Patience and Perseverance

There is a town here in Costa Rica called Sarchi. It pretty much sounds like it is spelled (Sar-chee). It is a neat little town. Here are three pictures of three pretty cool young people. These three missionary kids are depicting a big tradition here in Costa Rica. They are pretending to paint the wheels on a painted cart. Painted carts are a national symbol here in Costa Rica. It looks like it takes a long time to do. I was talking with a gentleman at this place the last time we were there. He is 77 years old, and he has been painting cart since he was 7. He introduced me to his son, grandson, and great-grandson. They were all there painting. He said from start to finish, it takes 7 days to paint one cart. So, you can imagine the work put into each cart. He also told me there is no pattern or stencil made to trace or paint with. It is all done by hand and imagination. What is really neat is that each side is an exact duplication of the other side. I don't know how they do it, but it is really impressive.

I imagine it takes a lot of patience and perseverance. I have been thinking a lot about these two fruits of the Spirit lately. The Spanish language is beautiful, but man is it hard to learn. There are so many words that are close to English, but they are pronounced different. Sometimes, they mean something totally different. It takes a lot of patience (which I am learning) and perseverance. I just keep on keeping on, and eventually, I will be able to speak this language well. That is my goal.

Ministry is another difficult, yet beautiful thing in life. If we call ourselves Christians, then we are also ministers of the Gospel. We represent Jesus Christ wherever we are, at all times, and to a world that desperately needs Jesus Christ. What a responsibility! Sometimes, we get tired, frustrated, or we just don't feel like ministering to people. We don't feel good, and we don't want to show people the true love of Jesus. Well, ministry, just like learning a language, requires patience and perseverance. As we learn to trust in God and to be patient with others and with our self, then we can minister more effectively. Also, if we just keep on keeping on, we can win people to Jesus Christ.

I received an email, yesterday, from a very dear friend here in Costa Rica. His name is Jose Antonio Perez. I have written about him before, but this email really touched my hear and gave me a great deal of encouragement. In the email he writes, in Spanish of course, about our friendship and how much I mean to him. He encourages us by telling us that God is going to give us many blessing in the work we are about to begin in Paraguay. He also told me that I am the friend he never has had here in Costa Rica. Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes I don't feel like I really do that much to deserve such kind words. I do know that this man is like a brother to me. He has helped me, encouraged me, blessed me, taught me, and shown me many things. I would not have had this friend without patience and perseverance. Patience to learn and understand what I know of the Spanish language. Patience in trying to speak it and communicate with Jose Antonio. Perseverance to keep trying even after I fail or mess up with trying to speak. Perseverance in going to their house and visiting even though it takes a long time to get there. Patience and perseverance in developing a friendship that I believe will last a lifetime.

Did this friendship happen overnight? No, just like it takes a long time to paint carts here in Costa Rica, it takes a long time to develop true friendships, especially when you are trying to communicate in another language. With God's amazing grace and help and with a lot of patience and perseverance, I have a new friend. I am really going to miss seeing him every week. Con mucha paciencia y con la ayuda de Dios, yo tengo un amigo nuevo. Él es mi hermano en Dios y yo voy a extrañarlo mucho.

Blessings to all,

Charley