A Rude Awakening

Trujillo, Peru

As I continue to share moments related to my ministry with you, I must recount how I reached a point where I was compelled to travel alone, without the aid of a translator. This experience ultimately proved to be pivotal for my ministry in Peru. Occasionally, we need to confront truths that we might prefer to avoid, yet these truths are essential for advancing our ministry to the next level. 

Three years into my third trip to Arequipa, Peru, I consistently had the privilege of a traveling companion who would translate for me wherever I went. While this greatly facilitated my travels, it also fostered a dependency on the translator accompanying me. I had grown quite accustomed to relying on this support. However, after a specific meeting with the senior pastor, I was informed that from that day forward, I would no longer have a companion to translate for me. I was required to preach and teach in Spanish, as this was considered the only way to encourage me to learn the language. This realization was a profound and sobering truth I had to confront in order to improve my effectiveness and reduce my reliance on external assistance. 

As I was sitting there reflecting, my mind was experiencing considerable conflict. I understood that the pastor was taking the appropriate action, but my thoughts and physical reaction did not entirely align with this understanding. Outwardly, I responded affirmatively to the pastor, although inwardly I was concerned about my upcoming trip. I initially thought that there would be ample time to prepare for the transition, but towards the end of the meeting, the pastor informed me that I would be traveling to Trujillo, Peru, north of Lima, for a two-week engagement with an affiliated church the following week. At that moment, it became evident that I was not entirely comfortable with the situation. Although I do not typically display strong emotions, sometimes other gestures might suggest otherwise. 

During my second year at Rhema, I learned a crucial lesson: when you are in a position of support, your role is to fulfill your commitments without selectively choosing tasks. It is not your place to dictate how things should be done; rather, you are there to assist in the manner desired by the person you are supporting. This does not preclude asking questions or offering suggestions. 

For instance, an experience with one of the assistant pastors highlighted this point. He was discussing upcoming changes that needed to be implemented, and it was evident from his expression that he sensed my reluctance. Before he could address it, I reassured him that, despite my initial reaction, I would fully support the changes. I conveyed that I always heart adjustments accordingly and would stand behind him as we implemented the new procedures. He acknowledged my commitment, and we proceeded with the meeting. 

During my Submission to Authority class in my second year at Rhema, I learned an important distinction emphasized by our instructor. He articulated it as follows: “There is a significant difference between submission and agreement. Submission occurs when one complies with something despite not wanting to or disagreeing with it. Agreement, on the other hand, is when one willingly engages in something they are in full concurrence with.”

Reflecting on this concept can be beneficial as you navigate future situations. 

To conclude my story, I traveled to Trujillo and fully committed myself during the two weeks I spent there and throughout the remainder of that year. Upon completing the meeting, I congratulated myself, thinking, "That was not too difficult after all!" However, a year later, I faced an unexpected realization. Returning to the same church for another two-week session, I finished the meeting on the final day when a church member approached the pastor and remarked, “This time I truly understood what Pastor Charles was sharing with us!” This prompted two thoughts: 1) My first year there might have been misleading, as I believed they comprehended my message, and 2) Fortunately, my communication skills improved significantly after practicing for an entire year.