Giving has never been my strong suit…
Giving has never been my strong suit (like it has been Sarah’s), especially when it has no merit, but God has been taking me somewhere I suppose. I have become a student of the unknown, one who barely weasels by at times, and one who completely bombs it more often than not, but praise the Lamb that God is one who gives freely and never runs out. One of the greatest principles that is core to God’s heart yet counter-intuitive to my brain is that in Him there is always enough.
There we were, walking up and down every street in Old Havana, looking up the walls of what seemed to be like a far-off dream. Michel (one of our ministry partners and Cuban pastors, and my now good friend) and I walked for two days, praying house by house and believing that God Himself is our provision.
At the end of the first day, I invited Michel to eat dinner with me at my favorite place the following night. He was excited and nervously asked if his wife, Keyla, could come along. I quickly learned that it was the first time they had an opportunity to be without their 5 kids in 3+ years.
We set the time for dinner and agreed that it was a date (…with me).
They came as Cubans, fashionably late, but nonetheless, we hit the speaker button outside, were allowed entry, walked up two flights of stairs, and were casually greeted while being told to sit where we pleased. After sitting for a few moments and speaking of God’s vision and our ideas, it was time to order.
Upon first glance at the menu, I saw it in their eyes–the tears were welling up and about to flow freely–this was no ordinary meal.
“We should all just get rice and beans and share” Michel said in an unsettled voice as his wife nervously agreed.
“No, absolutely not! You will eat whatever you want.”
“But Colby, these prices are…” (The lobster plate was $13.)
“It’s has been such an honor to serve with you, and it’s my pleasure to bless you–I want to.”
“We would like the lobster, but I think we all should share one plate” Michel said as Keyla eagerly agreed once more.
“No, get whatever you want–I love you two. Really, eat anything and everything you like. I will handle it all, just enjoy yourself.”
It’s not that difficult when you love someone so much is it?
Let me tell you, they felt loved and valued and ate like a king and queen that night… and we had some of the best talk as friends that I’ve had in quite a while.
This is beside the point, but I learned during dinner that these two ministers of the Gospel had only been alone without their 5 kids maybe 3 to 5 times in the last 14 years.
As a student of the unknown, the more I trust God, the more I learn His heart for His children–and He longs for us to know that there is more than enough in His house, no matter what culture you come from.
I (Colby) want to say thank you to those of you who are behind the call of the Gospel on mine and Sarah’s life and support us in all that we do. It was ultimately God, but you allowed us, through your obedience in financial giving, to bless Michel & Keyla with a special meal and time like they hadn’t had in possibly 14 years!
This goes without saying, but Michel and Keyla Gonzalez (and their 5 children) are part of your Gospel ministry. On behalf of them, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
