Querido Aurelio,
Este blog es para ti. Yo puedo escribirlo en Español, pero mis palabras no van a tener peso. Pide a alguien que traduzca, por favor! Te extraño mucho.
Y hasta el lunes,
Taylor
Have you ever met someone so good, so kind-hearted, and so gentle that you are convinced, even for a split moment, that they are an angel?
This is Aurelio Bustamante.
For those who don’t know him, Aurelio is one of the four men that we have been working alongside with here at our ministry–
Aurelio, you taught us gentleness. “Aurelio has taught me gentleness through the way that he speaks to us. He has never been impatient or rude, but has always intentionally tried his best to help us understand him throughout our days together. I could always tell he cared about us more than the work we were doing.” — Emily Webb [Philippians 4:5]
You taught us faithfulness. Every workday you arrive early to have a Bible study with the guys, starting the day off in prayer. We see each day by the fruit produced where you remain: rooted in Christ. [John 15:5]
You taught us goodness. “… His gentleness & goodness when he’s so, so frustrated with the tractor and knows we’re waiting on him, but he keeps on trying so calmly & kindly. It finally works, and we all celebrate together when it finally turns on.”- Sierra Strickland [Psalm 37:3]
You taught us kindness. “He taught me kindness in teaching us how to use various tools. We would try, he would correct and encourage and push us softly toward the right way to use it. He never doubted our ability and was never angry when we did something wrong but only was kind and patient with us.” — Bethany Hintz [Ephesians 4:32]
You taught us patience. “We were taking branches to the drop off and we were seriously struggling to get them off the trailer. He just sat in the tractor laughing at us but slowly made his way around to help us. In one swift push he got them all off and just laughed a little before getting back onto the trailer. He did in 30 seconds what we had been struggling with for 5-10 minutes, but he did it in gentleness and patience. He didn’t shame us for struggling, but instead helped us and laughed with us along the way. He embodies patience.” — Katie Lederer [Ephesians 4:2]
You taught us peace. “Aurelio has taught me peace through the grace he shows us! There were times where he had to show me how to do something several times or where I broke something, and he would remain calm with a smile through and through. If you ask me, that’s unmistakable for the peace of Jesus Christ.”– Ellie Zeller [Numbers 6:26]
You taught us self-control. Well, not really. You ate an empanada after lunch and so did I. 😉 [2 Timothy 1:7]
You taught us joy. “I remember a moment here he had taken Emily and I up to the pile to dump branches. We were approaching the drop off and Emily was scared and kept repeating, “no, no, I can’t do it, no” and Aurelio would stop the tractor with patience and love and respond with, “ si! Tu puedes, tu puedes!” Then a jolly laugh. It struck me how much of a caring and gentle heart he carries naturally and uses it to show us the love of Jesus.” — Elina Landin [Psalm 16:11]
You taught us love. With tears in your eyes and a “thank you for your hard work” we hugged on our last day of the job and said “see you later”. [1 Corinthians 13:4-5]
From the first day of ministry to the last, I have had the honor to work alongside you.
Even if I don’t return to Ecuador, I know this won’t be the last time I see you.
See you again in heaven, my friend.
Taylor Theobald
