Let Jesus Do The Work!

Those who know me well know that I am not very good at journaling. When I do journal, it usually lasts a few days before my commitment wanes.  Well, on this mission trip, one of the minor miracles is that I managed to keep up my journal entries from beginning to end.  OK, so I did not exactly write an entry each day, but four entries in eight days is kind of a minor victory.    

In this final update, I would like to share one of my journal entries.  It was written on the third day of ministry with Iglesia Nueva Jerusalen. Unlike my previous two updates, this one will have few photos and more text. It is a very personal entry written at a moment when I was feeling quite vulnerable - a perfect time for God to do His work on me.  So, I hope you do not mind having a read...
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Tuesday, July 30 (Day 3 during Siesta)

"Let Jesus do the work!"

Sobering words uttered by my translator, David, last night as an entire family walked into the church at (what we thought) was the end of the evening meeting.

Just moments ago, I had been sulking at the fact that, due to some possible miscommunication, most of the adults of the church had left right before we were getting ready to start "I am Second" groups. Besides the fact that I continue to doubt the effectiveness of the "I am Second" groups that I was leading, I also began doubting the work we were doing and why God had brought me here. Spiritual warfare, no doubt, and one of my recurring sins: self-pity.

Then, with Claudio's car engine with humming in the background, ready to take us home, in walks the family who had accepted Christ earlier in the day at their home. They brought two more family members, eager for them to hear the Gospel they had just heard during the day. As they walked in, the few church members scrambled to pull up enough chairs. Everyone greeted them as they settled in.

Three Cruz family members had accepted Christ earlier that day

David and I looked at each other, and immediately, David spoke to Martin and his daugther, Alvira. Both of them had just been trained on "I am Second". David asked them if they would be comfortable leading a new family through an "I am Second" study. Alvira agreed without hesitation.

As David walked by me to get some materials for the group, I frantically said to him, "We can't do 'I am Second' groups!  Some of them have not even heard the Gospel yet.  Let's get the Cube and have them share the Gospel first.  Maybe we should... (blah, blah)"

David stops me and said, "Don't worry!  Just let Jesus do the work!"

Yep, God uses this "loco" Sucrean (according to Enzo) with dreadlocks and chains, plus an awesome-looking cross tatoo to tell me: Dude, chill out.  I know what I am doing here!

There is no doubt God's main lesson for me so far on this trip is to teach me to trust Him and wait on Him. PATIENCE - that was a recurring message He impressed upon me prior to the trip. And here, in the outskirts of Tarija, in a sandy plain at the foot of the Andes mountains, with a landscape that mirrors Tatooine, His lesson is unfolding.

Snapshots of the area where we worked in Tarija

You have your way of doing things and expectations of how the trip should go, but my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Just "sit back, relax and see me work."  Something I had been exhorting my team and myself was being served right back in my face.

After hanging around for a few minutes to make sure the "I am Second" group was well on its way, I reluctantly got in Claudio's car to head back to the hotel. As I sat in the backseat, I wondered how things were going back at the church. Would the new family feel welcomed?  Did they feel intimidated by studying God's Word with other Christians right away? Would the non-believing family members wonder what was going on? Oh, I wish, the church leaders (specifically, Jhonny, who had led the three family members to Christ) were there to oversee everything. Well, at that point, all I could do was pray and say, "Jesus, I will let you do the work."

This morning, as we headed back to the church, I noticed that the driver was one of the few brothers who was at the church last night. I asked David to ask him, "How did it go last night?"  

The driver gave his reply, and David, with an excited grin on his face (well, as excited as David gets) translated it saying, "It went very well. The other two family members also accepted Christ."

Jesus said that when He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself (John 12:32). God is faithful to His promises and He answers prayers.  He just does not do it on our agenda or timeline, but His.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you love every person and do not want any person to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Do your work in the church at Nueva Jerusalen as you are at every site in Tarija and all around the world.
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One struggle that many of us who go on a missions trip deal with afterwards is whether the church will continue the good work that was started after we leave.  God reminded me through this experience that He was in Tarija before we arrived, and He will continue to be there after we depart.  We just had the privilege - and it truly is a privilege, not a burden nor a sacrifice - to be in the city for a week, to witness what He is doing there and to partake in His amazing work in one of the areas.

Yes, the numbers from this trip are astounding (Praise God!)  And as a "numbers person", you may think I would want to dwell on those more.  However, the most precious rewards are the nuggets of wisdom that God dispenses, after breaking me from my wretched habit of self-reliance and over-planning, that allow Him to do His work on me and grow my faith in Him.

Prayer Request

I started my support letter for this trip describing how Bolivia is like my Narnia. I would like to close my updates with a quote from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. In this final scene, Aslan informs Lucy and Edmund that they would no longer be returning to Narnia. Lucy and Edmund are sadden by this news and the prospect of having to perpetually live and survive in their "real world", England:

“It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"

"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.

"Are -are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.

"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” 

My final prayer request for this trip is that I would learn to know God by His name in my "real world", Austin, Texas.  That by knowing Him for a little in Bolivia, I may know Him better here. Please pray for me and hold me accountable to this.

Thank you for partnering with me in this amazing experience and indulging in my banter. I hope this has been as much of a blessing to you as your prayers have been to me. May God bless you and your loved one!