Originally posted 10/28/2010

When I left my house in South Georgia on Sunday afternoon, I thought to myself, “It’s been 5 years since Katrina. I don’t know if that will be the primary focus of this class or not, but it’s time to move on.” From my perspective, people suffer through fires, earthquakes, tornados, and even hurricanes, but at some point, they move on. I’ve known some of them. Some of them are family. I was anxious to see what the scope of the class would be. Monday and Tuesday were classroom sessions and after two days of discussions on the disaster, rebuilding process, and grief issues, I still had the same mindset. Pain hurts and there’s no way around that, but at some point you have to change your focus from the past and look more to the future.

Looking to the future was part of what I was able to do when we visited the Lower Ninth Ward on Wednesday. Several of the new homes there look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. With solar panels, some of the roofs swoop down and touch the ground on one side of the house. Others are elevated for parking beneath the house. But the architecture and aesthetics aren’t the only futuristic aspects. One or two were built to float, should floods ever come again. Several of these homes are designated as “Green” or “Earth Friendly.” The technology used in construction and inside the home is state of the art. These “Whoville-style” homes are few and far between. Many others are typical of suburban America. They’re nice, not especially fancy, but are certainly nice, comfortable homes. This only part of the story, however. For every new home, there stands one abandoned and condemned. With boarded doors and windows, they still had spray paint markings from the search and rescue teams. There are empty lots with nothing more than an old slab in the midst of tall grass. The rebuilding process is still in full swing.

Though there are many homes to be built and many folks displaced, it still didn’t rest well with me to hear so much talk about Katrina. It seemed to be not a defining point but the defining point in people’s lives.

Thursday, I walked with a group up and down a street immediately behind the seminary. Our assignment was to simply ask people if we could pray for them. We didn’t talk to many people. In fact, it wasn’t until we got to the end of the street that we met our first resident. We told him what we were doing and through that conversation he shared his Katrina experience. Joseph actually lived in a neighboring parish, but recounted a couple of stories for us. One story included a man who was clinging to his wife and child in the wake of the flood waters, one in each arm.  They were desperately waiting for rescue. The man was struggling to hold on to his family and told his wife he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold. She turned to him and said, “Let me go. Just hold on to our baby.” With that, this wife and mother floated away. My heart sank as Joseph shared this story. I have a wife. I have two precious sons and a daughter on the way. God had just given me a gift but in the moment, I was too dumb or too numb to realize it. He gave me someone that made it personal for me. I quickly realized this is a tragedy from which you never really “move on.” You pick up the pieces, sure, but life will never be the same. You will never return to “normal.” (Whatever normal is) How arrogant and presumptuous I had been? How insensitive, how foolish! I had been wrong, so wrong.

Next, we met Mrs. Ethel. She’s a saint. No, she doesn’t play for the football team. She answered the door in her house coat and curlers. Initially, she was skeptical to talk with us, but soon enough she warmed up to us and was eager and happy to tell her story. She had evacuated before Katrina hit but returned home to see that everything she owned was ruined. Somehow, in the midst of her tragic story, she had this glow about her. She seemed at peace. We asked her if it was ok to pray with her. She replied, “Yes. Pray, ‘God don’t move the mountain. Give me the strength to climb it.’”

After praying, we moved on and spoke next with Jeremy. He was a young man working on a house that had been flooded. They were gutting the house for free! His aunt was the owner of the house and his father was the contractor. About three years ago, his aunt had paid $150,000 to a stranger to rebuild her home. The con-artist took her money and fled for Canada. Apparently, that was a common practice. With no other options, her home has remained untouched since Katrina. Jeremy’s smile was as big as a Louisiana aligator as he talked about how huge this house was going to be. He said it would be the best house on the block. He was proud to be doing this for his aunt. I got the sense this wasn’t his only act of volunteerism.

God used three different people and their stories to change my heart and attitude. First of all, I learned from Joseph, that I am no judge of a person’s tragedy. To “walk a mile in someone’s shoes” is really an impossibility. As similar as my story may be, I will process it differently. I will grieve differently. I will cope differently. Through Mrs. Ethel, God reminded me He is still in control. True and lasting hope and joy come only from Him. Through Jeremy, God showed me that people who put others above themselves are still the greatest leaders. They, not the celebrities that throw money at building projects, are the real heros. God changed me and I’m grateful.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 from Ecuador

I’m not sure how, but I forgot to mention something that happened Tuesday. After breakfast, our group went down to Steve and Carol’s house. We heard their testimony of how they were called to Ecuador and how they were called to remain, even after IMB pulled out. Their story is one of faithfulness and trust in the providential hand of God. Steve then led us in a Bible study from 2 Kings 4. Of particular note was how the widow’s own children are involved in the miracle. Those that know, may understand how this teaching resonated with me.

Ok. Back to Thursday. 

This morning our team built benches for a church that meets in the jungle. We cut, sanded, assembled (glued, nailed, and screwed), puttied, and sanded again. I’m not sure how many benches were made but my estimate is 25.  The coolest thing to me is that these benches are most assuredly headed to the same tribe that Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and their team contacted almost 70 years ago. A tribe, perhaps best characterized by bloodshed, was changed by the gospel. Now they are meeting weekly for church. They may encounter a panther or anaconda on the way to church…what’s your excuse? There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. Jesus changes everything! 

A Three-Waterfall Kind of Day – This afternoon the team had a little bit of fun. Those who wanted, got into a basket on a zip line and “flew” several hundred feet above the river to the other side of the canyon. We zoomed over to get an incredible look at a magnificent waterfall! We got back in the bus to travel to our next stop, a place with a short hike to two more waterfalls. The hike took us past one waterfall that violently crashed into a massive pool called the “Devil’s Cauldron.” We continued on until we got to a cabled bridge that bounced and flexed with every step. Then, we climbed steep stone steps. This took us to the most incredible waterfall of the day. To me, it felt like Frodo Baggins meets Indiana Jones. Josh, Hannah, and I stood under or behind the falls. We serve such an amazingly creative God! Simply beautiful. 

We rounded out the night in the city of Baños. I’ve written about the Catholic Church there before but suffice it to say, the church’s teaching is seriously flawed. Jesus is never presented as a sufficient Savior, much less as the eternally, enthroned King. He is always depicted in a defeated state because he wasn’t quite enough to defeat satan and conquer death. It makes me both sad and angry. We got to walk around the city for a while before a delicious pizza dinner followed by ice cream. 

We will get up early tomorrow and begin our journey home. We will spend some time in Quito visiting the national cathedral and the artisan market. This will likely be the final update until we share in more detail at church. Until then, “Hasta luego!”

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 

I woke up Wednesday morning to the sound of the rain on the tin roof. It would have been easy to stay in bed but I had a couple thoughts that helped me rise this morning: (1) the coffee sure is good (2) this is our last day to see the kids at VBS. So with that, I rose to my feet, brushed my teeth, and headed to breakfast. 

It rained heavier today than yesterday so we were making alternate plans for recreation and crafts, but by the time we arrived at the school, the rain had stopped. Again, a blessing from God. By now the children are familiar with the routine. More high-impact disc throwing and soccer ball kicking and hugs, lots of hugs. 

I was again in the Bible story room. Marilyn and Liz told of how Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food of King Nebuchadnezzar. Instead they wanted to obey and honor the God of Israel. When they did this, God honored them. We used stick puppets to help tell the story. At the conclusion of the story with the oldest group, Chris shared the gospel and told them we had a gift for them. We gave each of the older kids a copy of the Gospel of John in Spanish. There were enough left over to give to every teacher and administrator. A couple of the teachers were especially engaged in the Bible stories over the last few days. Liz got to share with one of the teachers and she is really interested to hear about the “real Jesus.” (My words, not hers.) So much of what is taught here is salvation-by-works Catholicism. It was tough to leave the kids but hopefully, we will be able to return one day. 

After lunch we went back to the school to finish the painting and tile work. We were running short on paint but somehow we had just enough to get one coat in all 8 classrooms and to hit some spots with a second coat. In one room, we lifted the lockers back up and were able to anchor them to the wall. The tile work was almost finished but it is a room that isn’t used every day so the local mason should be able to complete the work. 

I had asked Chris yesterday if we could bring a weed eater and clean up the playground a little. He agreed and so we did. And we also brought a few extra grounds keepers, a set of scaffolding, and a 2-cycle set of hedge trimmers. We got all the trees and bushes trimmed. The playground and classrooms look so much better.

As we finished, the principal wanted to speak to our group. She was especially grateful for the work our group had done. She told us we would always be welcome at her school. We also discovered the school had planned to not pay their teachers for one month’s salary in order to repair the walls. Now they wouldn’t have to do that. God is good! We prayed as a group before leaving. I ask that you pray for this principal and her teachers. I don’t have their names right now, but God knows. 

When we got back to camp Chacauco, I showered and went to dinner…mmm…tacos. After dinner, the group gathered around a bonfire (with s’mores!) where we heard the testimonies of Chris and Madeline and how they ended up in Patate, Ecuador. Then Bob and I took turns playing guitar and leading various worship songs before we all concluded with Amazing Grace, a cappella.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from Patate, Ecuador

With Day 1 under our belts, Day 2 should operate much more smoothly, unless of course it rains, which it did. We weren’t really sure how the school would respond since there’s an old belief here that the rain will make you sick. It was never a heavy rain, but slowed even more by the time we needed to get started. 

We played full-contact frisbee again in the little grassy area. Many of the kids remembered our names from yesterday. It’s interesting that fun doesn’t have a language barrier. If you smile at someone, try to play a game with them, throw a ball, or laugh, then the language doesn’t seem to matter all that much. I saw Larry jumping up and down in sync with a small child. Bob was learning about recycling of plastic bottles from a little girl. Amie kept telling one little girl about her brother named Jason, but after a little help, we realized Jason is actually her husband. The rain really didn’t slow us down. 

In fact, the rain was like a gift from God. The temperature was much cooler and the heavy clouds provided protection from the sun, which is especially powerful in Ecuador. So with the rain basically past us, we gathered in the little courtyard again to sing our VBS songs. 

The Bible story today was about how God granted wisdom to King Solomon who in turn rightly judged which lady was the mother of the baby. I dressed as King Solomon to tell this story. To help engage the children, I asked them how they would respond if they could ask God for just one thing. I don’t want to spoil this. We will share it at church, but their answers were just incredible. Liz and Marilyn dressed up as two Israelite women fighting over…an inflatable monkey. (I’ve learned that sometimes on the mission field, you just use what you have.) In crafts, the kids decorated paper crowns to represent the wisdom that is needed for a king. Boy did those kids love those crowns. Great job Vickie, Marti, Amie, Hannah, and Larry! In recreation, the kids seemed to love the John and Peter relay race and the parachute games. Bob, Jackie, Josh, and Chase are so creative with these games that have a message. 

After VBS was over, we headed back to Camp Chacauco for lunch. When we arrived in the cafeteria, we discovered there were camp t-shirts for sale. I think everyone found something and purchased a t-shirt. I normally wear XXL but in Ecuador I’m EEEG. You probably didn’t care for that fun fact, but I figured I’d tell you anyway. Lunch was fried chicken and rice with a slice of watermelon. 

We left to go back to the school at 2:00. We needed to continue work on stripping, sanding, and sealing the masonry walls. There are nine classrooms we are working on. One room is getting retiled. Jeremy and Larry are working hard to lay tile. They roped Liz in under the guise of needing a translator and she stayed to help pour and mix the mud for the tiles. Four of the other classrooms got at least one coat of paint. Somehow, Jackie, Josh, and Chase put four coats of paint on their classroom wall in 2 1/2 hours and were told that their room was “perfecto.” 

The rest of us worked to clean some black mold, seal, and paint the other classrooms. All the rooms have now had water sealant applied. Four rooms need a base coat and second coat. Three rooms need a second coat only. No additional work is needed for the room that is “perfecto.” 

The principal again bought us a treat: arepas, which are very famous in Patate. These were very good. They have the consistency of dense cornbread but with a hint of pumpkin flavor and chunks of cheese baked in. Everyone got to try it, even if our rooms weren’t “perfecto.” 

Dinner was beef tips and rice. Dessert was banana bread…or perhaps plantain bread? A local couple, who operates a mobile artisan market, set up in the cafeteria. They had some nice things and most everyone was able to find a souvenir or two. After completing our preparation for our last day of VBS we sat at the outdoor picnic tables for games of Phase 10 and Heads Up. It’s alway a good time, especially after Marilyn proclaimed, “The fun girls are here!” 

We’ve worked hard and we’ve laughed a lot. I believe both work and laughter are some of God’s best gifts to us. 

Monday, May 27, 2024 from Patate, Ecuador

All the prep work. All the prayers. All the scripture study. All the coat hangers, glue bottles, boxes of Cheeze-Its, inflatables, and frisbees, came down to today. It was our first day of VBS. We planned for 100 kids but discovered there are 106 kids enrolled in the school. It started fast and furious, like a flurry of punches from a welterweight. The playground couldn’t have been more than 800 square feet and filled with swings, slides, seesaws, and tires. Somehow there was still enough room for a game of chase-the-ball that looked vaguely like soccer and another game of full-contact ultimate frisbee. 

Everyone was gathered in the courtyard just outside the Principal’s Office where we sang three of our four songs. After some introductions, the children were divided into three groups by ages. One group went to recreation, another to crafts, and a third group went to Bible story. I was in the Bible study group today where we learned about Samuel’s anointing of David as King. The children learned that God is more concerned with our heart than our outward appearance. 

The groups came quick and they were full of excitement and energy. One thing I found interesting was most of the kids were wearing jackets or sweaters. I was about to burn up, especially when I put my Samuel costume on. 

We all learned a few things, but overall, I would say it was a great first day. 

We came back to lunch at Camp Chacauco before heading back out about 2:00. We went back to the same school where we were for VBS. All their classrooms had water damage along with some mold along cement block walls. We sanded and scraped and sanded again. Sometimes we even bleached the walls. Then we sealed the block walls with some cement sealer. Tomorrow we will return to paint the walls and hopefully be done by Wednesday. 

The principal was so grateful for our team that she bought us a special treat. We had a slice of ham(?) inside a bun. Let me just say, that bread was really, really good. I’m not one to brag about bred too much, but this was good stuff. She also gave us some Coke…a nice taste of home. 

When we got back to camp, most of the men immediately took showers before going to dinner. I discovered most ladies had not showered before dinner. They said it had to do with the fact that their hair had to dry. I think maybe the men had just worked harder. Anyway, we all circled up to finalize plans for VBS Day 2. 

This is a really great team and we are stating to figure out or various strengths and weaknesses. God put us together and knew just what each would bring to the group. We have grown in our relationship to each other and are really connecting by serving the Lord. This team is full of servants who just want to be vessels of God’s blessing. I am personally grateful that I get to watch my children serve Jesus this week and I’m especially grateful for the men and women who are mentoring them. I love my church family!   

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Yesterday there was a wedding at the camp and what we thought was the praise team may have actually been the wedding party winding down last night. Either way, they serenaded Larry, Josh, Chase, and me along with Jeremy and Jackie, who’s room is right next to ours late into the night. The mattress I flipped up against the windows helped to keep most of the exterior light from shining down on me and Chase. I found the outdoor light switch about 6:30 this morning, so if there’s light shining on us tonight, that will be confirmation of our angelic personalities. At breakfast we discovered that apparently the band drowned out the barking dogs over near the ladies cabin, which is across the soccer field. I share all this not so much as a complaint, but as humor. 

Breakfast was scrambled eggs, a cheese pastry, fruit, and pineapple juice. We loaded the bus in our Sunday best to go worship with Eternal Word Baptist Church. Chris, our missionary, is one of the four pastors or elders of the church. They have a rotation for preaching and meet throughout the week in various small groups for discipleship. As a new church, they have yet to formalize church membership but that is soon on the horizon. 

The church sits in a one room building with tile floor and plaster or sheetrock walls. Actually, there is another room, the restroom, which is accessed by a door midway down the sanctuary and on the left. If you know anything about the layout of FBC Senoia, then you’ll know we all felt right at home. After greeting everyone and finding our seats in the white plastic chairs, the service started with the reading of Psalm 107. Next we sang three songs. I’ve often thought worshipping God in a different language is a glimpse of what heaven will be, a peak behind the curtain to reveal the glory of God. I may not understand all the words, but I understand the message: Jesus is King! 

After music, I was graciously asked to preach. The sermon came from Exodus 3 where God reveals his name, I AM, to Moses. After the sermon Hannah shared her testimony. She talked about how Christ saved her one Christmas Eve Service in which she wasn’t allowed to partake in the Lord’s Supper. Then Marti shared her testimony, which includes understanding that simply following the rules isn’t what a relationship with Christ is all about. Larry also told his story of growing up knowing about God but not knowing God until he was an adult. 

I forgot something…As worship started, the kids gathered into a side area (same room just off to the side) where they were taught I’m in the Lord’s Army. They learned this song while the rest of the church worshipped together. They were noisy just like kids are supposed be, and I loved it. There is something special about all generations worshipping together, again, a glimpse of what heaven must be. To finish the worship service, they sang and danced to the motions. It was a fitting conclusion to the service. 

We got back on the bus and traveled for about an hour to lunch. Fried yucca, plantain ball soup, rosemary chicken -or- beef burrito, and pumpkin bread. Another hour trip and we were back to the camp. Part of the group walked down to the river and bridge, but they’ll have to tell that story as I was checking my eyelids for cracks. 

Early Sunday evening we gathered to go separate and organize VBS materials, eat supper, and rehearse for Day 1 of VBS. We practiced our songs (in Spanish) and the motions. Bob, Jackie, Chase, and Hannah finalized a plan for recreation. Jeremy is telling the story of King David’s anointing while me, Larry, and Josh act it out. Larry is Jesse, Josh is David, and I am Samuel. Vickie, Julie, and Marti have paper hearts to be decorated and remind the kids of the heart of King David. Liz, Marilyn, and Amie are floating around tomorrow to fill in where needed. We will have some different jobs each day. 

Walking back to the dorms, we stopped to look at a few stars that we can’t see back home in Georgia. The most significant constellation is the Southern Cross. It’s just another reminder that we serve a magnificent God. I pray for good rest, because tomorrow we begin Vacation Bible School, at a local school. I may never march in the infantry, shoot the artillery, ride in the cavalry, zoom over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s army. YES SIR!

Patate, Ecuador Saturday, May 25, 2024 

Our team of 14 made it to Quito and got a night’s rest at the Holiday Inn near the airport on Friday. The next morning started early with a huge all-you-can eat breakfast, except for soft drinks which cost extra, but the coffee, fresh fruit, breads, eggs, and shrimp were great. Did I mention the coffee? Mmm mmm. I ate about half a bowl of seafood ceviche. It was alright but I thought it had too much lime. Jeremy and Jackie liked it, but then again they are from Mississippi. Julie said it was good, too. 

Next, we were on our way to the equator monument, which is a few hundred yards off, but not bad for French explorers 400 years ago. It made for some nice photos, souvenirs, and memories. I ate a banana split ice cream popsicle. Jackie and Jeremy love to share. Jerermy shared his roasted guinea pig with whoever wanted some and Jackie shared her vanilla, caramel frappacino double shot thing with whipped cream, mostly she just shared it with Julie…all down her arm and pants leg, but I digress. Lunch came a little later and included a hot tea or cider drink, blackberry juice, and potato soup. We each had our choice of chicken, beef, or pork as our main dish. 

More traveling and we ended up at camp. After dropping our stuff in our rooms, we got a campus tour. We ended the evening in the seminary where we ate supper and discussed a few details regarding VBS. As I type this, we are all in our rooms. Josh, Larry, Chase, and I are in a room with 20 bunks but because we’re men, we each have a corner of the room. I’m exhausted and hope to fall asleep as soon as the praise team, who is on the other side of this non-insulated wall finishes rehearsal.

We’re headed to worship tomorrow. I’ll preach at the Eternal Word Baptist Church and a couple of folks from our group will share their testimonies. God is good. 

A Good Friday Reflection

They came to a place called Golgotha a place whose name means “The Place of the Skull.” As I understand it, there’s a hill outside Jerusalem presumed to be the place where crucifixions took place. The side of this hill has a few caves that create a skull-like image. It’s not a place to go for a picnic. Going to Golgotha was not a joyous occasion. Golgotha was a place of death. 

Then they divided his clothes. As if being beaten, whipped, mocked, and having nails driven through his hands and feet weren’t enough, they stripped him of any dignity that might remain. They take his clothes. They had already done this early that morning, but that time they placed a robe around him, along with a crown of thorns on his head. 

They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head. Matthew 27: 28-30

The chief priests, the scribes, the elders, they all mocked Jesus saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He trusts in God; Let God rescue him now.” The criminals taunted him. Look to Jesus and find grace. 

Jesus was stripped of his dignity by the Roman guards. He was mocked and chastised by the chief priests and the Sanhedrin. He was taunted by the other criminals. He was deserted by his friends. And as he was on the cross, even the sun itself went dark…for three hours. 

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. (Matt 27:45)

This was no solar eclipse…eclipses don’t last for three hours. This was more than that. It was more than a natural event. It was supernatural. That is…it was beyond nature. As Paul shares in Romans 8, when sin entered the world through Adam, the entirety of creation became tainted. 

So here on the cross, we have the sinless Son of God taking on the sin of the whole world. My sin and your sin. The Light of the World bore the full weight of sin, which is so dark and so heavy that not even the sun will shine. Stripped, mocked, chastised, and abandoned by Romans, by the Jews, by his friends, by nature…and then we read this: 

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemásabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matt. 27:46)

Do you understand? Do I understand? Why? What had Jesus done to deserve this? I thought God was a God of justice. This seems the most unjust thing that could ever happen. How can a man, who knew no sin, die on a cross? But this question only scratches the surface, for I can conceive of wrongful death. I can conceive of planted evidence, a case of framing an enemy, a jury that’s been bribed. But this is more. God himself has turned his back on Jesus. The Father has abandoned the Son. 

So let me ask again, “Where is the justice?” But let me counter that with another thought…the Bible also tells us that God’s mercy is everlasting. So we serve a God who is completely and wholly just yet who is full of mercy. How can this be? If God is just and merciful, how can it be then that Jesus was unjustly, mercilessly beaten, chastised, abandoned, and crucified?

God is just. Make no mistake about that. God is just and sin must be punished. To put the world in order, to make the world right, sin must be abolished. Paul in Romans tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” So, when the sin of the world was placed on Christ, He had to die. God is just. But there’s more. 

God is merciful. Just as fervently, here I stand. God is merciful. Jesus took my place. It should have been me. I am the sinner. We all are the sinners. Again Paul is helpful, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus took my place. God is merciful.

God’s justice and God’s mercy are perfectly satisfied in the simple statement, “Jesus died.” Look to Jesus and find grace.

The Bible also speaks of forgiveness. How does forgiveness work? To forgive is to absorb the pain, the hurt, to absorb the offense. My sin and your sin was credited to him so that he then absorbs the wrath that was due us. The wrath of God is poured out on all sin and ungodliness. The wrath of God was satisfied on the cross, as Jesus took the sin of the world on his shoulders. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” 

In a grand cosmic display, God’s perfect justice collides with God’s unending mercy on the cross of Jesus so that you and I may be forgiven of our sins. 

I don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve it. Jesus didn’t deserve it. But this is grace. 

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. (Matt 27:47-50)

Jesus, abandoned by most of his friends, mocked by society, and forsaken by God, Jesus breathed his last. Look to Jesus and find grace. 

When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released.So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen,and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. (Matt 27:57-61)

Jesus was crucified. His lifeless body sealed in a tomb. Jesus is dead. It’s good to stay here…but not for long. 

In the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, two friends discuss the ethics of theft. The exchange is lighthearted and amusing yet surprisingly enlightening. 

Pete: You miserable little snake! You stole from my kin!
Ulysses Everett McGill: Who was fixin’ to betray us.
Pete: You didn’t know that at the time.
Ulysses Everett McGill: So I borrowed it until I did know.
Pete: That don’t make no sense!
Ulysses Everett McGill: Pete, it’s a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.

We live in a post-modern world, where truth is relative. What’s true for you may not be true for me. You can have your own truth. In fact, the only truth is – there is no truth. Validation is rooted more in feelings than facts. Of course, no one really believes this. Even those who profess to adhere to this no-truth claim don’t live by it. They can’t. Just try to injure them or offend them. They are sure to point out that you shouldn’t or can’t do…that. I hope you see the failed logic of such thinking. 

Examples:
1. Use someone’s biological pronoun instead of the preferred, chosen one.
2. State that gender and biological sex are synonymous.
3. Make the exclusive statement that only women can become pregnant.

These statements, whether declared emphatically or, as in some instances, merely suggested, can trigger progressive, post-moderns into a tantrum. In bursts of outrage, you might be met with alternative language like “birthing person” or “people with the capacity of pregnancy.” You may also be told you have any number of phobias. 

But it gets even more bizarre. While speaking about biology and biological facts might be labeled hate speech, apparently speaking up in favor of a federally recognized terrorist organization falls under the protections of “free speech.” Yes, I’m speaking of Hamas and the pro-Palestinian rallies on some of our college campuses. I’m also speaking about much of the same language used by some of our elected officials! I’m not a legal expert, but this seems…treasonous. 

Pete was right, “That don’t make no sense.”

Now to be clear, I believe we can be, should be, pro-human (including Palestinians) while simultaneously decrying the actions, the ideologies of terrorists (including Hamas). We are to champion human life, ALL human life because, as Genesis tells us, all humans are created imago dei, in the image of God. At the same time, we denounce evil. So what do we do with evil people? 

But now we’ve come full circle. Who’s to say what is evil? What is “right” or “wrong?” The same terrorist groups, condemned by the US and our allies, believe the barbaric atrocities, the inhuman slaughterings of children, are good, right, and honorable. So who is right? A postmodern worldview has to conclude that neither side is right and yet both are right. Perhaps it is right for them in the moment. So what are we to do?

A biblical worldview is helpful here. We begin by recognizing the Bible’s teaching that every person has a predisposition toward evil because all of creation is now under the curse of sin. The end result of sin is death. Sin and death lead to broken lives, despair, and emptiness. People are longing for love, acceptance, worth, and security. God created us to be in perfect unity with him. Sin messed that relationship up, separating us from God. Our hearts are dark. Our minds are corrupt. This is where Ulysses was right, “…it’s a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.”

You and I, and everyone else, have broken fellowship with God and can do nothing to resolve that. But, “Praise God!” Jesus DID do something about it. He paid the penalty I owed for the life I lived. He took my sin and gave me his righteousness. He took my broken life and made me whole. He took my despair and game me hope. He took my emptiness and filled me. He took my death and gave me eternal life! He changed my heart, my affections, my worship. I want to do what’s right. It doesn’t mean I have been made perfect, but the perfect One’s blood covers my sin. My heart has been renewed.

While it might sound nice to suggest there is no truth, the truth is, you can’t live that way. There must be truth or the whole universe collapses. There is truth and the truth holds many applications in our world. Out of truth flows justice and justice is established by right and wrong, fair and unfair. Additionally, an objective, moral standard exists. The God of the Bible is the moral standard and the good news about his Son is the only thing that can renew our minds and change our hearts. The gospel is the only truth where someone confused about who they are can find love, acceptance, and security. The gospel is the only power that can stop groups like Hamas. The truth is, the only message that can change a human heart is the message of Jesus Christ, son of the living God.

July 27, 2023

This morning we made our way north toward Quito into the city of Pujilí to observe a medical clinic and meet Pastor Felix Torres. This was day 4 for the medical clinic with 6 doctors, 3 dentists, 2 pharmacists, and many nurses, translators, and other volunteers. Most of the medical professionals came from a partnering church in Shreveport, LA. They have been coming once per year for about 17 years. Everybody who was seen at the clinic was given a gospel presentation using the evangecube, a New Testament, and a gospel tract. They were then triaged (blood pressure, temperature, questionnaire, etc.) before moving on to a deworming station. Standard procedure is everyone receives deworming medication once every six months unless there are complicating factors. The patients then tried on reading glasses and/or sunglasses. Many were able to see clearly for the first time in years. The next stop was in the doctor’s office who could prescribe certain medications. They would take their scripts to the pharmacy and be on their way unless there was a need to visit the dentist upstairs. Three dentists were working this week, 2 filled cavities while one other did extractions (25 by 10:30 AM). By Wednesday (day 3), they had seen 1500 patients. All heard the gospel and had the chance to respond and all who responded will be followed up with next week. Simply amazing! 

Oftentimes, one of the more difficult logistical hurdles is finding a space for the clinic. The facility being used this week is the meeting place for the local chauffeur association. The owner of the property told the clinic he would not charge rent because he knew this would be a good thing for the community. As it turns out, he also heard the gospel…and…is also now a believer! God is good. 

We came back to the Patate for lunch about 1:00 and then had some down time at the camp. This afternoon, we went back into Patate to visit the Catholic Church, Señor del Terremoto or Lord of the Earthquake. The church’s teaching is blended with local pagan deities and Mary is idolized. Chris wanted us to go back over to Baños to visit the larger Catholic Church there, also. Upon arrival, we noticed they had just started 6:00 mass, but the doors were open to visitors.

Immediately upon entering, I noticed Mary’s prominence in the church. Paintings and depictions all around the sanctuary made it clear that people must pray the rosary to gain access to Mary and then pray to Mary to gain access to Christ. Many paintings attributed local miracles to Mary. Another showed Mary crushing Satan under her feet as she stomped on his head. Still another showed Mary with a scale of justice in her hand enthroned over what appeared to be tormented people in purgatory. Jesus was always shown in a defeated state, mostly on the cross but in one painting a dejected Jesus, seated with his head in his hands, saying, “What more could I have done?” There was even a station that showed Jesus’ body in a casket. 

I felt myself becoming angry. Is this what Jesus felt when he called the Pharisees a brood of vipers? There may have been 100 in the congregation and I wanted so badly to tell them to read their Bibles but — no one had a copy of God’s Word with them. How can people be so blind? Can’t they just read the words of the Bible? How can the “church” leaders live with themselves, deceiving people in the name of King Jesus! 

To preach the gospel here, salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, is such a greater work because of the perversion of Catholic doctrine. The veil is torn. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He, alone, is our mediator. His blood is sufficient. I am saved by grace through faith, not of works. Mary has no more to do with my salvation than the llama that roams this campground. It’s Jesus, only Jesus. 

I could be wrong, but from what I understand, the IMB considers this area as a reached people group. I don’t have anything official, but my observation and estimation is less than 2% are true believers.