As many of you are aware, I went on a mission trip to Medellin, Colombia for 12 days in January. The trip was an experience of God’s provision. Brennan Manning, in his book A Ruthless Trust, says it well, “Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father’s active goodness and unrestricted love.” I believe American Christians often overlook or do not recognize God’s “active goodness.”

There were many instances throughout the trip to Colombia that the team could not ignore God’s provision. We began our trip with too much luggage, exceeding our limit by two bags, each subject to an additional $200 charge. We also had five bags that were “overweight” and subject to a $100 charge each. We had unknowingly incurred an additional expense of $900 before we even got off the ground! But, by God’s grace, the airline did not charge us for these overages. Funds that were originally allocated for this expense definitely found use elsewhere. Near the end of the trip, we donated our remaining funds—approximately 2.0 million pesos—to El Hermano, the church in Medellin. Fabiola, the pastor’s wife, started crying when we gave her the money and showed us a bill for 1.8 million pesos that was due the next day. She had no idea how the church would find the money to pay it. What a marvelous testimony to God’s “active goodness.” God’s provision also came in non-tangible ways. As Americans, we are very information-oriented, whereas Latin cultures tend to be relation-oriented.

This proved true as we jumped right into the kids’ programs. Chaos seemed to take over, yet the team handled it well. Songs were sung, Bible stories were told, and crafts were completed much to the joy of the children. Sometimes when it seemed like no one knew what was going on, I would look at the children and realize that they just wanted to be looked at, touched, and loved. Sometimes they would call out our names just to get us to look at them. At times when we “Type-A Personalities” would normally fall apart, God provided peace and direction.

One aspect of the trip that made a deep impact on my life is the realization that I don’t really know what it means to be a servant of God. Many of us are willing to undertake something that we know we can do. We are willing to help if it doesn’t mean any kind of sacrifice on our part.

The example I saw in the Colombian Christians was truly humbling. Not only did they open their home to us, our host family also gave up their comfort for ours. Javier and Maria each shared a twin bed with their children so that we could have their bed. Even though they spoke no English and we spoke little Spanish, they would start conversations to make us feel welcome. At the church, Marta, Anita and others always made sure we had enough to eat. Leftover food was then divided among the other people working at the church. The food that was left after that was then sent home with the workers for their families or passed out to people on the street. How can it be that we went to Colombia to serve them, yet in the end, we were the ones who were so blessed by their willingness to serve?

During one of the church services in Copa Cobana, I stepped outside to read my Bible and reflect on a few things. During this time, the pastor’s son, Daniel, came to me because he felt led to pray for me. There are no words to express the experience of having an eight-year-old lay hands on you and pray for you. He was so passionate, that he was crying. Later during the service, Daniel asked if I could go to the room where the children were having church. All of the children also wanted to lay hands on me and pray for me. As I was on my knees with little hands on my body, I was overcome with emotion. I have never known children who have believed so strongly in the power of prayer.

Another expression of God’s “active goodness” happened during the church service on the last Sunday. It occurred during our debriefing time so there were only a handful of people present. At the end of the sermon, Pastor Luis took a basin and began washing our feet. I am reminded of the Apostle Peter’s response when he first realized what Jesus was doing just before the Passover Feast: “‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’…‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’ (John 13:6,8b-9)” I felt so unworthy having my feet washed, yet Pastor Luis and his wife were modeling what Christ would have us all do. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:14-15)” Washing someone’s feet requires sacrificing one’s dignity, pride, and comfort. Is this something that I am willing to do? It is a question I need to ask myself daily. Am I, like the Colombians we worked with, willing to sacrifice my comfort and desires to serve Jesus by serving others?

I want to thank all of you for making this trip possible through your support and prayers.