February 13
Enough….
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)
We sat inside the 15-passenger van waiting for our chance to cross the U.S. border from Mexico. We fit snugly into the well-used vehicle, but the people in the back row were especially blessed ... they had the advantage of a small broken out window. For the last hour the air conditioner had been working overtime. In spite of its great effort, it failed in its mission to keep us cool. Fortunately, our mission had enjoyed greater success. We had labored long and hard and completed projects at a new church site as well as at the Semanario Bautista de Nogales. It had been a very good week.
Pastor Peoba was at the wheel, and he expertly guided our vehicle through one of four long, dusty lines of cars. His English was not bad and we enjoyed small talk as we waited our turn, but now, as we neared the border and our time grew short, the conversation got more serious.
My friend Scott was curious and so, he asked, “Peoba, would you rather live in the USA or in Mexico?”
Peoba looked straight ahead as he pulled us forward then without hesitation said, “Mexico.”
It wasn’t the answer Scot or I expected. “Why is that?”
I have seen too many people go there … and it changes them. They like things, more and more things. People are not as important. It is all about getting more things. What is the word?”
“Materialistic?”
“Yes, that’s it. They become materialistic. I am happy in Mexico with my family. My family is more important to me. I don’t want this for my children.”
I was amazed by Peoba’s wisdom, but I could see it.
I thought back to our week with the children of Nogales at Vacation Bible School and Sports Camp. These were, for the most part, wonderful children—unspoiled by too many toys and too little love. These children smiled constantly and took delight in playing and coloring and singing and … helping. Time after time, these beautiful children had offered to help cleanup or pick up or do any required task. They focused on others.
I remembered the night Pastor Senobillo told these kids—probably a hundred of them—that we were leaving, and they cried. They bawled, and we bawled too, and then, as the sun was setting, they came running across the broken down playground and kissed us and hugged us and wouldn’t let us go….
We sat in our van in silence and soaked up Peoba’s sobering truth. We were almost there. Number two in line now, and the van pulled slowly forward….
Within ten minutes, we crossed the border into our so-called Land of Plenty, but it was an empty moment. In my heart, I longed for Mexico.
Father, thank You for providing our every need. Thank You for Peoba and his gentle message. Help me to be satisfied … with You! Amen.
Enough….
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)
We sat inside the 15-passenger van waiting for our chance to cross the U.S. border from Mexico. We fit snugly into the well-used vehicle, but the people in the back row were especially blessed ... they had the advantage of a small broken out window. For the last hour the air conditioner had been working overtime. In spite of its great effort, it failed in its mission to keep us cool. Fortunately, our mission had enjoyed greater success. We had labored long and hard and completed projects at a new church site as well as at the Semanario Bautista de Nogales. It had been a very good week.
Pastor Peoba was at the wheel, and he expertly guided our vehicle through one of four long, dusty lines of cars. His English was not bad and we enjoyed small talk as we waited our turn, but now, as we neared the border and our time grew short, the conversation got more serious.
My friend Scott was curious and so, he asked, “Peoba, would you rather live in the USA or in Mexico?”
Peoba looked straight ahead as he pulled us forward then without hesitation said, “Mexico.”
It wasn’t the answer Scot or I expected. “Why is that?”
I have seen too many people go there … and it changes them. They like things, more and more things. People are not as important. It is all about getting more things. What is the word?”
“Materialistic?”
“Yes, that’s it. They become materialistic. I am happy in Mexico with my family. My family is more important to me. I don’t want this for my children.”
I was amazed by Peoba’s wisdom, but I could see it.
I thought back to our week with the children of Nogales at Vacation Bible School and Sports Camp. These were, for the most part, wonderful children—unspoiled by too many toys and too little love. These children smiled constantly and took delight in playing and coloring and singing and … helping. Time after time, these beautiful children had offered to help cleanup or pick up or do any required task. They focused on others.
I remembered the night Pastor Senobillo told these kids—probably a hundred of them—that we were leaving, and they cried. They bawled, and we bawled too, and then, as the sun was setting, they came running across the broken down playground and kissed us and hugged us and wouldn’t let us go….
We sat in our van in silence and soaked up Peoba’s sobering truth. We were almost there. Number two in line now, and the van pulled slowly forward….
Within ten minutes, we crossed the border into our so-called Land of Plenty, but it was an empty moment. In my heart, I longed for Mexico.
Father, thank You for providing our every need. Thank You for Peoba and his gentle message. Help me to be satisfied … with You! Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 11:37 AM
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