Quito
What's the difference?
When you see someone, what do you see? Do you see the things you have in common? Or the differences? Here in Ecuador it is often easy for us to see those differences. The differences in skin color, hair, language, customs, foods, etc. Differences abound.
But the members of the team are challenging themselves to see the similarities. The similarities in our families, our friends, our children, our parents, OURSELVES. It isn't difficult to see the similarities when we open our eyes. I think about the parent who rode 4 hours by bus, one way, with her pre-schooler today. He has a rather serious orthopedic condition. She wanted to see our Dr. Fellers because she wanted to continue a relationship they'd built. Quite simply she wants the best for her child. That's a similarity many of us could see.
I also think of the way that we share a common grief when children suffer. We have seen children suffer at no fault of their own. This continues to break the teams's collective heart. And it spurs the team on to our work. Certainly we share this similarity in our own relationships.
Above all, we have our common love of God and His love for us. Though we may worship in different churches, different denominations, different languages--we share this common love of the One God and His love for us. This unites us beyond any external differences and breaks down barriers. Only God can break these walls with this much love. It is a joy to witness and to partake.
How about you? What did you see today? Differences? Similarities? May God open all of our eyes to the common love He has for us. Look around you today in your own context and the people you'll see. You'll be amazed at the similarities that God will show you.
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