I recently received a letter from Becky Harrell, the missionary we help support in Iquique, Chile. It served as a lovely devotional reading for me, and I wanted to share it with you.
Peace, Laura
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¿Qué tal?
Have you ever been asked to do a chore that you agreed to, volunteered for, yet suddenly regretted having done so? The Board of our local church decided that in-between the time of hiring a new person to handle the “aseo” or cleaning of the church building, we as church officials would alternate in pairs and take on this duty. Without knowing why, my mouth opened and yes, I volunteer.
The Saturday before Easter was our designated day of cleaning so just before midday I toted in my bag of supplies and mop and began organizing where I would begin first. My coworker had something come up and couldn’t make it, so my regret in volunteering seemed to double. Here I would be, most of the day, cleaning. I began in the kitchen, the place where most of our boards meet because as good Methodists we have learned the value of sharing bread with one another (smile)…and it is the place where the children of CEREIMI gather for lunch each and every day. My head was filled with thoughts of what time I needed to be finished so that I could go home, clean up, return to the church to pick up all the kiddos from Sunday School that would be participating in the Saturday night vigil at Juan Wesley church and giving their presentation of “Panes y Peces", etc, etc, etc.
Scrubbing the sink, organizing the cabinet tops, clearing off the tables…I began to think of all of the nearly 40 children who run into the churches front door, drop their backpack and head straight to the bathroom to wash up before lunch each day (another smile). Folding a tablecloth reminded me of all the guys who meet each Sunday morning for the Methodist Men’s group and the prayers that have passed over the top of this cloth. Wiping down each of the chairs I remembered the women of the Methodist Women’s group who bring homemade treats each Monday afternoon to share with their tea as they make plans for community assistance.
Before I knew it the kitchen was done and I had moved into the main sanctuary, passing my cleaning cloth over the pulpit, remembering Pastor Rojas and all of our Laity who have given God’s Word to us…passing over the altar and feeling the overwhelming Presence of our Lord as each movement was in His Honor. Mopping up the tile floor on the altar and recalling the little feet that had trodden this area as they presented their Sunday School lesson to us all.
The pews were an honor to dust and clean, as we have all been guilty of returning to that same pew each week and I knew who sat where…sometimes I think it is because our first time in that place is where we met the Lord and we feel drawn to return there. At the back of the Sanctuary I turned and saw a shining that reflected the cleaning that had just taken place…it was beautiful. The trip upstairs to the classrooms did the same for me…especially when I picked up gum or candy wrappers (bigger smile).
What had I dreaded? It became another worship experience that I never expected, and I was blessed beyond words. When was the last time you had such an experience? How much there is to do in this world for our congregations, our brothers and sisters, and those in this world we have not even yet come to know. Don’t let the dread of what you have never experienced keep you from coming into a deeper relationship with our Lord. Do it, say yes to Him, no matter what has been presented to you…say yes to Love. There will be no regrets (overwhelming smile).
Con mucho cariño,
Becky
Becky Harrell,
MissionaryGeneral Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church
Missionary Advance Code #15141Z
The EMANA Project, Advance #14791T
www.emana.org and www.7villages.com/chilemissionumc
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