Why We Do What We Do
March 27, 2010 by Tom
Filed under Tom's Blog
What a busy start to the year it has been. As administrator of Project Salud y Paz, I have witnessed the amazing miracle of healing over the past few months. An eye surgery team has restored site to many people. A general surgery team has repaired cleft lips and done other needed miracles to restore to health and wellness the poor Mayan people of Guatemala. I have been truly blessed.
As I am writing, and hopefully as you are reading, it is almost Holy Week. Semana Santa as it is called in Guatemala is a special time. Many businesses are closed by Wednesday afternoon and do not reopen until the Monday after Easter. Good Friday is a quiet and solemn day.
It has been a challenge this year to keep a Lenten discipline. Given my work here in Guatemala, I have been reflecting on this passage from 1 John 3:16-18:
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother or sister is in need but has no pity, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
In the year ahead, let us remember the great financial treasures we possess. Even in this difficult economic time, North Americans are still some of the richest people to ever walk the face of the planet Earth.
My good friend and mentor, Bishop John Hopkins, taught me Sunday after Sunday at Methodist Temple in Evansville, Indiana: The purpose of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by the proclamation of the gospel in word and deed. The task of the church is to embody Jesus Christ to a hurting world. The task of the church is to bring in a kingdom of righteousness and justice and peace. The task of the church is to be where Jesus was… among the blind, the lame, the sick, the outcast and the poor.
I pray for you a blessed Semana Santa and a joyous Easter. As you celebrate the resurrection, remember the poor of Guatemala and the rest of world. Through your acts of kindness and love may they come to know the love and joy of the resurrected Christ.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
I just returned from a mission trip to Zacapa, Guatemala. We provided medicine and medical screenings to the people in the village of Conevisa. We also provided evangelism. In 3 days we treated 487 people, had 38 people saved, and 15 rededications. I witnessed miracles, poverty, appreciation and gratitude, and most importantly people that were on fire for God.
There may be barriers with language but God’s love has no boundaries!
I enjoyed reading about your mission and wanted to share my experience with you. I pray that we have many more chances to share with these wonderful Guatemalan people and share with others the miracles of the Lord.