2008-12-23   Wed 5am Guatemala City

“As members of the body of Christ, our life is a sacrament. As we are broken in God’s hands, His life flows through us to others.” Oswald Chambers

“Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect” 1 Pet. 3:15

It’s a 12 hour bus ride from Guatemala City to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with a two hour lay over for lunch in San Salvador. I felt happy and comfortable in my jeans, palm stamped shirt and Gator cap—perhaps not the typical look of a 60 year old missionary pastor in Latin America. I enjoyed chatting with the young man next to me about Jesus. His heart was open.

After lunch, in the waiting room, I continued reading Rodney Clapp’s, “A Peculiar People,” an interesting study of the Church as counter culture. A young lady sat down beside me carrying a big white teddy bear. I smiled and said, “That’s a cute teddy bear” (in Spanish of course). She asked me where I was headed and I replied, “Tegucigalpa,” and continued my reading.

When it came time to board the bus, I was met by the asst. manager who told me I wouldn’t be allowed to get on. At first I thought he was joking or that they’d oversold the seats and needed to bump somebody off.

Then he explained that I had made a comment to someone in the waiting room that I was carrying a bomb. The police had already arrived and were standing behind me. As the seriousness of the accusation began to sink in I could feel my heart rate increase, remembering how ugly life is in the Latin American prisons I’ve visited over the years.

The great thing about daily prayer and communion with God in His word is that you’re always aware that He’s in control. I began to draw from His well and seek His purpose. I showed the man my ordination card and explained the purpose of my trip each year to meet with the Latin American directors of INSTE.

I was lead into a small room where four policemen searched through my things, squeezing the toothpaste and shaving cream, and asking me questions. I was pleasantly surprised with their calmness. When they didn’t find anything unusual, I commented on the good job of security they provide and that I was grateful they had not been rough with me either physically or with their words. I knew the Lord was touching them.

I would reach my destination half a day late and have to pay for my hotel room in the bus terminal. But the inconvenience was a small price for the joyous presence of Jesus with me that night, and it was a great story for us to laugh about at the meeting.

Your prayers are a constant strength to us. (Helen travels to Quito, Ecuador on Jan. 9th for the birth of our 2nd grandson to Cristina and Stephen Meier, who are serving in the Alliance Christian Academy, where Cristina graduated from High School. Stephen is the High School principal.)

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with family!!