Remembering God's Faithfulness
Dear friends,
Over the past few months we have been incredibly overwhelmed by your kind words and affirmations. Most of you know that we recently celebrated ten years serving in Bolivia. It seems only a short time ago that we boarded a plane in Kentucky and left behind our life in the States. Looking back we have so much to be grateful for. It has not been the easiest road to travel but we couldn’t imagine it any other way. The lessons we have learned and the life we have lived give testimony to God’s amazing grace. Many of you have walked with us from the start and for that we are extremely grateful.
One lesson we have learned over the years we picked up from the people who live here, the Andean Aymara. Their worldview teaches them to reflect on the past in order to better understand how to approach the future. When there is a certain value of the things of old there is almost of sense of enlightenment for the things to come. While we don’t necessarily consider ourselves enlightened, we do feel there is value in reflecting on the past ten years.
The following is Andrea’s reflection on lessons learned over the last ten years.
10. Incarnational ministry is much more about me than the people I serve.
9. Sacrifices made for the wrong reasons cause unnecessary pain.
8. Evil is more prevalent than I ever could have imagined.
7. I can live without, but convenience is really nice.
6. Community is not pretty.
5. Pride can come really come back to bite you.
4. Listening is one of the most valuable gifts.
3. I cannot change anyone.
2. This promise is true: “There is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
1. God is Faithful.
This August we celebrated 10 years of life in Bolivia. This is hugely significant, for me at least.
A friend asked me, “So what’s been the best part of it all?” and without hesitation I said, “Remembering it.” The truth is there’s more heartache in my memories than anything else. I’ve said more good-byes than I ever want to count. I’ve come face-to-face with injustice and suffering. I have hated the loneliness, the miserable cold, the isolation, tending to another one of my sick babies. Living here, choosing to stay here, has cost me in ways that most will never know.
And yet, standing on this side of it all, I’m also struck by a deep sense of satisfaction – that in some small ways, our “spiritual gift of stubbornness” has paid off. Here we have birthed a community, a ministry, a family… and a life.
I can’t help but remember the countless faces of all who have been a part of this journey – a beautiful tapestry of friends and family from all walks of life and from all over the world. We have not done this alone. And the memories of this shared life are etched in my soul.
But more than anything I am profoundly and humbly moved by the Lord’s goodness. He has been so faithful. He has always provided. When life pushed us to the edge, when all the doors were closed, when the bank was empty, when we reached our limits, when we thought all hope was gone, when we had nothing left to give…. He has always been present, even if it took us a little longer to see, or recognize or even want Him.
These 10 years have been quite the journey. And God has been so good. This life is for His glory and honor.
Learning from past successes and failures doesn’t seem to be unique to the mission life. I think everyone can relate to this reality. Looking ahead with a little more life under our belt doesn’t seem as daunting as it did ten years ago. At the same time we are mindful that life continues to be a walk of faith and that very few of us can predict what tomorrow brings.
One thing we know for certain, we still feel called to this crazy adventurous life in Bolivia, where we are privileged to fight on behalf of those who have no voice and who have never experienced the love of their Creator. Our hearts continue to break for women caught in the sex trade, for children who are growing up in such a rotten environment and for men who seem to perpetuate exploitation.
I guess the reason we continue to fight and hold out hope is because there was Someone who first loved us. We are more humbled today than when we began this work. The reality that God uses us in His Kingdom is sobering.
We also can’t imagine doing this work alone. So many of you have accompanied us on this journey. Your faithfulness is a testimony to His goodness in the world. Thanks for celebrating with us.
Blessings,
The Bakers