The Great Commission Mandate
A Church of God pastor’s wife recently shared her response to the Great Commission mandate to “go.”
The January 2010 Global Expedition to Alfa y Omega Casa Hogar in Poza Rica, Mexico was, again, an extraordinary trip. How can a trip – where you are miserably cold at times, on buses for long periods of time, walking in mud, dealing with a language barrier, unable to brush your teeth in their water, hearing sad stories of kids’ lives before coming to live at the orphanage – still be so awesome and amazing? It’s because of what God is doing there at Casa Hogar. It’s because of wonderful people. It’s because of a great leader. It’s because of hearts bigger than the people that contain them! And I love being a part of that.
That first day of the trip, the kids and staff at Casa Hogar welcomed us with balloons and pom poms, music and excitement. This was my second trip to Casa Hogar and it felt so good to return to see the beautiful faces of the children there… Anali, Carlos Giovanni, Miguel, Angela, Eddy Roberto and Yazmin. There are 50 + kids, but each one of them is special and unique.
We had the opportunity to do ministry in various capacities during the seven days. Some of the team members painted the girls’ dorm, others built Corn Hole games for them to play, basic medical examinations were done for each child, and we left them with six months of food and supplies because of generous donations sent by individuals and churches across America. The Christmas parties were exciting too. I will never forget the anticipation on their faces as they delved into the big bags of gifts the team had brought. It was a joy to be able to take gifts for the dedicated and loving staff of Casa Hogar as well. They deserve so much more.
As a mother, I am deeply affected by this trip. As I sat at the table with some of the teenage boys laughing as we rehashed some of the funny scenes from the movie Nacho Libre, I thought of my own 14-year old son back home. I don’t understand neglect. I don’t get mothers allowing their daughters to be molested repeatedly. I can’t fathom a 2-year old being hungry for days due to parental disregard.
As a pastor’s wife, I feel so compelled to encourage my church family to accept the call to look beyond our four walls in to the world. I mean, it is the mandate of Acts 1:8 and the call of James 1:27. It’s something my husband/pastor preaches very often, but for many of us, it doesn’t really sink in. We consume ourselves with our own lives so much that we often fail to remember the call to truly love others. Love is a verb.
As a follower of Christ, I have to do something about it. Maybe it’s just a small part, but I will do my part.
Al’Lora Leonhardt, wife of Pastor Mark Leonhardt
Sheffield Church of God in Sheffield, Ohio
For more information about the upcoming summer missions trips to Casa Hogar Alfa y Omega, sponsored by the Church of God International Department of Youth and Christian Education, contact Tony Lane at 423-478-7229 or write him at tlane@churchofgod.org.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
