Missions

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“The biopsy results came back ‘suspiciously benign’”, my doctor stated matter-of-factly.

“What does that mean?”

“It means we can’t rule out cancer.”

For the last three weeks, there had hardly been a moment that I wasn’t thinking about my last doctor’s consultation. Now it was just another reason to doubt, one more reason to be afraid.

Ever since Pastor Tim announced that New Hope Church was going to take the Gospel outside our “Jerusalem”, I knew I had to be a part of it. We would be going to Juarez, Mexico to build houses with a group called Casas Por Christos.

I had been praying for an opportunity to step out in faith and serve my Lord. Colleen, my wife, and I had discussed it that very morning. Once again, our God had hit my heart with a lightening bolt. But in that moment of embracing the One that is in me, I forgot about the one that is in the world. While I was worshipping my God to the beat of the New Hope Band, Satan was gearing up his orchestra for a waltz with me.

The scent of Mexican laurel mixed with cilantro momentarily defended my sense of smell from the stench of rotting garbage. In the middle of a street lined with houses made of cardboard and pallets, my fear gave way to pride. I was here to share the wealth of God. The devil was dancing the rumba now.

My kidneys were not working optimally our first day out. In 100+ degrees, dehydration was just a matter of time. I understood something was wrong when I could not see anything but white shapes. The devil danced the cha-cha.

Meagan Richards, our nurse on the trip ordered me to sit in the shade. As I sat in the cool and slowly recouped, the devil took five to rest his feet.

Color returned to the shapes around me. My fear turned to attention. In amongst the discarded tires and broken bottles, I saw children playing. Above the roar of tractors moving trash, I heard laughter. I could smell tortillas and carne asada.

A young boy, who was playing in the street, squatted and stared curiously.

“¿Usted conoce a Jesús?” “Do you know Jesus”, is what I hoped I asked.

“¿Sí, usted?”, he responded. My mind exploded with comprehension, “Yes, do you?”

Satan started packing up the instruments. In that moment, God had quieted the noise of my fear and pride. He allowed me to hear His whisper. “Find contentment with what I have given, for it is sufficient for My plan”.

Since returning from Juarez, God has healed me. The tumors are benign. My prideful soul has been replaced with a servant’s heart. God, did not send me to Juarez to serve, He sent me there to learn how to.

(c) Copyright 2004 Terry Higginbotham All Rights Reserved

Terry Higginbotham is a follower of Christ. He utilizes the gifts God has given him by running the OuachitaGroup. The OuachitaGroup is a multi-faceted communications company focusing on web content, ad copy, and short stories. You may contact Mr. Higginbotham by email: at [email protected]

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