We lost a dear friend a couple of weeks ago - Steven Hibler was a guy with boundless energy and a heart for the kids. And he had a way of getting under my skin. So when he unexpectedly went to be with the Lord, I had some issues I had not settled with Steven. As so often happens, I didn't stop to think how much I really loved the guy until it was too late to share it with him. My bad. See you soon, Steven! We love what you did while you were here, and will pick up where you left off.
Debra and I went to eastern Tijuana last Sunday to help celebrate the founding of a new church. It was a real blessing - we met some new friends, and got to put the loving on some precious kids in a poor - poor - poor neighborhood. This church is a plant by another church nearby, in a somewhat more affluent, but still hurting, neighborhood. Heart warming to be able to help in our own small way - food we had earlier collected in the U.S. was being used for a pre-service dinner. Then back to work; one of my co-workers remarks something like 'why don't they just get off their lazy backsides and help themselves?' Of course, I want to shout at her and thereby persuade her that she would benefit so much by just putting aside her perceptions and reaching out to help - but I didn't. Probably the best thing is to smile and walk away. I'm happy that we had the experience of seeing 'them' getting off their backsides and planting a church.
We are often told by friends that they would like to help, but are afraid to cross the border because of the violence. There has been violence at the Texas/Mexico border, but no (that's right, NO) reports of violence or threats against missionairies in Baja. Meantime, 12/23/10 a man shot to death at the San Antonio de Padua church in L.A. while police watched, 12/20/10 a man found shot to death in a church parking lot in Visalia, 11/27/10 two shot leaving a church in Santa Ana, 11/16/10 a man shot to death on the steps of a church in Oakland. That's just SoCal, and just the past couple of months. I feel much safer among my hermanos y hermanas in Mexico than in many neighborhoods here. And there is plenty to be done on this side of the border - packing parties, raising awareness of the Hilarious Givers mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ by sharing our abundance. Donating. Making introductions. All necessary, and all without risk.
So, there is plenty of evil around us, and even within us. But there is hope. And love. All there for the asking - just have faith and reach out, and there it is.
God is good!
