Preach the Gospel Always

Dusty roads * Loud barking dogs * Bucket
showers * Intermittent electricity * Crazy traffic patterns * Scooters or
walking is the preferred method of transportation * Smiling children hungry
for love and frequently yelling “Americano” * Beautiful people * Entertainment
requiring no more than a ball or some chairs * Chicken, rice, empanadas and
juice are the food of choice * Culture * Beauty.  This is a small glimpse of our life for the
next 3 weeks in San Juan, Dominican Republic.

Over the last few days the Lord has
frequently brought to my mind the famous quote by St. Francis, “Preach the
gospel always and when necessary use words.” 
Language barriers are going to be an issue all year as we try to
communicate with those the Lord has placed in our path.  We are learning how to communicate the gospel
and the love of Christ without being able to speak the language.  This may be through a smile, a high five, a
hug, but more than that I think it is demonstrated in how we love each
other.  John 13:34-35 says, “A new
command I give you: Love one another.  As
I have loved you, so you must love one another. 
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another.”  Love is where it starts.   Without love we have nothing.  Jesus was remembered because of the way He
loved people, not simply because of His miraculous powers.  That love of Jesus lives in each of us, we
are his hands and feet.  He has brought
us here to love and serve this community. 
We must start by loving each other well.