By: Obed Pineda
Lessons I Learned from Arequipa:
“Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.” (Mark 2:3)
It was a crisp Sunday morning in Arequipa on July 14th. Experiencing such exquisite, cool weather in the month of July felt surreal, considering that just a few days earlier I had found myself immersed in the brutal and suffocating Texas summer heat, which is more typical for me around that time. In addition to trying to wrap my mind around the reality that in Peru July is a winter month (because it is located in the southern hemisphere) my breath was also taken away by the sheer beauty of the Andes Mountains standing majestically before us. Along with the mesmerizing mountain range, the mighty volcano Misty welcomed us into its domain as well. It almost seemed purposefully poetic that the tiny church building where the Church assembled was located in front of an intimidating volcano flanked by several towering mountains. There we were excitedly taking in the elegance of the scenery encompassing us, when the voice of our director broke through the enchanting allurement. It behooves me to explain that we had arrived the church building about two hours early (before worship was scheduled to begin) and for this reason we were able to take a moment to admire the small town where we waited. The night before it had been explained to us that after morning worship we would be separated into teams, and each team would be assigned a zone where it was to concentrate on evangelizing. Furthermore, we were reminded that a Vacation Bible School (i.e. VBS) and Gospel meeting would be happening simultaneously during this campaign. Therefore, each one of us needed to notify Cary if we preferred to assist with VBS or go out into the field to evangelize, since the local members of the congregation would be taking the lead on the preparations for the Gospel meeting. When I heard this, I was reminded of Holy Writ as it declares, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all” (1st Corinthians 12:4-6). Truthfully, there was no “minor” role because every part was vital in order to accomplish the whole (cf. 1st Corinthians 12:14-25). This served as an essential reminder as well; we were all there to work. From the youngest to the oldest, responsibilities were appropriated to everyone according to each one’s ability. Once more, the keen observation skills of our director shined brightly when the duties were fairly distributed among the group (cf. Romans 12:6-8). In retrospect, it now becomes resplendently clear that our leader had sagely used the time that we traveled from Lima to Arequipa to watch those he knew very little about closely with the purpose of learning where we would fit best. This reality manifested when he chose to follow the suggestion he received from one of the sisters (from Lima) who had worked together with him on other missionary campaigns in Peru. When his voice recaptured our attention from the lustrous view of the Andes, Cary stated that he had been asked, “Why not take advantage of the free time to go and invite members of the community living (quite literally in some cases) next to the church building since we have arrived early for worship? Our sister’s query echoed the apostle Peter’s exhortation declaring, “Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2nd Peter 1:10). Even though we had not yet been split into teams, this was not a reason for us not to use the time wisely. On the contrary it provided a golden opportunity for us to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). Deeming our sister’s exhortation just and wise, we were instructed to go and welcome the community within close proximity to join us for worship. It would be the first of many instances where we would hear what became our battle cry: “Let’s go to work!” Taking this idea and putting it into fruition provided our director with a better view of what spiritual talent each one of us brought to the table. This, too, unveiled the different levels of experience each member of the campaign had. Regardless of these important details, one thing shared by all of us was the readiness to go into the neighborhood and sow the seed of the Gospel. With great joy and excitement we all immediately dispersed into the small colony knocking on homes and going into small stores, exemplifying Holy Writ’s declaration, “the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Curiously, when we followed our marching orders, not everyone who had originally traveled together, remained together. Fresh, new bonds of friendship and companionship were forged by this fortuitous opportunity. Watching everyone’s vigor in carrying out our commitment to the Great Commission, made me relate to the inspired psalmist as he expressed, “I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (Psalm 119:63). Having received the green light to begin plowing the land, I began walking with my sister, soon to be bride, and future sister-in-law, but a glimpse of movement on my left side, from the very top of the house behind the church building, caught my attention. When I turned to see what it was that my peripheral vision had perceived, on the roof of the house (I would later learn it was the fourth floor of the house) there was a woman with her young daughter waving their hands at us. It was interesting that when I saw this it brought to my memory the Macedonian man from the apostle Paul’s vision (cf. Acts 16:6-10). When I returned my gaze to inform those with whom I had traveled together about the waving ladies, somehow both my beloved fiance and sister had already disappeared with another group, leaving me behind. Only my dear friend (soon to be sister-in-law) Bethany and I had noticed the ladies waving at us, and thus together we began to walk toward the home. She and I began to formulate a plan as we approached the ladies, when we were both startled by a deep, timid voice that asked, “Do y’all mind if we join you? This is our first mission trip and we’re really nervous.” To be continued…