We need to make our faith our very own love story.
~ Bob Guff
Ministry this month has looked a lot different than I had planned. You know, before a new experience, whether it’s a new place, person, or activity, you make some form of prejudgement. That was me when I came to Costa Rica. I had plans to impact the community, build a house and spend every free second I had serving others in some form.
I want to talk about something more important than these tasks that I had put in my own head. God has set me on this journey to fulfill his plan. A plan to set love into action.
I want to tell you a story about Luis who was just a boy when missionaries first came to his indigenous village in the mountains of Costa Rica. Soccer games played with these new friends turned into acts of love through the eyes of a six year old boy. This is the first time Luis witnessed the love of Christ through others saying, “their actions of love spoke of Jesus and who He was and there is joy and freedom that comes with it.” At the age of six the missionaries planted a seed in his heart, and now, 29 years old, Luis has dedicated the last eight years of his life to God as a missionary. Looking back at the moments that have shaped him, Luis explains that the “small things can speak life. All the time we make plans. It’s not about our plans, but Gods plans.”
Luis didn’t plan to go to university after High School but instead followed a path much like many others his age growing up in Puerto Viejo. The love of Christ shown from the missionaries grew more and more distanced as that six year old boy grew up. He lived a life and path much similar to mine of partying, chasing relationships and being surrounded by worldly influences. Luis’ plans were cut short when God decided to start His.
15 years passed since the missionaries visited Luis. After recommitting his life to Christ Luis found himself working at a coffee shop in Puerto Viejo when another group of missionaries entered his life. This time in the form of young adults who shared with him their mission. This divine appointment Luis knew was from God.
Luis explained that eight years ago God said, ““You will preach my name to the nations.” And I said, “Wow! How is that possible?” I am proof that when God says He will do something He will make it happen.” Luis has since joined that missions program that came to that coffee shop and with the organization has since traveled to seven countries to share the love of Christ to people who were lost in the world just as he was at six years old.
I’ve had the privilege this past week of getting to hear Luis’ story and though I came here to bless others I already feel more blessed in return. His story is the epitome of what can happen when love takes action and plants a seed in someones soul.
Orlando, an elder of the church explained over lunch the other day that, “You can plant love, but then it has to grow and then bear fruit. Love just doesn’t happen over night.” My own vision of The World Race and hopes to create disciples is much like the missionaries that visited Luis. They just showed up to be used and expected big things to happen from an even bigger God.
This whole idea of “planting seeds” can be seen in the bible in Matthew 13:3-8 where Jesus tells a parable of a farmer who is planting seeds for crops. Some of the seeds fall on shallow soil, they grow quickly but then wilt since they don’t have deep roots. Some of the seeds fall in thorns and never have the chance to grow before being choked out. Yet some of the seeds fall on fertile soil and produce healthy crops.
This parable and Luis story encourages me to see that not all of my plans or actions will be prosperous. Some may fail miserably. Some I may never know the outcomes. My translation says, “It is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit using your words to produce faith in Christ.” My pride struggled with this until Luis explained to me that even “small things can speak life.” I realized that good things take time to prepare. I don’t have to build a house with my bare hands, or preach to a church full of people to be doing Gods will. This month I believe God wanted me to learn that the best way to spread his word is through love. Genuine connection with others and investing my time into people, learning stories, hearing testimonies and seeking to know the who God desires them to be.
A story I tell today may change someone’s tomorrow. Giving of myself, my story and my time are all “small things” that if from God can have a bigger impact. Luis reminded me that “if God brings you here for one person, that is a big thing.” I’ve enjoyed the small conversations over coffee with teammates, the time with my ministry contacts and elders in the church and even strangers on bus rides. These small actions that can often be overlooked as not a form of ministry. I say, I may not have control as to where the seed falls, but I’ve decided to put my love into action and put my trust in Christ to do the rest.
It is encouraging to me so early on in this adventure to meet people like Luis and see the fruit that others have planted in love. Who knows, we all may have our own “version” of Luis’ out there that we may never meet but how glorious it will be united in Heaven one day.
Where’s Luis now?
Luis is now working as a full time missionary with an organization based out of San Jose, Costa Rica known as Youth With A Mission (YWAM). He gets to travel to evangelize and train more disciples to go share the love of Christ. He has the opportunity to be a witness of Gods love and mercy in his life. The things the Enemy was using to only bring darkness to Luis’ life God is now able to use to make Luis more relatable to others who are still entrapped. Luis helps primarily with Homes of Hope through YWAM rebuilding not just homes for families but also building relationships and providing hope. One day Luis hopes to be able to set up a base camp in Puerto Viejo and live here permanently. As a missionary he is always looking for prayer support both spiritually and financially. If this is something you feel God calling you to support please reach out to him at [email protected] or ask to sign up for his newsletter.
