| | May 2016 Firsthand Is Different
Growing up in the church, I saw or read plenty of missionary stories. The articles in the magazines or the WELS Connection video updates showed us pictures and video of our missionaries interacting with the people of some foreign land. They'd be giving helpful gifts, playing with children, and telling people about Jesus...and we'd hear the story of how eagerly the people welcomed the missionaries and how thankful they were to hear the Gospel.
These stories were as familiar as they were distant. They were things that happened in far away places. I wasn't sure what it would feel like if I ever had the chance to experience them firsthand.
Therefore, being in Costa Maya was a bit surreal. Suddenly I was there, experiencing firsthand what I'd seen only in videos or magazines. It was a little like stepping into a WELS Connection video, but while it was surreal in that way, it was also incredibly enriching in its realness. Let me give you some examples.
Pulticub: I was not surprised by what I saw; I knew there were people living with no running water or electricity or modern conveniences. Yet, here I was stepping into their world, bringing them things that were a part of my everyday life - like stickers and toothbrushes and cheap plastic cross necklaces - and they were drawing me into their life - serving a meal cooked over a fire, showing us the iguana they had caught, and explaining how to open a coconut to get the milk out. Our missionary explained sin and grace to them, I played guitar as we sang, and they showed gratitude that we had brought them gifts and the Gospel. I left unsurprised, but changed in small ways, and richer for having shared that time with them. | | *******************************************
Kilometer 55: In this area of Mahahual, I saw a place of poverty and need unlike anything I've ever personally visited. Once again, I wasn't surprised. I know such places exist. Yet, to see it firsthand works a change on the heart. It becomes real, and the desire to do something about it increases. I was thankful that we had a chance to do something about it - to bring children from there to our mission, to give them a meal and to teach them the simple truths about their Savior and what he has done to save them. Feeding them a sandwich, some chips, and a granola bar may not make a major change in their lives, but if it shows them the love of Jesus and opens their hearts to the message we bring, it can have an eternal impact.
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Rio Indio: We joined a group of men and women for Bible study. I'm working on my Spanish, but I have a long way to go before I can easily converse in it. So it was very encouraging when one of the men came up to me and told me - in English and with a twinkle in his eye - that he enjoys speaking to gringos in their own language. More encouraging than that, though, was to be welcomed into the circle, to speak together about what God's Word tells us and how good our God is. To hear men reflect on the simple truths of the Gospel that they have come to know and love, to hear women speak out of the peace they have found in Jesus. There's a fellowship that overcomes all barriers of language and culture, where we gather together as one under the one God. | | My Take-Away: I am very thankful for the few days I spent with our mission in Costa Maya. I now know from personal experience what the missionary stories are all about. I'm carrying back to my congregation the fire that was lit within me to support this mission and make the most of the opportunities there. I look forward to what God can do through us as we work together in the future.
Hasta luego, Costa Maya. Can't wait to see you again. ~Brandon Steenbock ****************************************** Donations may be made online at www.Costamayaministries.org or by check mailed to Christ Lutheran Church,121 N 3rd Street, Eagle River, WI 54521. | | | | |
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