Stomachs of Fish and Woodcreek's Perseverance

The Word says, “The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights” Jonah 1:17. This is a story that most of us are very familiar with for it seemed to be a favorite among the classic Vacation Bible School stories told over and over. Because of the repetition, familiarity, and unrealistic elements, to me, the story of Jonah became more like a fairy tale like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty rather than something that actually happened. The act of Jonah living in the belly of a whale for three days seemed as unfeasible as a pumpkin turning into a carriage or Sleeping Beauty being awakened from the dead by a kiss but the difference is that the Bible is real with real people and real stories. Unquestionably, Jonah was swallowed by a big fish and after three days and three nights “the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” I feel that sometimes we as Christians become numb to stories that we have heard since childhood that we miss out on real life applications and also miss out on the depth of the beauty of God’s Word.

I talk about Jonah because throughout the week that the Woodcreek youth group was here, this Old Testament story was on my mind relating to the youngsters’ experience here in Mexico. Let me explain, before you think that I am about to coincide the experience of being in Mexico as to the experience of being in a stomach of a fish. Although some from the group might say it is a fair comparison after the hardship they faced. Something I have learned from the story of Jonah and my own life is that ….. God cares more about your character than your comfort ….. and this is something I think the high school students also learned during their time here... Not only did I look forward to Woodcreek coming because they were the first American team for the summer but also because of a friendship I made last summer with a member from their church, Ben. I had also heard much praise and admiration from the MITC students about their fearless student minister as well.

The eleventh and twelfth grade students unloaded the bus all in smiles but with faces of expectations and also of bewilderment at being in the very country of swine flu and ongoing deadly drug wars. It was later explained to me that for them to obtain their parents’ permission was an act of God alone so naturally there was much anticipation to see God work, and work He did… in His unique and infamous style … aka His mysterious ways... I knew it was going to be a good week; I was greeted immediately by Ben’s sister and their physical resemblance along with a graceful character was an unmistakable trademark. Undoubtedly, the first day turned out to be the only day to go smoothly. The string of unpleasant events started with a student missing a meal because she felt sick to her stomach but the fear started to unravel when she started vomiting and running fever. The group was scheduled to go to a village the next day but things seemed very unpredictable when the youth minister woke up with the same symptoms. After a time delay and some intense prayer, it was clear that God intended for the youth minister and the other physically sick teenager to stay behind. It was heartbreaking to watch the minister tearfully send his group off, entrusted to other 2 sponsors. I, of course, went with the group on their journey to the village, which was situated up in the mountains about 5 hours away from the compound. We took a bus the first 4 hours then we had to take trucks up the mountain because the road was too narrow for other vehicles. Once we reached the muddy village, two other people became very sick with the same symptoms of the others. It became evident at this point that this was a contagious bug that was being passed around the group. These two were immediately sent back to Cordoba as we began our work painting the Christian church. After we finished painting for the day, we held a VBS for the kids which was a challenge because a lot of the kids spoke an Indian dialect which was very different than Spanish. It was obvious from the arrival that the students were uncomfortable in the village due to the outhouses and abundant supply of mud but the breaking point came during the nighttime church service. As soon as the sponsor started his sermon, one of our boys started violently throwing up in front of everyone. Then a fierce thunderstorm came and we all retreated inside. The students were scared to death of the likelihood of being the next person infected with whatever this was going around. They wanted to go home so badly. Clearly, this starless night in a foreign country, far from the comforts and familiarity of home was very challenging and difficult. The next day our other translator started feeling bad as well; therefore, the sponsors made the hard but necessary decision to head back to Cordoba. I will never forget seeing one of the sponsors break down crying on the ride back, clearly pushed to the limit and heartbroken over what was happening with the kids.

Have you ever really sat down and thought what it was like for Jonah to be inside the belly of a fish for three days? Have you ever imagined what it smelt like? What kind of sounds he heard? What it felt like? Was he in complete darkness? ….. I think that if you ask Jonah about his experience he would tell you that God was more concerned about his character than his comfort in this instance. The students from Texas would all agree that this mission trip to Mexico was difficult and uncomfortable but without a doubt God worked through them and in them. Our Heavenly Father pushed them out of their comfort zone and worked on their character. He made them realize that this trip was never about them in the first place but all about Him. I thank God for letting me learn more about Himself by living life with this special group of kids this week; it was beautiful to watch Him break down their barriers and draw them closer to Himself through pain and fear. The last night we had a special dinner where we shared testimonies and I had the privilege of giving them some advice. These students had become very dear to my heart and I also felt a special connection because a lot of them will soon be going off to college and I had just finished my college career this past month. So I took this opportunity and shared with them that no matter what their friends, culture, or professors say, they know and have experienced the true meaning and secret of life this week- which is to know God and make Him known. And I told them that I wanted them to remember their week in Mexico when hard times come because hard times will inevitably come and I want them to cling to God as they have done this week. Because once again, the purpose of this life is to know God and make Him known and nothing else will truly satisfy. I really loved this group of students; God really blessed my life and taught me a lot through them.

In conclusion, unlike Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Jonah is not a fictional character made up by human imagination. And although his story only takes up 2 pages of my 1,034 paged Bible, I think we can all learn from his life. I could seriously go on and on about lessons I have learned but that will have to be another day, another blog. I will end with the Bible verse that this youth group made their own during this problematic but beautifully bittersweet week of trials, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Thank you for your beautiful smile although tears streamed down your face. Thank you for letting me join in on the fervent prayers as we pleaded for health and gave thanks for God’s unwavering faithfulness and love. God used you in so many ways here in Mexico and my prayer for you is that you will continue to mature in your faith. Que Dios les cuide y les guarde.