If I Do Not Love

Tonight I witnessed an event that tremendously impacted me! It was a picture of love in action—of service in a whole different place—and it was a privilege to be there and see it with my own eyes. I will often remember the meeting at David and Anna’s house!

Our time in Consuelo began after a 30 km ride through the countryside—complete with another lesson in fixing a flat tire! J We were greeted in Consuelo by our host family—David and Anna—and told that these dear people had come to the Lord only 4 months before but now had a great passion for reaching out to the village of Consuelo!

We spent the afternoon talking (which Bolivians love to do) and visiting the homes in the village. We invited everyone to come to David and Anna’s that night—telling them there was a special program happening.  Almost everyone promised to come.

And then the meeting that has so deeply impacted me. After some testimonies and singing there was a presentation: the pastor explained that David and Anna wanted to live out their new faith—to show love, pursue fellowship, and make sacrifices to serve others—and therefore they were giving most of their land to create gardens, clearings, and other places of fellowship for the community. And we, the visitors, would be breaking ground on this new project as a picture of love and service to them.

Paul’s words, “If I have the tongue of men and of angels, but have not love, I am but a clanging gong or a resounding symbol” have been resonating deeply with me ever since. This is love! These people are giving away their land—their livelihood in this culture—to serve the deeper needs of the community. There is so much potential for lives to be changed! There are so many relationships which this family can deepen! Please be in prayer that the hearts and minds of these people would be prepared for the gospel and that its truth would resonate deeply with their lives.

We cannot wait to serve tomorrow! We are excited to get our hands wet, to put in a hard day’s work, and to be an encouragement to the believers here. We are excited to let you know what God does in this time!!