A Step (or two or three) Outside my Comfort Zone

May 7, Written by Rose

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to the mountains together with Amanda and do ministry there – meeting the Tarahumara where they call home.  This is something Amanda does monthly, and although we’ve been here already for over eight months, it’s something we hadn’t necessarily pursued experiencing.  I’m not sure if you’d say we totally pursued it this month either 😉, but with enough encouragement from Amanda and others around us, we made the decision to head there from Friday to Saturday of this last weekend.

I wish I could say I am one of those super easy going, relaxed, go with the flow, adventurous type, as this would have made the weekend so much easier, but, as most of you know,…I’m just not.  It’s hard to admit, and would be easier to just not write about it, but so much about this weekend made me nervous: the food, the sleeping accommodations, leaving our four children behind, the transportation, and the constant change and ‘flexibility’ of plans.  By the time Friday morning came, I had serious doubts about the weekend.  As I kept on packing, making plans for our children, cleaning…and praying, I suddenly felt deep peace about going….in a strange, only God could have provided, kind of way.  I wish I could say this peace continued all weekend, that I fully trusted God and had the purest of motives in going, but that wouldn’t be true.  Although I’m so thankful we went, it was a stretching weekend spiritually and physically for me – one of those times where you feel just a little too far, way out far, of your comfort zone.  It’s in these times, however, that you realize you must fully surrender to Christ – and that truly is the best place to be.  So thankful that Jesus, my wonderful husband, Nathan, and friend, Amanda, were there with me.  I couldn’t have done it without them!

The adventure began shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday. We picked up groceries to bring to the mountains, Amanda’s friend Ana Cristina (a Tarahumara lady who runs the ministry), did a few errands, picked up Ana Cristina’s brother’s two puppies (gifts for their family in the mountains), and…we were finally off shortly after 4.  Although the drive was extremely windy and mountainous, I was so thankful to have great people to visit with, making the drive so much shorter.  The last 20 minutes of the drive was especially challenging.  I may not have been on my knees, but I’m pretty sure I was in constant prayer during that time!! Who knew that a 15-passenger van could maneuver over such big rocks!  When we finally parked the van, I felt instant relief!!  Now was the fun part – hiking down the mountain with all our bedding and food.  The 20-minute hike down proved to be a little more challenging than I had anticipated – not because of the hike itself, but rather because of the load we carried and the pitch-black darkness around us.  At the bottom of the mountain, we were greeted by Ana Cristina’s family and a home with a warm, cozy fire.  It was nearly 10 pm by this time, we enjoyed a supper meal together.  I had brought deesco and they served fried cactus, tortillas and beans.  Although the conversation between us and our hosts was challenging due to the language barrier, we did our best to communicate with them and get to know these people who were so graciously hosting us.  We spent the night in a different Tarahumara home nearby but were back to this same home for breakfast. What a feast they prepared for us – pork chops, tortillas, beans, eggs, and roasted vegetables.    Despite their very simple lifestyle and lack of material possessions, they were eager to give to us their very best – so humbling.  They continued to offer us food throughout the morning – mandarins, watermelon…. whatever they had, they offered to us.  The various animals that stood just outside their open house door, were eager for any scraps of food that might be tossed their way.  From the pigs, to the chickens, cows, goats, dogs and donkeys, each one knew their place, role, and where they belonged.

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After taking in a huge breakfast and enjoying the beauty and quietness around us, quietness that can only be found in the middle of nowhere with no reception 😉, we began the journey back up the mountain.  Our arms were full again as we brought our bedding and supplies back to the van.  After reaching the van, we began to unload the many boxes and bags of groceries we had brought along.  I’m not quite sure how many times Nathan and I looked over at each other, wondering how in the world we would ever get all these groceries down the mountain.  It became quickly apparent that we were NOT the experts in this area and that we would need to rely on the Tarahumara and Amanda for their expertise.  We were all too happy when we saw them bringing a donkey, and a wheelbarrow up the mountain for us to use.  I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a donkey as much as I did that day!  We loaded it up – all of it.  The donkey, Nathan with the wheelbarrow, each of the ladies, and myself – we all carried a load.  It wasn’t the easiest trek down, but the smiles were many as we laughed to ourselves at the experience.  There were several times Nathan thought the wheelbarrow would slip right out of his hands, due to lack of grip, sweaty palms, and a steep decline, but thankfully we made it; 10 flats of eggs and all, everything intact, down the mountain.

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The afternoon that followed was the specific ministry part of the weekend.  We prepared lunch for the Tarahumara that came, did some singing, shared a message, prayed for and over the people, and then gave them an opportunity to ‘purchase’ groceries.  Instead of asking for money for the groceries, these women brought their baskets and crafts and traded them for food.  This gives them purpose and value in their life and helps them take ownership for the food they are ’purchasing’.  The hardness of some of their hearts was mirrored on their faces – never making eye contact or offering a smile.  I wanted so badly to show them that I cared.  I found myself so often wondering that afternoon what Jesus would have done; how would he have treated these people.  Thoughts of the study I’m doing from the book of James came flooding into my mind.  James 2 strictly forbids favoritism, calling it sin, and listing it together with other sins of adultery and murder.  How often am I guilty of this; I found myself repenting. How often do I overlook the poor, those who are less valued in society, and show favoritism to those who have something to offer me.  As I pondered these thoughts, I knew that without a doubt, Jesus would have showered these people with his love, healing and strength.  He would have given His life for them – and he did. He came to this world in complete impartiality; to save each and every person and draw them back into a relationship with Him, regardless of their social status. How I pray these Tarahumara people will have sensed even just a small fraction of the love Jesus has for them as we served there that afternoon.  How I pray they will come to know Him too personally one day.

By the time we had cleaned up and were ready to head back up the mountain and home to our children, it was just past 5 pm and I was exhausted; physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Much of the five hour drive home was made in silence as people slept, trying to catch up on sleep and avoid car sickness.

Home – have I ever been as thankful to see it? Maybe not.  The many things we take for granted were there waiting for me: running water, electricity, cleanliness, abundant food, education, a toilet and shower, four healthy children….the list could go on and on.  These things all pale in comparison though to knowing Christ – that is the ultimate gift I so often take for granted.  That gift is available to everyone- the rich, the poor, the Mennonites, the Tarahumaras, the urbanized, mountain residing…e.a.c.h. and e.v.e.r.y. person. Christ died for each one.  I am reminded again that no one life’s is of more or less value to Him. 

I pray that as this ministry continues, month to month, that the hearts of these Tarahumara are softened to the gospel, that they come to know truth, and the love of Jesus. Please pray too for Amanda and Ana Cristina as they faithfully serve these people each month.  Pray that God would raise up more people and resources to minister in these areas and reach the many in the mountains with the good news of Jesus Christ.