It could be ANYTOWN, CHIAPAS!
We made a wonderful trip to Colonia Virginia today for a planning session for a work group to come in April of this year. The group is from northern Michigan and is sponsored by Jim and Sharon Heneveld, our friends and partner missionaries.
A LOT of planning and cooperation goes into the arrival and successful experience of any mission group. This village pursued Pastor Jim to consider their community for a work group to enhance their small Presbyterian church.
The community sits at about 5,000 feet of elevation. The church sits at the top of the ridge. The vista is expansive and breathtaking. Walking around the area, and arriving by truck was a bit less enchanting! It has been raining. Tho the day was just cloudy and quite cool, the road was almost impassable. 2 vehicles with pastor and brothers met us at the Cut off from the main road. The next hour was straight up and around, jostling, jerking, and skidding in the slick clay of the untreated road. Even gravel doesn’t arrive here.
But here we are! The whole congregation out on the hill in a line to greet us! Each of us, greets each of them. Wocalawal, Buenos Días, Paz de Cristo!
We sat in the shelter overhanging the edge, and tho the sun came out, a cold wind blew. Pastor Pablo and Jim outlined the conditions: enough bathrooms (bucket flush), a bucket shower (to be built), wood beds for 20 people, an adequate kitchen with stove, refrigerator and water available for filtering. A commitment to have supplies in place and a plan for local, church, and group participants to work side by side. A commitment to support the clinic in exchange. This is a new way to encourage congregations to support the clinic, financially and heart-fully.
Sebastian read the formal articles of agreement and signatures, so Mexican, were placed. Applause, hugs, and a tour followed. As well as the traditional lunch, a caldo with a piece of chicken, potato, and chayote in it. Hand made tortillas and shy smiles from the ladies who cooked.
A beautiful day in the neighborhood! God is surely in this place.
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