Bound Together (Guest Post)

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 2:14

Something amazing is happening here. We are seeing two different churches from two different countries speaking two different languages serving together as one. Language barriers are being broken down, and humility abounds here between the two groups. And it is a beautiful thing to see.

Yesterday we had a big party for the children of the church and the surrounding neighborhood. It was complete with pinatas, candy, toys, puppets, and even clowns. Most of the party was led and directed by the youth and young adults of the church. It was so inspiring to see these young people care, nurture, and just plain have fun with the children at the party. If you add in a few awkward American clowns, you get a pretty good picture of what the unity looked like. We were working together for God's purpose.

This unity is definitely an answer to prayer. Before we left, I asked my mentor to pray that we would have team unity. Close-mindedly, I was only asking that for the 13 of us from Oakland. But as He so often does, God answered my prayer in an unexpected way.  Our team is now made up of the 13 of us plus the people of the church here in Chalchuapa. I believe this is what God intended all along.

When we were preparing for this trip, we learned something important. I guess it is pretty common for American mission trip teams to think that it is their job to be the heroes. There is the notion that we are going to come with all of our mighty resources and rescue these poor people who have nothing. But early on at one of our team meetings, we learned that we are supposed to do ministry WITH them, not FOR them. They don't need us to save them, they just need our support.

Bound together in unity by the same love for the same God. Beautiful. Inspiring. Perfect indeed.

Jackie