Recently I've begun to take an interest in how one family in particular has met the unique challenges of Shell head-on. This family arrived here in the summer time having just as many, if not more, disadvantages as the rest of us. They didn't have any language skills to speak of, they were lacking in funding, and they didn't have a large mission organization working in their corner. What they did have was the vision from the Lord to go into the Ecuadorian interior to share their love for people and for their Maker. So, boldly and confidently they came.
When they arrived, they were greeted by a house in need of some repair due to an unexpected leak, boxes of supplies needing reorganization and distribution to others, Spanish language spoken everywhere with no family member able to translate, need for transportation to purchase all the supplies they would require, spotty internet connections, and a much smaller missionary populace in Shell due to the summer travel and eventual movement of some to other Ecuadorian cities. This could have been enough to really stop them in their tracks or at least give them a less than positive disposition. Yet it did not.
When we came to Shell about six weeks after their arrival, they really should have been in the throws of culture shock--they should have completely moved out of the honeymoon stage and begun to find the hurdles greatly annoying and overwhelming. Oddly, they were no worse for the wear. Instead, they were enjoying their new adventure, getting the most out of their experiences, and finding each challenge to be something to be expected. In fact, they weren't surprised at their troubles nor did they complain about them. They met them head on and sorted them out.
Almost immediately after our arrival this family invited us over to dinner. We couldn't believe it. They had just met us and yet wished to spend time getting to know us already. What generosity! When we joined them for dinner they were so disarming and easy to chat with. No pretense. What you see is what you get. Our kids loved the massive quantities of food, the spice that accompanied it, and the kid-friendly movie they showed for their entertainment. Even though their kids who are older than ours (their son is two years older than our oldest son, and their daughters are four years older than our daughter) could have shrugged off the visit or interests of our four, they welcomed them in warmly and brought out things that our kiddos would enjoy. Super.
Not only that, this family has volunteered their expertise in martial arts for the community of missionaries. They have shared their skills in PE class at school and have held early evening classes for those who either wish more instruction or are not part of the PE class. They are there to serve us and teach us AND they're there to share with the local Ecuadorian people.
The thing though that really stood out to me was the fact that when one of their daughters celebrated her birthday recently, they sent out a community-wide email inviting all missionary kids in the community--boys and girls, little kids and big, parents, anyone. No one would be excluded. Wow.
Now as one who has been subject to many of these same struggles, and who has had to decide how to maneuver through the challenges, I am so sad to report that I have found myself too often in one of two positions: I've either been too concerned about how things here are done and so I've not done anything, or, I've complained about how things are done and have been in a crummy mood over it. Neither of these is exactly Christ-like nor loving toward others.
You know, it's one thing to be frustrated by things and know that you're up against some challenges, it's another to go with the flow and to do things the 'right way' anyway. I could be fairly okay with how I've interpreted and lived this missionary experience until I witnessed someone who truly came in with the love of Christ and kept their eyes focused on the goal and not on their own issues or troubles. Now I'm confronted with the reality of my less-than-Christ-like response to things.
I love this lesson though. It reminds me that my standard is NOT other people or even other missionaries. It is Christ Himself. I have to do what He would do and not worry about what others would do or even how they would respond. He only cared about the goal, the prize, the reason He came. He only cared to do the 'right thing' and rarely did He ever speak out of frustration. He's the standard.
So much to learn....
So little time.....
Thanks for reading.
Blessings, kim
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