For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the land to strengthen those
whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a
Hamilton Life Church, February 3-10, 2009
Gumercindo with wife Dulce Maria, Robert and Damon
Gumercindo Toribio is a man in his late 60's and has been serving God and the church since a missionary came to the bakery where he baked bread daily. The owner was a Christian and he sensed that Gumercindo wanted to accept Christ. He began going to church with the owner and shortly after accepted Christ. That was 1979.
Gumercindo is a man seeking to serve the Lord wherever God sends him. He's worked in over 4 different communities over the past 30 years with a heart to plant churches, grow strong leaders, and send them out to lead, and disciple, and plant churches.
He and his wife Dulce Maria (Sweet Mary) live in the mountains in a fairly rural community two hours outside of Santiago. They pastor a growing church. He is discipling men. He is spreading the gospel.
One of the churches that support the work I am involved with came to see firsthand the work we were doing. I visited with them before their trip. I don't think anything would have quite prepared them or me for their week here. I believe the LORD sent Hamilton Life Church to strengthen the hearts of Gumercindo and Dulce Maria.
The week was filled with sweet moments of the team working side-by-side to encourage them in their faith, their work... their hearts. When we arrived to the mountains on Saturday after a long week of construction of a church and nutrition center in Santiago, the kids were ready to go. They sang sweet songs worshipping the Lord and in the evening's church service, Pastor Damon who preached, washed the feet of Gumercindo urging the church members to serve one another just as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.
But, not only was this week an encouragement to Gumercindo, but I believe to the team and the pastor as well. Gumercindo is a church planter. Pastor Damon is two years into their church plant. During dinner one night, Damon's father asked for Gumercindo to share some wisdom with his son in church planting, in that way, the wise can encourage the young. Gumercindo spoke many words of wisdom to Damon.
The Lord sent two different parts of the body to encourage one another, serve one another, love one another.
It has been an honor to be a part of this work and to see the Lord's hand at work in all of this.
Thank you Jesus for dying for us and for bringing us together, for calling us to love and serve one another. Just as you loved us enough to serve and die for us.
