As we drove into Liberia after picking her up from the airport, she commented several times about the vegetation, the mango trees, and other scenery that reminded her of her home in Uganda. At one point she said with a big smile on her face, "This is so strange to see so much that is familiar to me. It makes me remember my home."
We asked her where she'd like to eat and offered a few of the popular places that are 'treats' for us when we go into the city like McDonald's, Pizza hut, Burger King. She laughed and said, "Oh no. I would just like some rice and beans please!" We laughed, died to our desire and plan for McDonald's (and air conditioning) and took her to a little soda (small diner) we are familiar with. There we all we able to order the typical 'casado' or lunch plate which consists of black beans, white rice, cabbage salad and your choice of meat. Our meat choices were two different types of chicken or breaded fish, which is kind of a special thing for it to be breaded. We all chose the fish. After her first few bites I asked her if she liked it and she said it was wonderful. I asked her what a typical meal in Uganda would be and she said, "This!" and pointed to her plate. She exclaimed the fish would be cooked differently, and with the bones still in it, but even down to the salad, everything was just about the same! We laughed at that and commented on how interesting that was. She asked for water to drink and I asked Matt if we should get her bottled, she laughed and said, "Maybe for the others that might be necessary, but for me, being from Uganda, it would just seem silly to drink bottled water! I think I will be fine!"
During the hour long car ride home, we talked about many things. I was was amazed at how normal it all felt- having just shared a meal with someone who lives halfway around the world, in a completely different culture, who has lived a life drastically different than mine, yet there in that small space, it all seemed so normal. We commented several times at God's goodness and grace and blessings in life.
Betty continued to comment on things about Costa Rica that she found similar to her home in Uganda. But, about halfway home, she laughed outloud and said, "One thing sure is different, you drive on the right side of the road here. That is very strange to me! In Uganda, we drive on the left side of the road." We all shared a good laugh after that observation.
It is an honor to welcome Betty to Costa Rica and to share the next three weeks with her. It is an honor to hear from her of God's majesty and work in Uganda. It is an honor to serve and live with young men and women from all over the USA who desire to give their lives to Jesus in service for his glory. It is an honor to serve Jesus in Costa Rica with Clavary Chapel, with Pastor Phil, with our PFK staff here, and to live and grow in Christ with a beautiful body of believers.
And the best part of all, is that we are all ordinary people. Meeting Betty and sharing with her and listening to her brings that point home. We have such different lives, yet our common bond is Christ. We all live ordinary lives in our perspective parts of the world. Yet we serve and extraordinary God. There is nothing special about our service, our lives, or even us. Yet, we have this treasure inside us that is more special than anything money can buy or this world can offer. That's Jesus Christ! We've devoted our lives to Him and our daily desire is to live in obedience to Him in order to bring glory to His name. Our obedience is no more important than the man who fights daily against his flesh and dies to His desire to pick up another drink; or the woman who commits her mouth, her words, and her thoughts daily to her LORD Jesus and pleads with Him to keep her tongue from evil and her lips from telling lies, as she fights the battle to refrain from gossipping. What about the faithful servant who honors the Lord by cleaning the church bathrooms, mopping the floors, cleaning the windows each Sunday morning before the church service starts. Or what about the widow who spends her days praying for the saints who faithfully serve Jesus- her church leaders, pastor, missionaries. She also prays diligently and fervently for those bound and held captive by the enemy. She wears down the carpet in the spot where her knees daily rest, she chooses prayer over idleness, and her God over the distractions of the world. Not one of these saints demonstrates obedience more important or more noteworthy than the other. Rather, it is Jesus shining through their obedience that radiates from them, making them shine like stars in the heavens.
We rejoice today to have Betty with us. We rejoice in JESUS because it by His blood we have been saved. Before we were born, He chose us and set us apart, He appointed us for His service. We've done nothing to deserve the life we lead. In fact, we've been rebellious, hard-hearted, and chosen our own way more times than we can count. Yet, He is rich in mercy, abounding in love, and full of grace. Praise be to God, our LORD, our Redeemer, our Savior and our King!!
May you be blessed today!
Betty with her rice and beans!
Welcome to Costa Rica, Betty!
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