I have traveled a whole lot in the past year. This time last year I was getting ready to head to China and then spend a semester traveling Europe to study architecture. It is such a tremendous experience to be a stranger in a land not your own- to know so little of a language and culture you find yourself submerged in. Somehow, no matter where I have been in the past year, I have discovered that people are very much the same; we share so many of the same concerns and joys and all hunger for a fuller richer life.
Today we went to church for the first time and were welcomed with smiles and pecks on the cheek. The small, simple, cool, concrete structure housed so much warmth and life and people of all different ages. We sang, and sang, and sang for forty minutes and praised God as one voice. My Spanish is getting better and I could sometimes understand the general message of each song, but what was more importante was our hearts being tuned in harmony with one another. We came to worship one God as one church universal.
This unity was perfectly illustrated in our taking communion together. It has been a while since I've taken communion, and in my travels it has often been difficult to do so. When I partake in it, it fills me in a way few things in our Christian lives can. It goes far beyond simply remembering the cost paid by our Savior of our lives (which is plenty enough), way beyond our theological debates on how and why, it is simply sharing a spiritual meal with mi familia in the loving presence of the Father. It is a simple, yet profound experience when your heart is open.
I can picture the disciples sitting around a table together sharing stories and testimonies about the amazing things they had seen and been part of, and Jesus focusing their bewildered enthusiasm on something more transcendent and powerful. Focusing us on the meaning and heart of what he had come to do, to restore our relationship to the Father and expand our love for one another. How great is it that he chose a meal to do that! To fill us with himself so we can give ourselves to others without worrying about not having enough.
Poverty is something that grips me every time I travel. Breaks my heart that I have so much and give so little away. It is not hard to see poverty here in Ecuador, but how to respond? That is always a daunting question. Do you start with the soul and then feed the body, or do you meet the physical needs and then work on the heart? Can you do both at the same time? When I consider the sustenance that God provides abundantly, I realize that those questions only keep problems at arms length. It matters little where you start since we have all we really need in Christ, we must be willing to do and God will make both happen in his time. I realize that that is certainly easier said then done. Even for me living with missionaries it is hard. And for them it is hard (I'll share some stories later.) The spirit is willing but the flesh is so weak. The greatest poverty is indifference. Oh Lord that you would make us more willing to tangibly love our neighbor.
Well I guess that is it from me. I need to will myself off the computer and head out to play futbol! (Soccer for all you kids back home.) We have been invited to a game with members of the church. Even with the altitude I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Well... hopefully.
Grace and peace be with you all.
nick
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