Our trip ended a bit prematurely and now we are resting well in Sucre waiting for Navidad to arrive. This was my last trip to the communities but I am blessed to say it was probably the best of trips I could have hoped for.
We arrived in Quchumi the 11th of November with the hope of telling stories to Santo Filipe with whom we had the pleasure of telling the first day of creation the last day of the last trip. It was his interest in the stories that gave us reason to return to Quchumi without having to wipe the dust from our feet.
We still stayed with Don, the man of peace with whom we had much trouble on the last trip and as always were promised with much work. ¨Siempre hay trabajo.¨ After a day or two getting into the routine (as much as one can hope for a routine that is) we visited Santo Filipe and set a date to learn the stories, which was only a day or two away. When the date arrived Santo did not show up. Disappointed we continued with the order of the day which was working on an Adobe with Don.
During the last trip we had more or less given up hope on Don learning the stories or even having interest. We found him much more agreeable from the first day of our arrival. On the same day we were supposed to meet with Santo Filipe, we finally finished work around three. To my great joy and surprise Don asked if we were going to study the story. I was more shocked than anything that my partner had to respond and say that we would be happy to teach the story.
That day I told the first two days of creation. Don kept saying he wanted to learn and was actually very adamant about it. It is amazing how the LORD orders things, this life, and all that we experience. It is always in His timing, His way; we had done nothing to spur this man’s interest and desire. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was moving in him.
From then on until we left we taught stories usually at the request of Don. Starting from the creation we made it as far as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Throughout this time we could see a real change in our man of peace. There was more of a willingness and trust between us. Don was comfortable enough to ask questions like if the sun was a god. Through our stories and discussions we were able to see more barriers and bridges to the Gospel.
There was a change in Don’s son, Philemon, as well. The same kid that mocked us last time during the stories we found sitting at first in the background seemingly disinterested to later participating in all of our stories. He even asked if he could copy the story of Cain and Abel.
After the first few days we rarely saw Santo Filipe much to our disappointment. Though one of the best moments during the whole trip was when we were called to one of the village meetings. They were passing out seeds for their crops and when they were done asked if we could give an orientation of our work. I explained briefly our purpose to which they asked for a story. I then told the first two days of creation. Being a long story I wasn’t sure if they wanted to hear the whole thing. They asked Don if that was all and he responded, ¨No, there is way more than that!¨ I then completed the whole story of the creation in Quechua to the whole community of Quchumi. It is overwhelming to think that God would use someone like me in such a way. One of the greatest moments I have had in South America. After my story they asked Efrain for the story of the fall of man.
During this trip we helped build a meeting house for the community. I asked if we could later tell stories there and all were more than happy to agree.
Throughout this time I was keenly aware that God was moving. Quchumi is a beautiful place that sits on the side of a mountain leading down to a river separating the mountains opposing the community. It was as if the mountains stood as a testimony of the power, the majesty of God. I was reminded of the prayer of Moses, the man of God, ¨Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.¨ God, the Everlasting God, had formed these mountains with the hearts of these men in mind. It was beautiful to see how God worked in Quchumi and to see it was all Him. May I never doubt the power and glory of God who is from everlasting to everlasting.
We arrived in Quchumi the 11th of November with the hope of telling stories to Santo Filipe with whom we had the pleasure of telling the first day of creation the last day of the last trip. It was his interest in the stories that gave us reason to return to Quchumi without having to wipe the dust from our feet.
We still stayed with Don, the man of peace with whom we had much trouble on the last trip and as always were promised with much work. ¨Siempre hay trabajo.¨ After a day or two getting into the routine (as much as one can hope for a routine that is) we visited Santo Filipe and set a date to learn the stories, which was only a day or two away. When the date arrived Santo did not show up. Disappointed we continued with the order of the day which was working on an Adobe with Don.
During the last trip we had more or less given up hope on Don learning the stories or even having interest. We found him much more agreeable from the first day of our arrival. On the same day we were supposed to meet with Santo Filipe, we finally finished work around three. To my great joy and surprise Don asked if we were going to study the story. I was more shocked than anything that my partner had to respond and say that we would be happy to teach the story.
That day I told the first two days of creation. Don kept saying he wanted to learn and was actually very adamant about it. It is amazing how the LORD orders things, this life, and all that we experience. It is always in His timing, His way; we had done nothing to spur this man’s interest and desire. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was moving in him.
From then on until we left we taught stories usually at the request of Don. Starting from the creation we made it as far as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Throughout this time we could see a real change in our man of peace. There was more of a willingness and trust between us. Don was comfortable enough to ask questions like if the sun was a god. Through our stories and discussions we were able to see more barriers and bridges to the Gospel.
There was a change in Don’s son, Philemon, as well. The same kid that mocked us last time during the stories we found sitting at first in the background seemingly disinterested to later participating in all of our stories. He even asked if he could copy the story of Cain and Abel.
After the first few days we rarely saw Santo Filipe much to our disappointment. Though one of the best moments during the whole trip was when we were called to one of the village meetings. They were passing out seeds for their crops and when they were done asked if we could give an orientation of our work. I explained briefly our purpose to which they asked for a story. I then told the first two days of creation. Being a long story I wasn’t sure if they wanted to hear the whole thing. They asked Don if that was all and he responded, ¨No, there is way more than that!¨ I then completed the whole story of the creation in Quechua to the whole community of Quchumi. It is overwhelming to think that God would use someone like me in such a way. One of the greatest moments I have had in South America. After my story they asked Efrain for the story of the fall of man.
During this trip we helped build a meeting house for the community. I asked if we could later tell stories there and all were more than happy to agree.
Throughout this time I was keenly aware that God was moving. Quchumi is a beautiful place that sits on the side of a mountain leading down to a river separating the mountains opposing the community. It was as if the mountains stood as a testimony of the power, the majesty of God. I was reminded of the prayer of Moses, the man of God, ¨Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.¨ God, the Everlasting God, had formed these mountains with the hearts of these men in mind. It was beautiful to see how God worked in Quchumi and to see it was all Him. May I never doubt the power and glory of God who is from everlasting to everlasting.
3 comments:
graham, it is awesome to hear how God is at work in you and how He is using you in amazing ways to reach people who have never heard the good news! thank you for being faithful to Him and being such a great example to the rest of us. we love and miss you! have a merry, merry christmas!
hannah
Graham, I enjoyed reading about your work. I appreciate your faithfulness and willingness to be used by God in this way. It is awesome to be used as His tool to do His work. Looking forward to hanging out some when your in town.
Josh Moran
Graham, I was gonna write this in spanish, but I want to really get across what I'm saying here. It is one thing to read words from some believer everyone says is something, but another to be encouraged by the words of a fellow soldier you know. Your blog is the most encouraging I read and comes across, not as some far away spectator speculating about life, but as a fellow soldier with whom I may share stories of scars and have actually bled beside. Your walk has encouraged me more than you know, and I am so blessed to see what God, by His power has done as you struggle to see Him alone glorified. Keep in touch, bro. and continue to live out the Gospel, imitating the One Holy and Faithful God.
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