'MWY' ... Your Gift of Simplicity, of Integrity, of Faithfulness ...

From a 'Game Card' during the mid-1800's

It was after eleven pm that I first caught a glimpse of his silhouette, less than a 100 yards in the distance. I could see that he was leaning against a telephone pole and appeared to be on crutches.

It was Spring Break the year 2000 and we were on our last evening of ten during our GAGA (Get Away Give Away) short term missions trip to San Luis Rio Colorado. A group of nearly 30 had just completed our annual trip south with teams that were dedicated to both construction and Vacation Bible School. It was the third such trip for me and our youngest Zach. And though the above were our primary ‘mission’, it was the relationships that Jon and I emphasized and had come to relish.

--- GAGA Team in front of La Iglesia Betania ---

With our luggage and sleeping bags now out of the trailer and sitting on the pavement of the parking lot, we began to scout out our sleeping quarters within the church gymnasium.

It had become a bit of a challenge for the last evening of this venture. Knowing that we would still have another 400 miles to home, I had made prior arrangements to stay at a church in Redding, California. Our hope was to arrive and meet our contact at a set time. Again, it was the year 2000, cell phones were not yet the norm, although we had a few within our group. More than three hours would pass, multiple phone calls to surrounding churches seeking assistance, and to our great surprise there was none to be found. Then at last, a few minutes before eleven, our cry for help was heeded.

Roof ... almost complete ...

Mexico itself had become quite the challenge that year with supplies delayed three days. Even so, we were still able to accomplish much. Add to that the amazing bond between Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord, and this trip … had FAR EXCEEDED our expectations! Why, now in the U.S. were "expectations" not being met?

Most were still within the church as I walked over to our trailer in order to begin the sorting out of our gear. Suddenly I heard an unfamiliar voice. Looking to my left, with no light in the immediate area, once again I noticed his silhouette, and could see that he was a single amputee. He asked, “Would anyone have a sleeping bag that I could borrow for the night”? I had barely turned my head back to our three-foot-high mound of gear, as my eyes immediately glanced upon my own familiar blue bag. Without hesitation, I reach down to pick up the nicely rolled sleeping bag and handed it to the man on crutches. He quickly added, “Thank you, I’ll bring it back in the morning”.

La Iglesia Hoy

Not so much being cynical, rather I believed that I was being a realist, as I thought, “I’m pretty sure that I have seen the last of my trusty” and I must add, “inexpensive sleeping bag.” Though I had no qualms about providing this gift to this man in need.

I am often reminded of this night; in fact, I know the exact date. Many who know me, know that my mind has an uncanny ability to recall numbers, including dates. That said, on this one I have a cheat sheet. You see, ‘MWY’, etched his initials forever into my memory ... and yes, my wallet as well :)

--- Now in my wallet for twenty years this day ---

As often is the case, I was the first to arise in the morning. Stepping outside of the gym and walking into the brisk air, I stretched my arms skyward and turned toward our vehicles. Without pause my eyes immediately glanced upon that old familiar sleeping bag. With a smile I walked toward the trailer and saw something attached to the strings. Fastened was a piece of paper, which evidently was a homework assignment from a student only weeks prior. On the back of the torn piece of paper were these words, “Thank you for the use of your sleeping bag. God bless you … MWY”

My eyes are moist as I recall the moment. This was my gift to him. I had totally accepted that. Rather, he gave me an even greater gift. A gift of a simple life. The gift that is found in the integrity of one’s words. And the gift of faithfulness!

Today, it is the ‘twentieth’ anniversary of that moment. Of that gift. ‘MWY’, are you still alive? Were you one of those “Angels Unaware” from Hebrews chapter thirteen? Your one gesture, that was supposed to be my gesture, has taught more than volumes found in a library.

I imagine that on the 40^th anniversary of this moment, that your little note, your gift, shall still be resounding loud into this heart ... and this soul of mine.

Thank you friend,

Rick

the song ‘Beautiful’ by Bart Millard of MercyMe … Though written with his four children in mind, Bart concludes that this is a song that speaks of how, “The one thing that we have in common”, is that, “We ALL desperately need Jesus”. Please know ... as MWY, you and I are BEAUTIFUL as well!

And the story behind the song .....

Two postscripts are necessary for this blog.

One, a whole other lesson was exposed a few weeks after this moment. For I would come to find out that the reason that our contact had forgotten us, was that he had been called away to a family emergency. Yes, a very excusable reason to forget this insignificant group. Yet perhaps as providence would have it, the three-hour delay into the gym provided the very moment that is etched into this mind.

Two, I find it interesting on this, the 20^th anniversary, that we are experiencing one of the world’s most global responses known to mankind. Might both, those of apparent abundance and those of apparent need, realize the gifts that we can mutually share. Those of simplicity … of integrity … and of faithfulness.


Last ... answer to the 'game card', Benjamin Franklin. MWY you're in good company sir!