Uphill in Chiapas

“If I don’t come back, just know I’m with the Lord.”  That’s what our team leader said.  Rain had made our road muddy.  Our vehicles could not carry the 30 of us, plus our equipment, to the top of the hill.  Our wheels sank in the mud, and in the vast darkness we could not determine a route to walk.  Only one path seemed open, and a somber tone hovered throughout.  Our leader declared he would seek help alone, directing us to follow orders of his second in command.  Danger was imminent, as this was Zapatista territory, and we had met opposition already.  One man that morning was not happy about our request to cross his land in order to visit our small church, though he did eventually grant us permission.  Now our medical clinic had finished for the day.  We had folded up the tarps and tables and cots and our makeshift dental chair from Home Depot.  We had repacked our many tubs of medicine and supplies for doctoring.  The concrete slab of the church building would provide dry ground for our wait.  We prayed for our leader’s safekeeping, and streams of tears ran down my face to realize the seriousness of it all.  For those who chose to sing, their lyrics now offered a deeper hope that filled the room possibly serving as our sleeping quarters till daylight.  We could recount our days together:  puppet shows that entertained all ages, preaching that compelled many, and clinics that drew people to walk for hours to find medical care.  To my amazement, I felt no fear that night.  I wondered if in the United States we would be as compassionate as the church hosts who sweetly stayed beside us those late hours.  Our leader did return, and with immense thankfulness we realized the Lord’s great power to protect.  With some big flashlights now, we unloaded the medical supplies we had just finished packing and walked them piece by piece up the hill in order to reduce the carrying weight of our vehicles.  Back and forth we traipsed, and the Lord did give our empty vehicles passageway to the top, despite the mud.  In a few hours, we were asleep in the city, unconcerned till the next day that our stomachs were starting to growl for food.  I loved the Lord for His wonderful care of us, and I had caught a glimpse of Him at work in Mexico.