By: Obed Pineda
“‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:36-37)
There is no doubt that when a person is going to an unknown place, the plethora of unanswered questions tend to unsettle a person’s nerves a bit. It becomes a task to keep them from tainting one’s self-confidence of being capable of triumphantly carrying out an assigned mission. Indeed, this was my experience as it was already a strenuous challenge of preventing my fears from betraying me into backing out of my commitment to embark on this journey to Peru, but little did I know that everything that transpired in the weeks leading up to my flight date would significantly increase the testing of my sister’s and my faith. The months of May, June, and July were truly filled with literal life altering events that had her and me questioning if now was the appropriate time to leave the country (and our ailing family) behind for ten days? The queries that pressed very heavily on our hearts were “Is it wise for us to join this mission trip at this moment, with everything going on in our lives? Will we have the emotional, mental, and spiritual strength to be capable of focusing on the very important work at hand? Could it be that now is not the right time for us to attend this campaign, and insisting on going will only hurt the cause for Christ?” The tumultuous period my precious sister and I experienced (truthfully, our entire family did) during those months admittedly left us physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Yet, the glorious value of the Bible once more pierced through the shadows of doubt lurking in our minds as we remembered, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…therefore WEDONOTLOSEHEART. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2nd Corinthians 4:8-9, 16, emphasis OP). It was not the guidance of Holy Writ alone that motivated us to press onward with our proposed plan, but the precious and outstanding outpouring of support, comfort, and encouragement we received from the holy elect of Christ, our beloved brethren (which we are blessed to say, includes our biological family) as well. The shackles of guilt and woe that menaced to keep us from fulfilling our duty to our Lord and His Kingdom, were undone by the love and exhortation of strong, sapient, and spiritual Christians who wept with us, but reminded us that soon they, too, would rejoice with us upon our return from this glorious work (cf. Romans 12:15). I am not ashamed to admit to you, dear reader, that as I recall the numerous times (like this one) the Lord’s Church mercifully lifted me up from the ground, and urged me to not give up, but instead to continue to press toward the upward prize, tears of gratitude douse my face, and humble me before Almighty God. It is upright to confide that even though we rose to the occasion (being upheld by the loving arms of our spiritual family) there lingered still a sense of guilt because we were leaving at a time when sadness was still very raw. Still, God being infinitely wise and merciful, would soon heal us from that guilt with the spirit of Gaius that dwells in Arequipa. If Job is the personification of patience, then it is just as true to declare that Gaius is the personification of hospitality. The inspired John proclaimed about this godly man, “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the Church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth” (3rd John 5-8). Gaius had no need of asking, “Who is my neighbor?” as the wicked lawyer did to the Master (Luke 10:29). He understood that the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrated how the two greatest commandments are obeyed when one is given over to hospitality, especially toward those of the faith (cf. Galatians 5:14, 1st Peter 4:8-9). To practice hospitality means to share with others willingly of that which is perhaps held as most dear by most human beings: our personal space we call home. Granting entrance into our private and personal space is undeniably not an easy thing to do, considering it entails sharing that “sacred ground” that belongs to us with others temporarily. It behooves us to beware of not condensing hospitality to the sole act of providing lodging to a guest. Yes it is one small part of hospitality, but not the sum of this excellent act of benevolence. Observe how John reveals that Gaius not only opened his home to those who were in need of it, but he also provided for all of their needs allowing them the blessing of “taking nothing from the Gentiles” (3rd John 7b). Gaius provided the brethren with shelter, food, drink, clothing, money, and anything else that would help them further the sowing of the seed of the Gospel. Through Gaius’ example, we are taught that there are a vast number of ways we can expand the net of the Gospel outside of being the ones who verbally share the glad tidings of salvation. It was this generous and spiritual attitude that my companions and I who volunteered to go on this mission trip encountered from the moment we walked through the doors leading outside of the airport. Members of the Church from Arequipa, Peru rejoiced when they saw us arrive, as they had been patiently and excitedly waiting for us longer than anticipated because our flight had been unexpectedly delayed. The sincerity of their gladness and thanksgiving, was displayed by the messages written both in English and in Spanish on the signs they made, holding them in their hands as we crossed through the doors. The ember of guilt that remained in our conscience was quenched by the refreshing and comforting welcome that exuded from our brothers and sisters in Arequipa. Their homes, food, water, and resources were all readily available for us so that together, as one, we would work in the vineyard of our Lord. Verily, they faithfully obeyed the apostle’s commandment to “be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1st Peter 4:9). The mindset of Gaius and the spirit of the Church in Thessalonica was undoubtedly present among the body of believers in Arequipa, Peru (cf. 1st Thessalonians 4:9-10). There is no question that their resources were very limited, yet what little they had it was never denied to any one of us who arrived from the States. They willingly divided this with us because “they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2nd Corinthians 8:5). In that moment, I was able to comprehend the influential power of godly desire. To be continued…