Held Together

“In him all things hold together.”  Colossians 1:17

If you ever fear the world is falling apart, let me assure you it is not but is bound securely by countless wires protruding from concrete columns in Central America. I know, for I spent most of last week clipping them off.

The setting was rural Guatemala.  The site was an orphanage under construction.  The hope as forty-seven folks from my church headed south for a Spring Break missions trip was that we would join in what God was doing and maybe make a difference.  Our prayer was for God to work through our hands and in our hearts.

To say He did so would be a glaring understatement.   

Because of our bountiful and diligent crew, construction progressed rapidly.  Some framed and filled columns—I cut wire.  Some mixed and poured concrete (bucket by bucket)—I cut wire.  Some leveled ground—I cut wire.  Some tested local water—I cut wire.  Some built block walls—I cut wire.  Some fixed lunch, taught children, encouraged moms, sang songs, played soccer, and preached sermons—I cut wire.  When I offered to join the other activities, my proposals were kindly rejected for my help was not needed.  (No comments regarding my skill set—or lack thereof—are necessary!)

It was actually most enjoyable! The others in our group had planned, prepared, and were now performing, and my only job was to do my simple job and simply be amazed—and not be in charge!  The days were filled with sun and sweat, but the satisfaction of rising walls, smooth sidewalks, and smiling children quickly soothed sore backs and weary muscles.  We were excited, content, and full of joy.

And then forty-seven became forty-six.  

None of us saw it coming—certainly not Dave’s doctor who had declared his heart “perfect” only a few weeks before, but in a moment, Dave’s chest tightened, his breathing shortened, and on his way to the hospital, God took him home.  

We were eating lunch when the final news arrived, and plates lay untouched as groups gathered in prayer.  We chose to continue the mission and held the closing VBS service only a few hours later.  With arms linked in love and support, twenty-two high school students walked down the mountain and sang the pre-planned song, “I’ll Fly Away,” for the congregation. In the midst of the turmoil, great peace hovered in our hearts, and a serene sense that this day had been planned from eternity reigned supreme.

The emerging details screamed God’s sovereignty. One of our group happened to be an EMT who responded immediately to the need.  All with us who were bi-lingual happened to be working at a different site, and the only available interpreter was from a college group which just happened to stop for the day.  She happened to be a nurse who works at the embassy and in just a few hours was able to complete paperwork which normally takes days or weeks.  The man who founded the ministry happened to be meeting with the best friend of the owner of Guatemala’s nicest funeral when the call came in, and within minutes, a hearse was on its way to pick up Dave’s body (which arrived back in the States before we did!) The college group who had happened to stop by was mostly “not-yet-Christians” who happened to then be stuck with us, so they happened to hear the great news of the blood-stained cross and the empty tomb at least five times that day as we surrounded them, included them, and shared with them personally and in the service the faith of Dave Gorte and the hope he—and we—have in Christ.  And the stories go on—too many to recount in this short account, but more than enough to assure and reassure that as Dave’s wife, Lynda, told me, “It’s all a tapestry, woven by God to show His glory and draw us close.”

Dave’s funeral starts in less than an hour.  Smiles will mix with sorrow and grief will blend with gladness as we celebrate a precious man and dear friend. He will be greatly missed, for he lived well and loved much. 

Before he left for Guatemala, Dave said this trip would change his life.  It really only changed his location, for here on earth and there in heaven, Dave’s true life—and the lives of all who know and love the Lord—are bound securely together by the unfailing love and forever grace of our infinite Savior. 

And that, thank God, can never be cut off!!