07 July 2007

Flat Tires and Garbage Fires

After having been here for three weeks I have changed 3 tires...and I don't even have a vehicle. I went with my friends Carlos and Melissa tonight to Pilar's house to watch "Pay it Forward" with the kids from the scholarship program. Finally got to hang out with Enrique and Pedro, and visited with their Mom, Patricia, for a little while. She makes this wonderful little snack called "Bunelos." New favorite. "Pay it Forward" is about giving to the next person rather than repaying the person that helped you. The movie was very poignant...given a story another missionary told me this week.

He said that in Africa, a man came up to a missionary and said, "You have been robbing us!" When asked how, he said, "You come and you give and give and give. But the Bible says, it is more blessed to give than to receive! You haven't taught us how to give, but to take."

Now, lets look at how Paul planted his churches. Did he go in giving tons to the people? Not exactly. He counseled them on how to be their own churches, but left the final decisions and the choice to reach out to the people within them. That's what we should be doing as missionaries (wherever you are). Yes, giving is important! But discipling others to give is much more important that just enabling a new group of takers. We should view them not as just poor, needy folk, but fellow workers for the truth. We should teach how to be Christlike by acting humbly and giving our own lives for the sake of the Name, and also guiding others to do the same. Allowing them to make the decisions of how their local church will reach out as the Body of Christ.

...and on the way home Carlos got a flat tire, so I waited with his car while he took it to get it fixed. The spare was flat too. Flat tires are pretty common when you drive in La Chureca. Tonight was the first time I have been in La Chureca at night. The garbage fires have a bitter beauty about them after dark. Anyhow while I was waiting by the car it was an unexpected chance to pray for my friends and their ministries. As Carlos dropped me off he said, "Thanks for the help, buddy!"

...and I actually got to say, "Hey, pay it forward."

I know he will. That's the way he lives his life.