MAY 25, 2020
[About the photos: Pastor Carlos Tovilla; Pastor Alejandro and his family, including his daughter Esmirna; Doctor Paco and his wife]
Hello friends. This is a special “online only” newsletter that I felt compelled to write and send to you. As you know, I can’t be in Mexico right now because of the coronavirus shut down, but my heart aches to be with the people there, and I often find myself literally weeping with compassion for my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
When the Holy Spirit sent the Apostle Paul to Jerusalem (in Acts 20) he called the people of Ephesus to himself and said, “You yourselves know from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and tears and with trials which came upon me from the plots of the Jews. I did not shrink from declaring to you anything…Now, behold, bound in the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.”
On the one hand, Paul’s heart was with the people in Ephesus, on the other, he was called by the Spirit to Jerusalem. I too am being pulled in two different directions - I am being pulled in one direction by passion (or compassion) and in another direction by wisdom. Do I go, or do I stay?
Some might think I am not doing much during these days of lockdown, but I am in constant communication with the leaders in Mexico. Last Friday I received several calls from all over the nation, with very important news and very important decisions to be made.
From the northern part of the country, I received news that Pastor Samuel’s church roof was destroyed by a strong storm. From Tuxtla, Chiapas, Pastor Carlos informed me that our Doctor Paco, who has lost three patients to the coronavirus, has now himself tested positive.
In that same call Carlos told me he was leaving immediately for Tuxtepec, a six hour drive, to be with Pastor Alejandro Sabini, whose 11 year old daughter, Esmirna, underwent an emergency appendectomy, during which a tumor was discovered. The tumor was removed, along with an infected ovary. We are waiting now for the results of the tumor biopsy.
We are helping with replacing the roof. I have sent money to help with the surgery costs. We are all praying for Dr. Paco. The strong pull of compassion in my heart is to go and be with these dear people. The strong pull of wisdom is to be cautious for a while more, because contacting the virus and exposing it to my dear wife would be fatal for her.
And so, I am torn between the two, and I covet your prayers for the clear direction of the Holy Spirit. I do plan to return in July.
God bless you all,
Larry