2005 - Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Overview

Venezuela was an incredible opportunity for me.  After four other mission's trips, I thought I'd seen everything.  I was expecting this trip to be like every other trip I've been on, but God had other plans.  First of all, this trip was longer, two weeks and we had training in Miami prior to leaving for Venezuela.  The main purpose of this trip was not to do physical labor, but to share the gospel.  This was the first trip I'd taken with Real Impact Missions, and the experience was incredible.  Our group saw over 1,000 Venezuelans accept God's forgiveness, and more than 5,000 heard about Jesus' crucifixion for the first time.  While in Miami, we learned a play that depicted the crucifixion of Christ in a friendly way.  Upon arriving in Venezuela, we presented the play two or three times each day.  Upon arriving at the site, a few people would set up, while the others went out in teams of three to invite the Venezuelans to come to the drama.  Then we would return after about 10 to 15 minutes and do a short skit to gain some attention.  Then one person on the team shared their testimony followed by the drama.  After the drama, someone would explain the parallel from the drama to what Jesus did for us on earth.  Then the group would go out and talk one-on-one (or a few on one) to the Venezuelans and see if they want to come to Christ.

God Prepared Me

The trip was incredible, I felt as if God had prepared me for the trip, even before I went!  I spent the months leading up to the trip researching Venezuela; the culture, the people, the history, etc.  I wanted to know everything I could, that research helped me understand the Venezuelans.  My constant prayer for

Throughout high school, I always wanted to take German rather than Spanish, but something always happened so that I ended up taking four years of Spanish.  While on the trip, it was my turn to share my testimony, and when I stepped up, there were no translators around.  I ended up giving my testimony in Spanish and was able to better communicate with the Venezuelans because I spoke their language.

Poverty is Beautiful

The country of Venezuela is incredible poor; I saw so many poor people, people who owned so little.  The poverty of the nation made an interesting contrast to the beauty of God's creation.  While on the trip, I struggled with the question of why God would allow His people to live in such poverty.  It was like the landscape was a cruel juxtaposition with the poverty of the nation.  God cared so much about nature, but He couldn't care for His people.

Then God showed me something.  Poverty is beautiful.  Here in America, we think of poverty as something not to be desired, and while it isn't ideal, most of the people of Venezuela had enough to eat, a shelter over their heads, and not many more material possessions.  But they had something else.  Something I was missing.  It was proof that material possessions couldn't make you happy.  These people had nothing and were enjoying life, so many Americans have everything and still aren't content.  What did the happy Venezuelans have?  Jesus.  That is it.  That is what made them content with their few possessions.  They didn't know they were poor, they thought they were rich.

A Story of Generosity

We went to our second site and it was the poorest one yet.  The people's "houses" were tin sheds with a blanket, or possibly a mattress.  That's it.  Nothing but a small bed, and a shelter from the weather.  Yet the people were so generous.  Upon our arrival, the kids greeted us with letters that spelled out "Bienviendos" (welcome).  As we ate our lunch, the families cooked food for us.  We should have been sharing our wealth with them, but they gave us what was probably their suppers for their families.  They loved spending time with us.  It was incredibly humbling.  But what really touched my life was when a young boy, probably about 8 came up to me and handed me a very small coin (probably less than 25 American cents) but very likely more than his family made in a day.  He could have spent it on so many different things, but he handed it to me and said "I don't want this, I want you to use it to bring people to Christ."

That story reminds me of whoever gave Jesus the fish and loaves of bread.  It was all he had most likely his entire lunch, but he eagerly offered it to Jesus asked that it be used to bring glory to Him.  Jesus took that gift and multiplied it many times.  I pray that I will be as willing to give as that boy.

A Broken Heart

This is a little section from my journal:

Today (the last day of the trip) we went to three different sites, and at the last, God broke my heart. We were performing our final drama next to a school that was being guarded by the military of Venezuela. While inviting people, I had invited two men who happened to be standing near the gate. They both came, and the one left immediately after the performance, but the other stuck around a bit. I went up and stared to talk to him. While talking, Chris and Daniel (the translator) joined in and Chris explained the gospel very clearly with a few of my comments added. Chris gave the message extremely clearly, and it had be laid out so well in the drama that I didn’t know how anyone could be without doubt that that was the truth. He told us that he was Catholic, but he believed that all religions were OK, he could accept Jesus, accept other religions, and still go to heaven. Chris explained that Jesus is “el camino, la verdad, y la vida” (the way, the truth, and the life), but the Lieutenant still refused to accept Jesus. Eventually he just turned and walked away. It broke my heart that he could refuse God’s love after all he had done. I actually stared crying. It was so hard to walk away knowing that he may not ever receive Jesus' love.

Then I realized that what I felt was what God feels when we reject him. I also realized that if I had not met this man very last, I may have gone home believing that I had made such a huge difference when I truly merely made a dent. God has given me such a heart for Venezuela. I wish I did not have to leave, and God is defiantly calling me to come back. God has created me for this country, and I thank the Lord for that. I’ve made only a minor impression on Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela, South America, and most importantly, the world, for God. There are so many more people out there who need God’s LOVE and GRACE, and I could be the only Jesus some people ever see! I may be young, but God has and will defiantly use me. I now offer my life as a sacrifice for God. Others may find me crazy, and I am…crazy for God!

“Porque si estamos locos, es para Dios, y si somos cuerdos, es para vosotros.”
(Because if we are crazy it is for God, and if we are sane, it is for ourselves.)