My team and I have been in Arroyo Cano for over a week and I am in love with the people here. The way they do life is beautiful. The mindset that relationships are above task is the only mindset that they seem to know. I Love that! They take the time to just be. They seem to be fully present whether they are in the midst of a conversation or sitting in silence. I walk the streets often here and at every house you will see people gathered on their front porch. Some playing games with laughter while others are content doing nothing. They live in the moment. I have yet to have one person even mention time when I am with them. They don’t live in a way where time is against them but in a way where it is meant to be used to enjoy.
Ministry here has been about relationships. We have been able to partner with Compassion on several occasions. We had the opportunity to be a part of their yearly event to pass out toys to almost 200 kids. My teammates and I have all divided up into teams to teach English classes as well. For the most part though our ministry stems from partnering with the church we are staying at. I have been very blessed by the church body here. Their faith is pure. It is bold and has encouraged my soul in so many ways. They have opened their homes and hearts to us. The pastor, Gregorio, has a faith that is going to change this community. He has taken us on several prayer walks throughout the village. It is powerful to walk the streets while everyone is sleeping and pray for the presence of God to invade every home and soul. It has been humbling to see how eager they are to involve us in their church services. They have asked us to sing, dance, preach and perform a skit. All things out of my comfort zone but God continues to silence the things that I once feared. We are traveling to a church further up the mountain tomorrow to perform a skit and dance. I will make sure the performance gets filmed so you wont miss it! When that video gets posted you are in for a treat because they have us doing a ribbon dance!
The Lord hasn’t stopped teaching me since I arrived. I am learning how to not always be doing but to just be. Our ministry here is not about doing tasks but about loving the people in a raw way. I am learning the eternal significance to have the mindset that relationships are above task. When I get many tasks checked off my to-do list that is a day well spent in my eyes. Reflecting on my life in the states I see that I spent my days running around trying to get as many tasks done as possible. I have often rushed through conversations just so I can arrive on time to my next task. I want to be changed. Lord, change me. Change my mind set. Do not let me put tasks over relationships anymore. Is this anybody else’s heart? Do you find it hard to have the mindset that relationships always trump work? Do you find it hard to just be? I am finding it to be a great tragedy when we rush through life. Take the time to just be. Remain present in the stillness of your day and in every conversation. Enjoy the day the Lord has made. No matter what your circumstance is you will find it a beautiful thing to just be.
