This is a blog post from Dale Beyer, Ministerio de Esperanza’s Assistant Director. He has taken over much of the rural village ministry responsibilities and his blog is now the best way to stay connected to that work. You can follow it directly at: http://beyersnguate.blogspot.com/
----------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:29
.JPG)
The other day, when preparing to enjoy a relaxing Saturday, we received a call from Misael’s grandmother stating that he was very sick (fever, convulsions, vomiting black stuff etc…). She was asking if we could possibly take them to the doctor as she cried over the phone to Kathlyn. As Kathlyn relayed it to me I began thinking of the options and it went like this: #1-we have plans, #2-he will puke in my car, #3-I’m not a doctor, #4-excuses abounding. I began to pray for wisdom to know what to do next and during that prayer thought about the parable of the good Samaritan. I was immediately convicted that I wanted to pass by on the other side of the road and not help these people in need.
With such a direct answer to prayerKathlyn and I went to be a neighbor for this lady who carries such a heavy load. She recently shared that in one week she lost three close family members (one a son by a brutal murder) and how her husband some years back had tried to kill her and then had succeeded in killing himself leaving her all alone. She is caring for Misael because his mother, her daughter, abandoned them. That day we were able to help some with medicine and comfort, but we hope to help her in a more lasting way by helping her to know the peace of Christ that can carry her through. Now, several days later, Misael's condition has improved!
So this time I was the Good Samaritan.
.JPG)
But earlier in the week when we visited “O” (who has circulation sores on his hips and buttocks that you could put a golf ball into) and he asked for us to take him to the hospital because these sores are showing signs of getting infected again, Gerardo and I told him we could not. To justify myself some like the teacher of the law in Luke 10:29 did, let me tell some history. This man has shown himself to be a little too eager for a handout and not real kind to the health professionals who have helped him in the past. Considering these factors we deemed it best to put the responsibility on him to get a ride from family or friends.
Sometimes I feel so callused toward the needs of others because we see so many with such deep hurt, pain and suffering on a daily basis. Often I just walk by because I can’t help them all, and I feel so heartless. The men and women without arms or maybe legs who are begging in the streets we pass by every day. What can we do?
I recently was involved in a Bible study that made the statement that to love always requires an exchange or a cost even though it may be small. When we are willing to love someone else, especially those in need as Jesus told in the parable, it will cost us something. I think this helps us to see if we are really loving or self-serving in our actions toward God and others. Remember this whole parable was told in response to Jesus affirming the teacher of the law’s answer of “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”, in response to the question of “Teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
As we are involved in a helping ministry we have decisions to make every day of whom and how to help. There are many needs that arise daily that we determine often to help with and there is always an exchange. Many times that exchange is financially costly and other times just a cost of time, but there is always a price to pay. Please pray for us as we make these decisions of how to love our neighbors and what that will mean for the ministry.
If you would like to partner with us there are many needs posted on our website of people awaiting sponsorship. Click link below to access. Some have been waiting for months or even a year.
Village Ministry Needed Sponsorship
You might also feel led to give to the rural village ministry fund which covers the many expenses and emergencies that come almost daily and are not covered by the sponsor program.
Click for information on financial partnership
