Luke 6: 38. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (NLT)“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing”. (MSG)
This was the verse that came to mind on our flight back to Minneapolis on Tuesday after our 2 week visit to Mexico to say hasta luego to our dear friends and ministry partners over our last 9 years of service in Oaxaca.
On the plane, as I looked out at the Sierra Madre below, I relived each encounter, each farewell: with our missionary colleagues, the MAEM (Ministering to the Abused and Exploited in Mexico) team, the women’s discipleship group, the Fuentes Libres team, our church, and other dear friends. As I remembered all the kind words, gifts of love and gratitude, poems written, songs dedicated, times at the table with delicious food, and the hugs, tears and laughter we shared, the tears flowed and my heart became full with all the love poured out upon us. “Yours was un ministerio de amor (ministry of love) among us”. “We love you all because you are family to us”. “You are always welcome as a sister here”. “You showed me a different type of gospel – one where we could smile, laugh, play and above all love in it all”. “We always felt your sincere affection for us”.
Thank you, friends, for your prayers for us! God was indeed pouring out his love among us! We feel so blessed and full of gratitude, knowing that this trip was not an adios but an hasta luego.