Ordinary Missionaries
The stories of George And Vonda Sisneros as they work in the village of El Rosario, Guatemala
“You can’t save them. You can’t save Venancia.”
I got a call from my friend Mara on Friday afternoon. Mara is part of our ministry team who lives in El Rosario. She called to let me know that Venancia’s health was failing again. In less than 48 hours, she was going in the wrong direction.
As we talked, my mind raced. I’ve prayed. I continue to pray. I have talked with doctors. I have taken Venancia to a private hospital, the National hospital, to multiple doctor’s offices. I’ve made sure she has every medication that could possibly help her. What have I missed?
“Is there anything I can do Mara?”
“I think you should come see her George.”
“Mara, I can’t go tonight. I can go tomorrow morning. Wait. I have an early morning meeting. I’ll go tomorrow. I don’t know when.
With a really calm and peaceful voice, she said “Ok George. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mara had called at 6pm. With Friday traffic to Chimaltenango, I knew it would take me an hour and a half to get to El Rosario. Tonight I had planned to watch a movie with the kids. Maybe I could leave at 6:30am so I could visit her early in the morning with just enough time to get back for my 9 am meeting.
Thirty minutes later I was in my car driving to El Rosario. I couldn’t think of anything else. And that’s where God met me. I can only remember a few times in my life where Gods voice was more clear.
“You can’t save them.
You can’t save Venancia.Love her.
I’m the only one who can save.
Lead them to me.
My healing is eternal.”
I think God felt the weight of the burden I was carrying and in an instant, He lifted it.
I have read about Jesus healing throughout the bible, how he raised people from the dead. But at the end of the day, every one of them died. Even Lazarus.
Our lives here on earth are temporary. “A mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14
When I got to Venancia’s, it was dark. Friends and family were sitting in her room. It was quiet. It felt like they were waiting for her to die.
I sat with her and smiled. “Venancia, I’m not here because you are dying. I’m here because you are alive. God talked to me tonight and told me that I can’t save you. I’m sorry. But He said that He is the eternal salvation. When we put our faith in Him, we are already healed.”
I prayed for my friend Venancia. I kissed her on the cheek and told her I would be back in a few days.
I’m realizing more and more that I’m not a missionary. I’m a Christian. I’m doing now what I should have been doing all along. I’m realizing I didn’t have to travel 2,000 miles to Central America to follow Jesus.
“Love God and Love your neighbor.” That’s it. That’s all He asks.
August 21, 2014 – My friend Maria Venancia Cos Set has been completely healed and is in the arms of our Holy God in heaven.
To read more about the Sisneros’ mission in Guatemala, stay tuned to Culturs.guru for more of their stories. To help on their journey in El Rosario, click here.
