An experience from my recent trip to Colombia continues to grab my attention. One day we went into the mountains to visit and study with a family. Some family members were Christians–some were not. We left as soon as possible after breakfast. At first the road was at least acceptable, but as we climbed further into the region of coffee fincas and sparse population, the “road” became barely a path, generally wide enough for only one vehicle. While we were in a car, the only vehicles we saw were jeeps. After about two hours, we arrived at “Finca del Oriente” (loosely translated, coffee plantation of the east). The rugged terrain was incredibly beautiful–the house and its surroundings intriguing.
After being greeted with hugs and holy kisses, we were treated to fresh coffee (sugar and cinnamon included) prepared on the open fire of the “kitchen”–really a sheltered breezeway between the main house and the bodegas. An interesting thing was that the roof of the coffee drying unit was moveable–it sat on a series of beams and rollers so that the coffee could be exposed to the sun but protected when it rained. My host, a brother in Christ of probably 70 years, wanted to show us more of the finca, so he scampered up the almost vertical trail until we reached a beautiful overview. I carefully made my way up the trail, but was glad when it was time to rest briefly. My body was not as ready as his for the thin air of the higher altitude.
After a delicious lunch, vegetable soup followed by a plate of rice, yucca, bread, and thin pieces of boiled beef, we spent the afternoon in Bible study. On this day, hermano Roberto and I were the teachers since we were the guests. Someone from the church makes the trip to the mountains every week to study with these Christians and their non-Christian friends and family members who want to understand more about God’s will and word. (Remember that the trip is about two hours each way, plus the time spent in fellowship and study.)
We left in time to be back down the mountain and to the church building for the 6:00 P.M. activity. (Evening sessions were scheduled every night we were there–two hours of preaching, plus questions and answers, conversation and fellowship.)
The most impressive part of the story for me is that the Christians in the family we visited get up every Sunday morning at 3:30 A.M. in order to get ready to come down the mountain to worship with their spiritual family. They encourage their friends and neighbors to come with them, and some do. The only way down the mountain for those who do not own their own transportation is by “jeep taxi”. These Christians (and some who are not yet Christians) arise very early in order to take care of the normal morning routines and chores, get ready, and walk to the jeep taxi stop in order to catch a ride down the mountain. They have to be at the jeep stop no later than 6 A.M. The 2+ hour trip down the mountain (jeep taxi) and into the city (regular taxi) gets them to the church building between 8:30 and 9:00 A.M., in time for Sunday study and assembly which begins at 9:00 A.M. After the activities have concluded (including a noon meal on many Sundays), they make the return trip home–another 2+ hours. (By the way, they were not present for the evening sessions during my visit–no way back up the mountain after dark, and too dangerous to walk.)
I wonder….
how faithful most of us in the U.S. would be if we had to get up at 3:30 A.M. in order to be present for morning Bible study and worship
how many of us in the U.S. would decide that Sunday morning Bible study is optional given this demanding schedule (since many have already made that decision because of the need to get up by 8:30 or 9:00 A.M.)
how faithful most of us in the U.S. would be if Sunday routines and worship required almost 12 hours every Lord’s Day (after all, we have a “life”, or do we?)
how long most U.S. ministers would last if most of one day a week involved studying with and strengthening a single family in Christ, with the hope that the accompanying evangelistic study would bring additional souls to Christ
how committed we would be to fellowship if we lived more than 2 hours from the building where our spiritual family assembles
The “what if” list could easily be extended to multiple areas of life. Yes, I know that we do not live in that place and culture, and that our situations are different. Nonetheless, the question is a valid one for every Christian: how important is your Christianity to you?