WACKY WEDNESDAY WISDOM: All You Need is One Good Buddy

     I missed getting to go on my annual mission trip this summer. Since 2007, I've been honored to spend a week each summer serving underprivileged folks through an organization called Mission Serve. Youth groups and their adult chaperones spend a week working in the summer heat replacing roofs for some, building wheelchair ramps for others, and repainting homes for those in need. Since 2010, I have been privileged to be the worship speaker at the nightly services throughout the week. I'm certain God has taught me more during those weeks than I have taught the participants. 

     I didn't get to go this summer. Mission Serve was canceled due to that obnoxious Corona Bologna outbreak. But fear not, I am already planning to be in Knoxville, TN for a week of Mission Serve in the summer of 2021. And I can hardly wait. 

     When I found out recently I would be headed to Knoxville, that got me to thinking about 2019 when I was the worship speaker for a week of Mission Serve in Puerto Rico. You may recall from one of my columns a year ago, things went far from smoothly the first few days. 

     There had been a number of theological, philosophical, and doctrinal differences among the church groups represented. I was quickly informed by some of those involved that my words during our first nightly service had struck many a nerve. Concerns were expressed, frustrations were vented, and battle lines were drawn. It was shaping up to be a long week. In fact, I'm pretty certain I witnessed a huddle of leaders from three of the largest groups contemplating leaving the mission project after less than 24 hours on the island. Perhaps they stayed mainly because there was no transportation back to the mainland other than their flights scheduled for six days later.

     I had tried my best to stay clear of the fray and maintain cordiality and decency to all involved, but it was difficult because as the week went on, the content of my messages/sermons was one of the main sources of friction. The tension was distracting and discouraging.

     Each night as I stood before the group of about 90 or so, I realized that, based on the number of participants from the churches who disagreed with the content of my messages, there were probably 70-75 people staring at me who didn't like me or what I was saying. 

     This had never happened to me before. I'm sure during my numerous experiences as a speaker there were occasional folks who disagreed and were annoyed by my words, but they were normally exceptions, and I typically have enjoyed the support of the crowds to which I have spoken in the past. 

     Not in Puerto Rico. I prayed and prayed some more, asking God to guide my words and get me out of the way if need be so His true message could come through. I came to truly believe the messages I had prepared in advance were what God wanted me to share, regardless of their popularity or lack thereof. The project coordinator encouraged me to continue onward and upward and not worry about the reaction. So I did. 

     Despite my determination and the support of a small number of friends, I was slightly uncomfortable as I spoke each night. Three adult leaders in particular stared holes in me as I shared the messages. I tried not to look at them but they made themselves hard to ignore. 

     However, I must say that sometimes all you need is one good buddy. It's like when you're sitting in traffic trying to merge and it seems you'll never be able to nudge your way into the moving lane. Then all of a sudden, a fellow driver waves you in and you are finally able to move forward. One good buddy is all it takes. 

     Mary Ann was my one good buddy. As I mentioned I had some other folks in attendance who supported me (including one of my sons) but I knew all them before I had come on the mission trip. I didn't know Mary Ann. Of the five churches in attendance, the largest three were from the denominations who were offended by my messages. As I said, those three churches made up a large majority of the folks in the room. 

     Mary Ann and her small church group (five total if I remember correctly) sat on the front row. I noticed Mary Ann was very much into the praise and worship music and her smile was genuine. As the week went on, I spent a lot of my time during my messages glancing at Mary Ann. She nodded, she smiled, she encouraged me. I'm not even sure she knew it but she became my one good buddy I could count on. Because of Mary Ann, I was eventually able to block out the disapproving scowls from some of the other adults and press on. 

     The Bible says in Ezekiel 22:30 that God looked among the people for one person who could stand in the gap for the people so He wouldn't have to destroy the land. But unfortunately He found no one. It serves as a challenge for each of us today to be among the ones who stand for the Lord regardless of the cost. 

     My week in Puerto Rico ended on a good note. With the exception of a small number of adults who continued to choose to keep their distance, everyone left knowing that God had performed a miracle of sorts by bringing together Christians of different beliefs and uniting them through the Holy Spirit. And I truly believe He chose a sweet, Spirit-filled, seventeen-year-old child of God to stand in the gap for me and provide me strength and encouragement. 

     After the evening service on our last night together, I gave Mary Ann a big hug. After we got our picture made together on the rooftop of the church with the mountains in the background, I shared with her what an encouragement and inspiration she had been to me. Tears came to her eyes as she admitted she had no idea the Lord was using her like He was. I assured her that God would continue to use her in many wonderful and glorious ways in the future. 

     For those of you who know someone in your life who needs you in some way, I pray you will stand in the gap for that person in whatever manner they need you to. And if you're the one who needs some help standing, I pray at least one good buddy will show up in your life to be your rock. Just like one did for me in Puerto Rico. Thanks, Mary Ann . . . and keep on smiling.