Where Small Acts of Kindness Can Lead
As told by Meily Garrido
God has been impressing on me the importance of small acts of kindness, such as Joseph in Genesis 40, where he did not count his own imprisonment to be considered, but instead he selflessly interpreted the baker’s and the cupbearer’s dreams for them. No one knew such a little act of kindness would not only be the key to opening his own prison doors, but in time, put him in a prominent position to save many nations from starvation. Obedience in reaching out to others ushers in outstanding results.
While in Honduras with the Redeemer team, I shared these thoughts, and we reached out to the Tolupan people with this in mind. As we set ourselves for this intent, a young girl came up to me and asked, “Do you remember me?” I apologized as I could not. She responded, “My name is Ana, and I am Manuel’s youngest daughter.” Immediately I knew who she was.
Ten years ago her dad brought her mom into our base camp with severe abdominal pain. We knew immediately that she needed to be taken down to the hospital (4-5 hours away). As we made preparations, Cristy Garrido and Heidi Winter urgently shared the Gospel with her, and gratefully she prayed to receive Christ. Her salvation was sure as they departed for the long trip. Just as they were entering the hospital however, she passed away. The hospital released her body to the family to be brought back for burial. I will never forget that funeral as the Tolupan unusually agreed for Alan and the team to not only attend but to perform the funeral.
Where Small Acts of Kindness Lead
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I will never forget that funeral as the Tolupan unusually agreed for Alan and the team to not only attend but to perform the funeral.
Burial of Manuel’s wife - Beulah Trip 2013
The Frontline team carried the simple casket to the burial site, and the timid Tolupan all stood afar off except for Manuel. After they lowered the casket down Alan switched on a newly translated Tol audio recording of the Bible story of Assurance, stating that once you are in the hand of God, no one can take you out. The Tolupan people were astonished and baffled to hear a loud speaker, much less one speaking their own language. This story spoke concerning God’s care of those who put their trust in Him. It was perfect timing. The Frontline team ministered that week in many small acts of kindness to Manuel’s family, including providing food in their difficult time.
Ana continued, “I will never forget what you all did for my family when my mom died ten years ago! You brought food and helped us.” The Tolupan are a people of few words so it was encouraging to hear how much our acts of kindness so many years ago meant to Manuel’s family.
Later that week, Ana gave her life to Christ. I was honored to share with Ana that now she, too, would go to Heaven, just like her mom did. What a sweet moment that was for both of us! Please continue praying for the rest of Manuel’s family to come into the Kingdom of God.
Our Sweet Meily
Meily Garrido: 21 Years of Leading With Acts of Love
Who remembers everyone that has been on a mission trip to Honduras AND their birthday?!! Who has a smile that is so contagious? Meily Garrido! To know her is to love her.
She has grown from serving as a teen interpreter 21 years ago to facilitating the church planting effort among the Tolupan People and training new Honduran missionaries, pastors, and leaders in Sulaco and Flower Mountain areas, in addition to attending to the innumerable preparations for every visiting mission team. It is for this reason that we want to highlight Meily Garrido for her labor of love with Frontline Missions for over 21 years now!
We are spreading the Message of Jesus Christ far and wide, even to the remotest villages. Where we can not personally travel, God is raising up local believers to share the hope of the Gospel in culturally relevant ways, often breaking generations of division through the peace of the Gospel.
“In every way…Christ is preached. And in that I rejoice!” - Philippians 1:18
Currently, we have 13 Jesus Film backpacks in five nations. Rejoice with us in celebrating the addition of new brothers and sisters in Christ who will one day join us in front of the great throne worshiping our Lord!
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Jumping Over Borders
Seven years ago, the Lord prompted us to reach out to the Wayuú people on the Colombia-Venezuela border. The area is known as Guajira, a Colombian province around the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo. We knew there were approximately a half-million unsaved Wayuú and that they deeply value their oral culture and language. In the midst of considering how best to reach such a people, God linked us with a seasoned and visionary pastor, Arnulfo Prieto of Colombia. Pastor Arnulfo and Luis Chavarria conceived that a ministry school in Riohacha, Colombia would train native Wayuú to reach their neighbors as no foreign missionary could. Frontline partnered with Manna Churches to support the project, which continues to this day.
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Students of the school are trained in basic theology and Christian leadership. They learn the art of story-telling and the importance of identifying opportunities to advance the Kingdom using local resources. Graduates from the ministry school have planted Wayuú churches in different villages and several more are being planted right now.
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God has opened the gate to reach the Wayuú in Venezuela despite the political landscape. In January this ministry school graduated 48 students, 80% of whom are Wayuú. In 2023, we will add two new training centers in Venezuela near Maracaibo. Over three hundred students have already registered. Last year Wayuu leadership under the oversight of Luis Chavarria started translating a 42-Bible Storying set into Wayuunaiki, the mother tongue of the Wayuú. It is expected to be completed in the first semester of 2023, and it will be made available not only to our Wayuú ministry team but to any Christian ministry via additional ministry partnerships. May the Lord be glorified and may He grant His favor to those of us privileged to be involved in sharing the Good News with the Wayúu, and may many embrace Christ.
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Pastor Arnulfo, teaching in Maracaibo, Venezuela
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