Last saturday i saw The Motorcycle Diaries, which chronicles a trip taken by Che Guevera and his friend. They travel the continents of South and Central America. Che Guevera is moved by the injustice he sees at each stop on their journey. You see him give away money, food, even medicine to people he comes in contact with, people that are merely trying to survive.

Towards the end of the film, Che and his friend visit a leper colony. They had established contact with the doctor beforehand, and they aid the doctors and nuns in caring for the sick. They also help those who come for care by building houses, working the fields, and developing relationships. These people have been outcast by society, a simple conversation or handshake means acceptance, love.

There is one scene in a cabin, where Che and his friend are sleeping. Che is staring out into the dark of night, looking at the Amazon. He asks his friend if he sees the river to which his friend replies with some smart answer. Che remarks, "It separates the sick from the healthy."

The last night at the leper colony, the doctors and nurses throw a birthday party for Che. After the party, he goes down to the dock on the river and stares across it toward the land where the lepers live. His friend comes out for another toast, and Che decides to swim the river. He jumps in. The friend tries to get him to return. The head doctor runs to the bank of the river, and says that no one has ever crossed it before. It causes such a commotion that the residents on the other side come out of their homes to see what all the yelling is about. It is then that they see Che swimming with all his energy.

Che has asthma. There is a good chance he won't make it. But he does. He reaches the other side of the river and the sick pull him out and embrace him. This scene sent such a strong message to me. It's as if Che was thinking, "I will be the bridge between the sick and the healthy."

In our office today, we bid farewell to two pastors. They are on their way to begin the Salvation Army's work in Romania. They helped start the work in Moldova in the '90's, and always prayed that God would open up some door for the work in Romania to begin. Recently, the government of Romania granted permission for the Salvation Army to come, and these two individuals answered the call. At our farewell coffee break, the wife teared up as she talked about how difficult the separation will be from her kids and five grandchildren. The husband stood at the podium with such humility.

He recounted their experiences in Moldova, when the work seemed so overwhelming at certain points, that he and his wife would return to their apartment and sit on the sofa and cry. He spoke of God's faithfulness. How when it always seemed to be endless, he was reminded of his fervent desire to increase the kingdom. It was then that God would send down the gentle whisper of peace. And that was enough to carry them through.

I have to wonder if I am as open as these three individuals. Do I allow the Spirit to speak to me of the injustices that surround us in our neighborhood? Am I obedient to the call of God even when circumstances appear bleak?

"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." --Micah 6:8

posted by Kelly @ 10:40:00 AM