I would like to share with you what I shared with our church
on the Sunday following our return…
1st relationships – The Talca church share our
mission… love God and love people. They made an effort to learn several English
phrases “God bless you” and “I love you”. They were very sincere and excited we
were there to help them. You could feel the love radiating from them. They are very proud of family and wanted to
tell and show us about them. Although
there was a language barrier we were able to still communicate especially during
the construction time. People are the same all around the world and that was
evident as they enjoyed joking during work and meal time just as we do. They
express love through food and we were fed (loved) very well.
2nd Praising God – They directed all praise to
God. The bus driver would not take any credit for the various times he used his
buses to transportation us to destinations hours away, instead he pointed
upward to God so he would get the glory. The pastor’s wife also, was constantly
raising her hands upward toward God so he would get the praise. We (Americans)
often times take credit for God working through us.
3rd God Provides – These church members have
limited resources, but their willingness to share was overwhelming. Many
Americans give only when they have excess; however, these people gave and
treated us like family. The Chileans are happy people and did not seem
concerned with materiality like many Americans do. They put people first and
you did not hear anyone complaining (like we do a lot of times). I know God
will provide well from them. Our real reward is in heaven and I am sure their
rewards will be great.
4th God talks to us – I felt God was actually
smiling and sensed his pleasure as he was looking down at us during the
mountain trip. He put in my mind that he was literally smiling (I had never put
a face to God before, Jesus yes, but not God) and how pleased he was watching
us enjoy what he had created and the fellowship we were enjoying (only God can
create and what we saw was very beautiful and he had the fore thought to give
us sight).
5th Realization -
The sad part is, it took 5,000 miles for me to know people in this
church. Americans tend to isolate ourselves and become busy with our own lives.
We seem to fill our days with stuff instead of people and how we can serve
them.
6th Opportunity to share – Sharing the Talca
experience at work this week led to a gentleman asking about our church. He
doesn’t like the church his wife attends and is looking for one for himself. I
invited him to ours and directed him to the church website so he could hear one
of Pastor Dave’s wonderful sermons.
My Wish – I wish I could share this experience with my
grandmother (she has been deceased since 1972). She was a widow when mom was 5
and never remarried. She believed the
CMA’s mission to tell others about Christ so much so that she gave ½ of her
meager earnings to the church. She would be pleased to see how this church
supports missions and your willingness to tell and share God with others.
I believe we helped those in Talca in a physical way and
gave them encouragement with their church construction project; however, we
walked away with something more valuable, a spiritual awakening and a sense of how
our priorities at times need to change.
Please join me in prayer…..
Dear Heavenly Father,
1st and foremost, we give you all the honor,
praise and glory. You are an awesome God. A God who is everywhere – we felt your
presence as your children gathered together in Chile and we feel your presence
now as we worship you in Centerville.
Thank you Father, for this congregation before us; for their
willingness to support mission work by sending church representatives to other
areas, their financial support, and their constant prayers so others around the
world may be reached.
Please use each of us in this congregation to be a light for
you within our own community/workplace and encourage those who have thoughts about
serving you in places outside this community that you will help and equip them.
As opportunities arise, please help us to be aware of them and allow you to
work in us.
Father please give to our bother Filipe in Talca the words
to defend his dissertation in March. May there be no more delays and that the
professors will find his presentation favorable.
In your son’s precious name
Amen
Brothers and Sisters in Talca,
Thank you for the love, kindness, and generosity you have
shown to our team members. You shared a part of yourselves and created lasting
memories which each of us will carry in our hearts. May the Lord bless each of
you abundantly.
Sharon Kirk
