missionary story

~Gratitude demonstrates an understanding that I am nothing on my own~

~Without gratitude we fall into a destructive pit of self-centeredness~

~Gratefulness is seeing all that you have and discovering that it is more than plenty~

These are some of the reflections I have had on gratefulness over the last several months

and I thought I would share them with you here.

Many years ago we found ourselves in Thailand doing mission work.  We had just come from Mindanao in the Philippines and it had been a very difficult trip.  When we arrived at the boarding house in Bangkok where we were to stay for the next five weeks, we were all thrilled that it was clean and even had indoor plumbing.  While we had been in the Philippines, we had been living mostly in the jungles, during the war, and the devastating Typhoons as well.  It had been a difficult trip and we were all extremely tired.  We had even had a brief experience being captured, (another story~another time folks) This was going to be a lovely change for us all.

After tossing and turning for quite some time, I finally gave in to the images of people and places that kept flooding my thoughts and pillaging my needed repose.  I could see dear Nena, young wife and mother of 5, whose husband was struggling for life due to a gunshot wound to the neck.  Laying in a government hospital where treatment continues as long as funds are available,  the whole family’s future lay in the balance.  The narco-war intersected without pretense into the lives of the innocent yet again, leaving little ones suffering in the wake of their violent enterprises.

Situated in the middle of seven barrios where  ruling gangs fight for territory, not a day goes by that we don’t  see new graffiti on the walls around our home.   The youths spray their gang  colors on the walls and vehicles of the rival gangs’ turf.  Even our own home and trailer has been decorated in times past.   The gangs mostly leave us alone now, as our work in Tepehua is well known and they want us there.  Derrumbles, the most violent of the neighboring gangs, seem to be the most creative in their designs.  Each design is meant as an intimidating reminder of who is lord over where.

Amazing acts of love and generosity were about to fill my day with wonder.  Several especially needy families come to the gate frequently for food or baby necessities.  However, the weather has been particularly cold and many have come looking for warmth.

Sam studying

I usually start my morning rather early as I home school not only my younger children, but also two teenagers.  They are our pastors’ children, and they are very special teens.  After getting schooling done, we are then free to dive into other responsibilities or whatever else the Lord may bring our way.
Today, through a series of miraculous events,  my dear friend Audrey and I loaded up 9 children into my car to rendezvous with an angel.  This precious angel had asked me if there were any particular families who were in urgent need.  After much prayer I felt there were two families that  I should mention to her.

Destiny reading history

The first family are dear friends.  The father, who takes his responsibilities as husband, father and provider very seriously, had worked as a master brick layer until he fell 3 stories into a pile of bricks shattering both legs nearly 2 years ago.  It is a miracle that he survived the fall and he has had several surgeries and metal put into his legs.  He has tried to work a bit in between therapy and treatment.  He is facing two more surgeries very soon.

They have five wonderful children, one of whom is my godson Moises.  I shared with our angel a story about the eldest boy, José Jr, and how recently he was stabbed in the chest by a gang of narcos because he would not join up with them.  Jr. knows better than to delve into the narco world because both his mother and I would never let him have the end of it, plus he is just a good kid.  Jr takes his studies seriously and is endeavoring to better his life and the lives of his younger brothers by studying hard and possibly learning engineering.

Petra, matriarch of the other family I had mentioned, is the very poor hardworking grandmother who cares for her 5 grandchildren.  She has a small set of shelves and a big bed that everyone sleeps on, including her daughter, who is disabled and cannot get regular work.  They have no stove so Petra has to go to the fields to find firewood to cook on every day.  She has one of the most grateful hearts I have ever had the privilege to know.
We were to rendezvous with our angel at the local Walmart and have lunch when we were finished.  I am so glad Audrey agreed to come.  I had asked her because I thought that I might need help with the baby, but mostly because I love her and wanted her company.  In the end, the baby was too fussy so we left her with her grandma.

Noah and his favortie auntie

Wandering around Walmart looking for our angel caught us some curious glances and a lot of smiles.  We were quite the parade.  This angel eventually found us and I could hardly believe my ears as she, filled with love for these sweet children, and overflowing with heavenly generosity explained her intentions.  Her mission was to bless each child with warm clothing, shoes and blankets, even for my own children who came along to help translate and manage the wee ones.  My children could hardly believe their ears!

I was very glad I had brought Audrey now as we divided up and she and our angel took the girls one way and I went the other with the boys.  The children were so excited yet overwhelmed at the same time.  A couple of the boys had never been in a big store before and there was so much to see.  It took us quite some time to shop, but it was fun.  I had to laugh at sweet Jr. because he was shy about the whole adventure and felt badly that he was being so very blessed.  He is a tall boy for 14 years old and very well mannered.  We had a bit of difficulty finding him a coat and some warms things, but we managed.  I explained to him many that I felt this was the Lord wanting to bless him for standing firm, even to the point of persecution, for not joining in with the narcos.

Jasmine and Milagros looking for shoes

We finally caught up with the girls and both teams marched off to the shoe department.  After managing to fill two large shopping trolleys almost to overflowing with goodies, we headed for the checkout.  Warm shirts, sweaters, pajamas, slippers, socks, undergarments, sweatshirts and blankets, it was a never-ending sea of warmth for these very underprivileged kids.  The younger ones wiggled all over the place as we continued to pile things on the belt to be rung up by the wide-eyed clerk.

Then after  loading up the van, we went out for pizza.  It was beyond belief this incredible blessing.  The children ate to their hearts content, chatting about their new things and getting to know their precious benefactor as they finished off the wonderful day with a bowl of ice cream.

After saying our goodbyes to our generous angel, it was back to my house where Jr’s mother, Monica, was waiting to help me sort.   My house is a safe place for these kids so as soon we entered it, the children’s patience and good manners seemed to have been left outside. Monica was stunned as bag after bag entered the living room.  We eventually were able to sort thru it all.  Moncia offered to stay behind and clean up a bit for me as I piled up all the children to drive them home.

It was cold and dark when I finally arrived home and Monica was waiting outside the gate.  With many tears she expressed her gratitude  for me to share with this precious angel who blessed her boys with such lovely warm things.  As I entered my home there were my own munchkins dancing about in their new pajamas exclaiming what a wonderful day they had.

Gabie, Jr and tia Stasia

At Walmart

We can never properly express our deep heartfelt gratitude to that precious angel who out of the blue decided to bless all those children with such extravagant love.  Her selflessness was an earthly expression of heavenly love for those sweet children.  However, we will remember her selfless act of love for many years to come.