Jeff Reports in From Chile - Part I

Since our return to the States, my thoughts have gone back to Chile numerous times. I am reminded of lessons we learned during our visit there.

I saw first hand how we Americans don't need to depend on God. When we see a need, when we imagine how a ministry could be started and supported, we set out to develop a plan and recruit the needed resources. We have so much at our fingertips that we don't need to depend on God.

In practicing Church and ministry this way, we often don't see God at work the way other people do in other situations. We engineer results rather than trust God for them. Prayer seems optional. Ministry becomes about who you know and what they can do for you.

I thank God for the example of Renacer. I'm still not sure all the lessons we learned over those 3 days. I thank God also for the Wallace family and their commitment to serving the people of Chile. The work we call ministry should really be an extension of our faith in God and spirit among each other, not just a result of our own hard work and ability to make things happen. Jesus taught us to pray for workers. He taught us to serve with very little, trusting God for the results. I guess that since we have so much, our challenge is to find ways to not let all we have get in the way.
-Jeff