Be blessed twice

“… I made plans at first to visit you, in order that you might be blessed twice” 2 Corinthians 1:15b (Today’s English Version)


Paysandú, October, 2007.- These words were written by the apostle Paul, while he decided to twice visit the Christian community of the Corinthians. This visit would be before and after his trip to the community of Macedonia.

Paul had the opportunity of sharing not only once with the community, but twice. This gave this church the experience of being blessed twice.

This experience of faith reminds us of our experience as a community of faith. We still remember the volunteer in mission team from Pennsylvania. These fourteen brothers and sisters in Christ, who shared part of their time, funding and love, are still in our hearts and minds.

They challenged us to continue the way… a way of faith in Christ to fulfill the different steps of the Renacer Methodist Camp project.

Later on, in less than three weeks, we were welcomed a second team of volunteers. They came from the State of Maryland. Thirteen volunteers, who shared twelve beautiful days with us.

How were we blessed? As the apostle Paul says in 1st Corinthians 13: 13 when he spoke about the three virtues, we could say that God blessed to us in three great ways:

FAITH: weather was one of our worries during the VIM team period. Rain was foretold during the period of work. The rain came but during the night. This allowed us to work during the day and to have beautiful days during the week. There it was, our faith, putting the weather in God’s hands, declaring our request to God every day. Especially when singing the song that says: “It is a happy day, thank you God for the weather…”

HOPE: Our Camp Center Project continues to progress and grow. We, the local church were not alone. There were Bob, Suzanne, Patricia, Marti, Luis, Ken, Chuck, Clara, Meredith, Susan, Marilyn, Dae Hwa and Vern, helping us and contributing with their work, giving us hope to continue.

LOVE: Believe it or not, but 81 year-old Marilyn Jane Simmonds was there, raising buckets of concrete, using the shovel to complete the necessary mixture with sand and pebble. She was always working; she was always looking for something to do. She was always with a smile and helping others. She represented the love of God with us.

We were really blessed twice, based on Faith, Hope and Love of God towards us.

Walking by faith

Paysandú, September 28, 2007.- Rev. Robert Cook, from the Waynesboro UMC PA., began his sermon reading this poem written by the Spanish writer Antonio Machado on Sunday September 23, 2007.

He led a group of 14 members who participated in the first VIM team experience in the Renacer Methodist Camp Project in Paysandú.

He said in part of his sermon: ‘We have come to you from the northeastern part of the U.S. It is a journey of over 10,000 kilometers. We felt God calling us to come alongside of you, our sisters and brothers in Paysandú. Our churches and our Bishop have honored our step in faith by helping us in this trip. Pastor Miguel has shared a vision for Camp Renacer that we believe is from the Spirit. So, we very are glad to be here. We have come to share our faith to encourage you and to receive encouragement from your faith, too.”

We really felt the Spirit of God. The Spirit was flowing in the work field every day. The Spirit was flowing during the work time, during meals, during the time of fellowship and gathering. The Spirit of God was there, everywhere and every time.

“Today, God calls you and us together to take that step in faith where there is no clear path. Together let us have confidence in the Spirit’s leading. Together, let us take the next step of discipleship to follow Him and to trust Him. And let us go forth in great joy because the Spirit leads us where we must make the path by walking it. We are here with you as your brothers and sisters in Christ and we are ready to take that next faithful step with you!”

God has showed us, one more time, that He doesn’t leave us walking the road by ourselves. He leads us, and goes with us through the way... walking by faith.

Quilting of love

Paysandú, August, 2007.- Ubuntu: An African word (and proverb) meaning "I am human because you are human. Ubuntu psychology says, "Sharing ourselves and our gifts with others optimizes our collective and individual humanity. Even in the sharing and the giving, the individual or "other" group receives the gifts and the glories of humanity."

The Women’s Division and Mission Volunteer's office of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist church has a partnership project that will enable women from the United States to build friendships and experience mission for one to two weeks.

The Pastoral de la Mujer y Familia (Women and Family Committee) of the Methodist Church in Uruguay developed the program with the participation of three women from the UMC, Jeanette Augenstein and Myrtis Thompson from Colorado Spring and Dove Coltharp from California. They were part of this time of fellowship, learning and friendship.

San Lucas Methodist Church of Paysandú was the place chosen for this activity. From August 13 to 15 we gathered with more than twenty people. Two women from Bella Union (northwestern Uruguay); two from Salto, two from Trinidad and nine women and some men from the San Lucas Methodist Church of Paysandú, gathered during three great days of sewing, cutting, creating, quilting and especially making friendships.

Language was not an obstacle for understanding. Nevertheless the language of love was the main one spoken during this time of quilting.