As I think about Belize, there is one thing of which I am certain ~ I took more from that experience than I gave. Not that I didn't want to give and believe that I did give as much as I was capable of doing, but rather there were lessons for me to learn that would far overshadow anything I did for Jesus. The most influential lesson I learned was actually the most simple... keep my eyes on Jesus. This lesson came from watching one woman affect a community in a quiet, unassuming way.
To meet Noemi, you wouldn't classify her as someone who is assertive or overwhelming. She is the wife of Artemio, the pastor of our sister church in Copper Bank. She is quiet, almost to the point that she is difficult to hear...but oh the influence this woman carried for Jesus! I had the joy of getting to spend a little 1-1 time with her as we were preparing a meal one day. We were visiting about her sons. These two young men are impressive. They love Jesus, serve him in very different ways, are fun to be around, and have a great work ethic. I was commenting to Noemi about her boys and she shared a story about telling them one time how it hurt her heart to have to discipline them, but she was far more concerned with being obedient to the Lord and being responsible for following His word when it came to rearing children. She then shared that one of the boys had come home from school and thanked her for the discipline because he saw how others acted and was glad he knew better. What a sweet smile covered her face in recounting that blessing!
When Artemio gave our team his testimony, the most fascinating part for me was when he spoke of his relationship with Noemi and how influential she was, and is, in his continued walk with Jesus. I saw this daily when she was working diligently behind the scenes, but always being the anchor where those three Cal men gravitated back to for advice and encouragement. I loved when Artemio shared that there came a point in their relationship that Noemi, who had grown up in a Christian home, relinquished the reigns of spiritual leadership and handed them over to him. Whew, what guts and selflessness that took... but then I realized she had her vision and focus in the right place, off of a man and onto THE MAN. She was banking on what she knew to be true ~ the Word of God. She knew that God has an order and that if she was to please Him, she needed to follow. I can say that this woman impacted me profoundly and probably isn't even aware of it, but I'm praying that the Lord blesses her mightily for her faithfulness. I know my life will never be the same because of her.
As I wonder if I can ever be as faithful as Noemi, the Lord gave me the best birthday present yesterday that I have ever had. It came in the form of a prayer that my dad gave before the meal. He thanked God for me, but the coolest part was when he said that he is thankful that I put the Lord before anything in my life. Never have words impacted me like those did. I so want to be that faithful woman and maybe I am moving in the right direction if someone close to me, who knows my warts, quirks, and often not so great attitude acknowledges that I do want to put Jesus first!
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