Moline Love

I witnessed something beautiful this week.  Something truly unique and special.  People from varying backgrounds and skills and even languages came together to serve their Lord and community.  And me?  I was able to join in and be a part of the magic that took place :)

Left: Tim Geerlings, Rafael, Calomindo, Ethan Hunter, Me, Pastor Adonis

Three men—Pastor Adonis, Calomindo, and Rafael—came all the way from Mangulile, Honduras to Moline, Michigan this past week.  A funny thing was at work here, God’s fingers playing the piano keys to the tune I was dancing to.  You see, a year ago I found myself in that small countryside town of Mangulile in Honduras.  I was there through the Christian Reformed Church not in fact to spend time with the CRC church there, but rather to meet with and spend time with a few young volunteers that were living and serving there.  The day we arrived, I noticed some rather vibrant neon yellow shirts and of course I was interested in what was printed on them.  Imagine my complete surprise when I read “Moline Christian School” and “Moline CRC”!  I am quite sure I froze for a moment trying to compute what I was seeing.  Here I am, in the middle of nowhere in Central America, and I see shirts from the small town where I went to elementary school!  I believe I then interrupted a conversation that was going on and blurted out questions about the t-shirts.  The people of Mangulile were delighted to tell me all about their years-long friendship with the small church of Moline CRC and how they had just in fact returned home from a visit there.  That whole week I was then known as “the other Moline girl” which of course made me very happy :)

My visit to Mangulile, Honduras 2015

Now living back in Moline, Michigan I was graciously invited by Moline CRC to be a part of their week-long service-outreach program to their community known simply as “Moline Love”.  And more importantly, to walk alongside their Honduran friends as they too joined in the festivities and projects of Moline Love.  I got to see Moline through their eyes, and boy what a treat it was!  Moliners, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for doing this right, for not only opening up your homes to strangers, but also your hearts.  You have shown a love to the people of Mangulile that many would call crazy, especially since many of you have yet to visit there!  Not only that, but you also have chosen to go out and be the hands and feet of Christ right here in West Michigan.  This is the kind of hospitality, love and service that Paul encourages the early church to demonstrate, and here we are, thousands of years later, and you’ve got it.  Be proud, Moline.  To echo the words of Paul the Apostle: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

For those of us who aren’t a part of Moline CRC, I want us to be encouraged by our brothers and sisters of Moline and Mangulile.  I want us to be inspired by their story and their commitment to their community here and abroad.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are the hands and feet of our loving Savior here on Earth.  What a glorious burden and privilege!  Let us rejoice together knowing that someday every tongue that speaks every language will come together as one and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.  Let’s get a head start, shall we?