For me, I am learning the way down is the real way up. Here’s a lesson God took the time to teach me…in the woodshed. (Stay with me here to the end…to see how God used Miguel…my “teacher.”)
Help them…
Many go to third world countries out of compassion. Modernizing and enlightening the people to a “better way of life”. The primary purpose is to save the “locals” from themselves. Going as the expert.
Teach them…
And then there are those that “go” to teach them English and the North American way of doing things. They encourage them to leave their own country. Their own culture. And “better themselves”. Often, this group spends money to take the “less fortunate” kids to Disneyland/Disney World to show them how wonderful the United States is. The “land of opportunity”. The land of “stuff”. Funny how this often actually shows them the way of discontentment and lusting after money, status, and stuff! Going as the teacher.
Save them…
Sometimes, those who “go” think of the people they are going to serve as “the heathen”. Going as the evangelist/prophet.
What if…the primary purpose for “going” to those overseas is to first “learn from them” about their culture and WHY they do what they do and THEN show them the way “home” to Heaven? To show them Jesus. Let me share with you what I mean.
A mini Pam-story
Ashamedly, I must admit that I have had every one of those first three mindsets at some point or other in my journey as a Christ-follower.
Then, there was Miguel.
Miguel was one of many “teachers” sent by God to show me what REAL Christianity looks like. Real life disciples of Jesus. Through hardship they endure and thrive in their faith. And they show US Jesus.
I thought…
I am ready! Bring it on…HA!
After our training with our “sending” mission group, my pilot husband, two young children, and I were sent to San Quintin, Baja, Mexico. We truly believed we were ready to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I could tell you MANY stories to prove that we were indeed NOT ready.
I wasn’t there long before I found out that I was sent to LEARN. Not to TEACH. I didn’t realize at the time how each of my testings was actually a gift in disguise.
Miguel (construction worker) was hired to help us build a wall around the porch of our home. (That is Miguel at our home in the picture). The wall would protect our washer and dryer and our water purifying system. I can barely tell you this story without choking up. Just look at Miguel’s smile. So kind. Such a hard worker. He was amazing. We all loved just being with him. A humble and righteous man. NEVER EVER complained about ANYTHING at all!!!
Protecting our stuff…
So Miguel built this fortress/this wall to protect our valuable STUFF. (Reminds me of the Veggie Tales movie about Madam Blueberry and the Stuff Mart. Not a pretty picture when I think of this story I am about to tell you on myself!!)
After we had known each other quite some time, I began to ask Miguel about his living situation. The one thing that stunned me was the day he described to me the way he gathered his own water. Water to drink and water to wash his clothes by hand in a small basin.
Go get a kleenex before I go on.
Leaky pipes…Lessons learned from Miguel
Each and every evening, after Miguel left his job building our wall around our stuff, he went and lay next to a leak in an irrigation pipe (we lived in the desert) until he had collected enough water (one drop at a time). Remember, this is his drinking water, water he uses to prepare his meager meals, to bathe, and to wash clothes in a small basin. *Sigh…I didn’t know. He never said a word until I asked. He never asked me for water from our abundance.
Who’s the teacher & who’s the student?
And, when he shared his story, all he had was gratitude for the PROVISION of the leaky irrigation pipe. SERIOUSLY??? HOW could I even comprehend such joy this man had? He had NOTHING!!! And he never ever complained.
Turns out Miguel was a pastor of a congregation. And he became my teacher that season of my life when I was in San Quintin Baja Mexico. He SHOWED me what contentment looks like. He SHOWED me what joy looks like. He SHOWED me what Jesus-with-skin-on actually looks like.
Miguel is now in my permanent spiritual DNA.
Maybe one day, I can make him proud of this “gringo” who out of nowhere one day arrived on the scene, thinking I had something to teach him. Ha!
Forgive me Lord. Thank you for giving me Miguel as my teacher. I am blessed beyond words!
Has God ever taken you to the wood shed like this? I’d love to hear your story…please share in the comments section…
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