The Dependence Days

Yesterday was Uruguay’s Independence Day. August 25^th two years ago, I celebrated the holiday with my hosts - the Corrales family - in Punta del Este, THE vacation destination in the country (although quite cold in August). 

*see post from that day

There, I snapped this picture of what looked like a homeless sea lion – mattress and all! His home is the sea, but now he’s in this foreign place all by himself - and it’s so exhausting, he just wants to sleep! Looking back at this picture today, I realized that I could have really related with this sea lion at the time!

That Independence Day was very early into my time in Uruguay when I frankly felt anything but independent. My lack of proficiency in the language, my lack of experience with the culture and my lack of knowledge of how to get around caused me to be very dependent on others - much like when I was a child! People don’t like this feeling. We want to feel and look intelligent, confident, and like we are truly contributing…more than we are being contributed to.

This, God used to really humble me to the point that being “dependent on God” sort of became the main theme of my internship. It was still my responsibility to work hard to improve, but I had to trust Him with the results…and to learn to laugh at myself looking stupid - because that’s just part of it.

Throughout the next few months, the everyday things like grocery shopping, understanding what bus to take and knowing where the good restaurants are, became routine and more natural. I was not only able to know my way around, but even to direct others! That’s when I felt like I was starting to do this thing - this foreign place could maybe, someday be home.

Even though this time, I will be flying into a place where I have been before, have relationships, and have a much better idea of what I’ll be doing, I still recognize my inexperience, weakness and necessity to be flexible! I need to be dependent on God’s power more than ever - fueled by your prayers.

Extend Your Reach to the Unreached

When you hear the phrase “unreached people group,” the tribe with no written language on the jungle island is likely to come to mind. While you wouldn’t be wrong - the modern, better-off, European-style nation may be just as cut off from the Gospel and a strong Church presence.

So in a very real sense, the people as a whole in Uruguay are unreached. With half the population considering itself “non-religious” (which is the highest for a country in the Western Hemisphere), atheism, agnosticism and skepticism reign supreme over the closest competitor of Catholicism (of which only 2% attend Mass).[1]

The great missionary Paul did his part in the Christian mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), by making it his ambition to “preach the Gospel where Christ was not known” instead of “building on someone else’s foundation” (Rom. 15:20). That’s why he asked the Roman church to join with him by supporting his Gospel-expansion to Spain (Rom. 15:23-24).

While it was Paul’s role in the mission to go to unreached people groups, he saw the senders’ role (whether giving, praying or both) as truly joining with him. To his faithful financial supporters in Philippi, Paul wrote, “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel” (Phil. 1:4-5). He urged others, “Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Rom. 15:30).

Supporting me prayerfully and financially extends your reach to Uruguay. The lives that God changes in that country will, in part, be a result of your effort from the place that God has you.

I’ve been incredibly encouraged, in my first couple weeks of meeting with people, by God’s hold on people’s hearts! Some have committed to give generously before I even say anything! You’re right, God - this all depends on you, not my ability - thanks for the clear reminder!

---

[1] Jason Mandryk. Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. 7th ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: Biblica Publishing, 2010), 870.