Just what did we get done? Well, we built a roof on a children’s ministry room, laid a rough concrete floor in a home hosting a weekly bible study, provided roofing to an elderly widow who’s house wasn’t covered, held four children’s carnivals entertaining over 1,500 children, served five meals to well over 1,000 people, and participated in eight worship services. The numbers are staggering but God taught us something last week. He taught us to stop counting activities because it’s not about the number of carnivals, or meals, or worship services, or even the people who attended; it’s about the lives He changed or will change as a result of the Gospel. If He chooses to change just one life, then our trip was a huge success! God allowed us to participate in eight worship services but He also gave us the rare opportunity to be ministers to hurting people when Pastor Martin opened the Alter at the end of the service. For some reason, Pastor Martin asked us to stand ready to pray at the end of each service and we did. What an overwhelming experience! Mothers with their babies cuddled in their arms streaming to us for a moment of prayer; two or three people locked in an embrace of prayer who couldn’t understand a word of the other’s language. However, the ladies with their children in hand knew they wanted and needed prayer for their families (la familia) and we sensed that need and understood it wasn’t really about our prayer. These ladies want and need a loving God to protect and grow their children in an environment as unforgiving as we’ve ever witnessed. The people of El Milagro are ready for God. Their hearts need hope. Hope that there’s more to life than living in a community that doesn’t have running water or sewage or police protection; a community where husbands and fathers must often work long distances from home just to earn a meager living; the average household income is $4,400 per year. Hope that their children will grow up healthy and educated . . . hope we take for granted but hope that is real through our faith in Jesus.
I can’t speak for my 12 teammates but I already can’t wait for God to send me back next year!