Lately, I have been trying to walk through the city streets with my head raised. Instead of keeping my gaze only on what is immediately ahead, I pause and notice what surrounds me. Looking up has allowed me to see beautiful things, as well as things that are difficult to see.
This small change has been positive for me. It invites me to slow down, walk, pause, and observe my surroundings. But there are also moments when I forget and walk, as the saying goes, “like a coachman,” focused only on the road directly in front of me.
Every change takes time before it becomes part of us. The same is true of the way we participate in God’s mission. In Latin America, I see the Church learning to raise its gaze.
Little by little, we are recognizing ourselves as part of a much greater mission. I really like the verse that says, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
This verse reminds me that God’s Spirit is already moving in places we may not expect. Everyone who has the Spirit of God, anywhere in the world, is equipped to participate in God’s mission. When we begin to believe that we can contribute beyond our own borders, it is like walking with our eyes raised.
I believe this change is especially important in Latin America. For decades and decades, many of us have carried the mentality that what comes from abroad is better, and that people who come from abroad have greater capacities and skills. Much of this comes from the long shadow of colonialism. Its consequences were not only political, economic, and cultural; it also left a deep wound in how many communities learned to see themselves.
The church was also impacted by that mentality of inferiority. But thank God, over the years, this has been changing. I think we now see ourselves with the understanding that, because we are equipped by God, we can contribute much more than we sometimes imagine.
I saw this clearly in a recent conversation with the Baptist Association of El Salvador (ABES). I mentioned that CBM was launching the Venezuela earthquake relief appeal and could help direct funds to the response. Before I could say much more, I learned that our partner had already contacted the Baptist Convention of Venezuela to make an offering in support of people seriously affected by the earthquakes.
As soon as the earthquake happened, the leadership of ABES began a campaign to raise offerings through all its churches in order to reach the affected population in a time of crisis. It was a great demonstration of love and empathy.
Their support began with prayer, which continues, and moved quickly into action. It was word and deed held together. Their response to Venezuela did not come from nowhere. ABES has long been characterized by service to the community. For the last few years, they have been implementing projects in agroecology, poultry farming, and chocolate making. With a heart of service, they reach communities by providing tools so participating families can generate more income and improve their family economy.
Their mission has been rooted locally, but their compassion is not limited locally. In the way they serve their own communities and in the way they responded to Venezuela, ABES reminds us that Latin America is not only receiving mission.
It is also praying, giving, responding, and raising its gaze beyond its own borders. It is a blessing to walk alongside ABES, to learn from them, and together to seek God’s shalom in the communities. As they raise their gaze beyond their own borders, they are helping us raise ours too.
Their mission has been rooted locally, but their compassion is not limited locally. In the way they serve their own communities and in the way they responded to Venezuela, ABES reminds us that Latin America is not only receiving mission.”
