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When was the last time you did something for the first time?
I first saw the above words on the back of a t-shirt towards the end of our mission trip to Belize where our team was helping to build, among other things, the second story of a small church in a very poor community named Calcutta. That t-shirt made me begin to think about all of my first times of the last week.
My first time to go on a mission trip.
My first time to go to Central America.
My first time to teach school.
My first time to work on a job sight, tie re-bar, witness the construction of concrete stairs or attend a Spanish speaking church service.
We women chocked our vanity in the hot sun as we worked alongside the men, who toiled as I had never imagined they could – or would - hoisting buckets of rock and sand to mix concrete or digging ditches or laying block. My admiration for my co-workers is big. At the end of the day, covered with paint, dirt, and cement, we relished a cool Fanta and the blessings of a shower, a good dinner, and growing fellowship.
And although it was not my first time to experience the thrill of Christians helping others, who can tire of the wonderful feeling for both recipient and donor? Not only did we help one another with the sharing of snacks and ibuprophen or by bandaging a hurt or a daring river rescue, but the people of the community of Calcutta showed their gratitude whenever we met. They were grateful, encouraging, kind and helpful. One old man with no teeth showed up in the afternoon of each day and watched as we worked. He did not speak English, but on one day he saw that we were to fill a trench with rocks, and he began to help, tossing in one or two at a time. Another younger man, who worked in a nearby sugar cane field helped with the passing of concrete blocks from the ground to the roof of the church. When we had trouble with our van, strangers freely offered their help.
Women of the church cooked delicious meals that we began to anticipate with eagerness. Beautiful children appeared each afternoon after school, craving our attention, wanting only to play games and eat candy. Several of our group obliged them, creating bonds across generations and cultures. Friendships were born as we toiled and prayed alongside the local workers and heard their stories and dreams as well as those of the church members whom we had met. The Belizean pastor we were helping would pray mostly in Spanish and end with the words, "in the name of the Jesus!" and we would all chime in "Amen!"
These are just some of the things that made it quite difficult to say goodbye at the end of our time there. We took picture after picture of our Belizean friends, promised to pray for one another, shook hands and hugged. Driving away, a part of each of us wanted to stay and finish the job we had begun. But that will be for our successors – our youth next summer and next fall's adults.
Just before returning home, our team was rewarded with a day and night of fun in a rain forest resort. So, first time in a rain forest. And some of us had the excitement of ziplining through the trees and rappelling for the first time.
All of these first times have charged me up for the next time, so, Lord willing, these first times won't be the last.
~ Diana Alden |
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