted. Santa Clara is up on top of the ridge of mountains that surrounds the lake, so getting there meant a ride up some of the steepest switchbacks we had ever seen, in the back of a pick-up truck. Scary enough going up, but truly terrifying coming back down. The upside is, the trip kept us in constant prayer. And check out the view from up there.
Anyway, we arrived at the church just as they were beginning their service with singing. After a couple of songs, the pastor of the church called Antonio up on stage, who in turn called us up. He introduced us and told the church a little bit about the work we’re helping with in San Pablo. Then, he turns around to us and asks what song we’d like to sing, and who would like to preach.
We had nothing prepared.
So, after the initial shock wore off, we very quickly put together a game plan. We sang “Better is One Day,” and I agreed to preach, pretty much off the top of my head. I prayed, “Lord, give me Your Word. Speak through me, because I don’t know what to say.”
God answered my prayer.
I preached on Ephesians 1:17, which says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” My theme was our need for both wisdom and revelation, both the truths of Scripture and the words God speaks directly into our lives. God gave me a great sermon that I am likely to use many more times in the future. What a blessing!
After the service, we visited next door with one of the ladies of the church. Her name is Lucilla, and she has four of the most beautiful children you will ever see. Antonio told us her story, and broke our hearts.
You see, Lucilla lost her husband just over two weeks ago. He got sick on a Friday, and by Sunday he was dead, just like that. Her husband had been an elder in the church, a righteous man, and the sole provider for his family. Now, Lucilla has to provide for her four little ones all by herself. She has no job, no family in the area, and her church – the one she lives next door to – doesn’t have any money for her support.
We prayed for her and shared with her the promise of Scripture, that God looks out for the widows and the orphans. Her strength and peace despite her difficult circumstances humbled me greatly. I was far more upset about her situation than she was. But as we left and headed home, I couldn’t help thinking, are we doing enough to help? Are prayers and encouragement what we are called to do when faced with such need?
Or perhaps are we called to do more than that?
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? – James 2:15-16
-Gary, on behalf of Team Doulos
