The plan was to explore a few new agri-communities JJ had heard about from a friend. One was definitely a community established by the Pentecostals, with a church building that seemed to double as a community center, rivaling any structure in the valley in size. A large American flag flew outside the compound, and the sign read "saving the children." We stopped at the large house near the church, but learned the pastor did not live on site...probably a good thing, since as Lutherans we would likely not be welcome.
The next community was in sight, but a good distance from where we were. The dirt roads all begin to look the same at times, and you can drive towards something but end up at dead ends with great frequency. But this time we were well within range, in fact we could have walked to the back door of the closest house, but the road came to another dead end. We backed up and drove along the edge of a nearby farmers field, finding ourselves up to the wheel wells in loose silt and dust.
Minutes later we were on our bellies digging dirt out from under the rear chassis of the truck and looking for options to dig ourselves out. No shovel, no car jack, no four wheel drive...the options were slowly slipping away. Not so hot, the sun shone brightly and it was just windy and dusty, and after a few minutes of digging on our bellies, dust had found it's way into every inch of our being. As we sat on the bumper beginning to laugh at ourselves, the moment, and our condition, we were approached by a local farmer and his three dogs. An older man, he offered suggestions and even tried to help push us out, but he was a bit too frail, if not persistent.
Moments later, a second farmer drove by in a large pickup truck, and stopped to help. In broken english, not aware that JJ spoke rather fluent Mexican Spanish, he simply said "you wait here, I have tractor." Within minutes our new amigo was back with a tractor and a chain that was quickly secured to our bumper hitch. He had us out in a matter of seconds. We offered him 200 pesos for his help, which he insisted he would not accept, finally relenting to JJ's persistence.
I couldn't help but thinking after our experience, caked in dirt, while enjoying a taco at a local taqueria, if this would have happened in the states how might our experience have been different? We likley would not have been chassis deep in loose dirt to begin with, but that aside, would two separate farmers have come to our assistance? Would they have taken the time necessary to truly help us? Would they have had the time to run back and get their tractor, come back and pull us out at 11:00 AM in the morning? Would they have declined our offer for a reward? I'd like to think yes...but at the very least given the pace of our society, I wonder if anyone would have come along at all, and if so if they would have even had the time to help us in the manner that these men did.
It is another simple example of the consistent hospitality and grace I have experienced from the people of this region. Maybe even more importantly, another reminder that in our zeal as Americans to find the next front on which we will serve, we were humbly served by those with whom we minister on a daily basis. I continue to be blessed by the fact that despite the many complexities of doing ministry in this place that God continues to teach us in the simplest ways.
The next community was in sight, but a good distance from where we were. The dirt roads all begin to look the same at times, and you can drive towards something but end up at dead ends with great frequency. But this time we were well within range, in fact we could have walked to the back door of the closest house, but the road came to another dead end. We backed up and drove along the edge of a nearby farmers field, finding ourselves up to the wheel wells in loose silt and dust.
Minutes later we were on our bellies digging dirt out from under the rear chassis of the truck and looking for options to dig ourselves out. No shovel, no car jack, no four wheel drive...the options were slowly slipping away. Not so hot, the sun shone brightly and it was just windy and dusty, and after a few minutes of digging on our bellies, dust had found it's way into every inch of our being. As we sat on the bumper beginning to laugh at ourselves, the moment, and our condition, we were approached by a local farmer and his three dogs. An older man, he offered suggestions and even tried to help push us out, but he was a bit too frail, if not persistent.
Moments later, a second farmer drove by in a large pickup truck, and stopped to help. In broken english, not aware that JJ spoke rather fluent Mexican Spanish, he simply said "you wait here, I have tractor." Within minutes our new amigo was back with a tractor and a chain that was quickly secured to our bumper hitch. He had us out in a matter of seconds. We offered him 200 pesos for his help, which he insisted he would not accept, finally relenting to JJ's persistence.
I couldn't help but thinking after our experience, caked in dirt, while enjoying a taco at a local taqueria, if this would have happened in the states how might our experience have been different? We likley would not have been chassis deep in loose dirt to begin with, but that aside, would two separate farmers have come to our assistance? Would they have taken the time necessary to truly help us? Would they have had the time to run back and get their tractor, come back and pull us out at 11:00 AM in the morning? Would they have declined our offer for a reward? I'd like to think yes...but at the very least given the pace of our society, I wonder if anyone would have come along at all, and if so if they would have even had the time to help us in the manner that these men did.
It is another simple example of the consistent hospitality and grace I have experienced from the people of this region. Maybe even more importantly, another reminder that in our zeal as Americans to find the next front on which we will serve, we were humbly served by those with whom we minister on a daily basis. I continue to be blessed by the fact that despite the many complexities of doing ministry in this place that God continues to teach us in the simplest ways.
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