From the moment I stepped off the plane in Asunción, Paraguay with the mission team from the Jacksonville Church of Christ, my world changed. The church in Paraguay welcomed our team with open arms and, despite the language barrier, their message was clear — we were loved and invited into their family.
The entire trip played out differently than I had imagined back in America. My unspoken, flawed mentality entering the trip was that I was an American with a lot to give to a country and church in need. Upon my arrival in the airport, however, my ivory tower was shattered and in my eyes the world was turned upside down.
The church in Asunción, Paraguay led by Francisco Bedoya and his wife Liz made it clear by their actions that their goal during our trip was to serve us more than we could hope to reciprocate. We were fed traditional Paraguayan meals. We were treated to concerts showcasing South American music. And we were shown hospitality that would give southern hospitality a bad name. The love and care that we received from the church was not centered on material possessions instead brotherly love. The love that Christ displayed in his lifetime is currently being represented in South America.
The culture in Paraguay would be considered counter-cultural to many Americans. It is well documented that if I were to enter a home in Paraguay and compliment a painting I would not leave that house without that very painting in my hand. Furthermore, the warm South American embrace of a kiss on each cheek cannot be overlooked in our country of often-cold embraces. The church I had the privilege to visit this summer displayed these cultural norms and raised my personal standards of love and compassion.
My experience in South America led me to numerous conclusions within my own life. The first conclusion I reached was a personal resolve to support foreign missions financially. The church in Asunción, Paraguay is the home to my extended family in Christ and I will never again experience difficulty putting a face to the money I give. The second conclusion is the importance of merely showing up. The few visits that Americans make to Paraguay encourage the church and are a great way to extend past the value of a dollar. The final conclusion I reached was that no matter what material possessions I own it is never an excuse not to put others above myself.
My mission trip to South America changed my life and my values. The Lord is working powerfully in Asunción and all over the world. The world is large and we have many brothers and sisters in different countries all serving one God in perfect unity. I am grateful to God for the opportunity.
