Personal Reflections From Pastor Steve

This excerpt is from a sermon preached the week after returning

Several months ago, when considering whether I should be a part of the short-term missions team to Bolivia, I said to Pastor Sue, “I’m kind of worried that if I go, my heart might get so broken by the poverty and need that it might not get put back together. I might get wrecked.” Her response, blunt but exactly right, was, “oh, and God’s not big enough to handle that?”

I’m pleased to report that the opposite has happened! Instead of being wrecked by the poverty and need, I’m energized by the response of successful, Holy Spirit empowered ministry that is making significant differences in the face of poverty and need.

I’m energized that children who are forced to live in a crowded, confined, economically unstable prison environment are getting a chance at life in the name of Jesus. Our ministry, and I consider it a humble privilege to use the word “our” as we join in partnership, is breaking the cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

The Casa de la Amistad meets the need of 170 children – physical needs like food (inmates are provided 3.5 bolivianos, the equivalent of about 50 cents per day from which to meet all their needs for food); and physical needs like medical care (I was incredibly excited to learn that the Casa purchases medical insurance for each child registered in the program, which ensures they have access to the medical care they require). The ministry meets emotional needs like loving relationships with Christian adults who live normal lives, psychological needs through trained Christian counselors, and practical needs like space to do homework and help with that homework, or even as simply as being the liaison between school and home – something impossible for a parent in prison. And, of course, the ministry meets spiritual needs through teaching and modeling Christlikeness.

I’m energized at the difference that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the full Gospel of redemption of heart and soul and mind and emotion and body, can make in the lives of people. And I’ve come home with a new enthusiasm to see the Gospel make that kind of a difference in the lives of people here in Canada.

Transformed to Transform:
Last week we introduced you to Ivan, CBM staff in Bolivia with whom we spent almost all of our time. He did care for all of our practical needs, but he was far more than a translator, doctor, driver, etc… He led us spiritually. Early on, in one of our morning sessions, he expressed his deep desire that the six of us would be transformed by this experience, SO THAT our church in Canada could also be transformed. Since our relationship with the Bolivian church is a two-way partnership, whenever we introduced our church we asked that our partners would pray for us, that God would transform us and enable us to look out and minister to the people around us in the Name of Jesus. And they did, and continue, to pray that for us.

So What is it Going to Take?
As my heart “catches up” to being back in my own culture, I’m starting to ask the question, “what is it going to take” to bring that prayer to reality? What does it take to transform a church, which in turn can then transform our corner of the world??

It is a big question, to which we don't yet have all the answers. But Lord willing, we will see.