Ever since Aemilii and I got married, we've lived in the same apartment. We live in a small town called El Rodeo. It's not that far from San Jose, but it's seems very rural and feels like you're in the middle of the jungle. In front of our apartment there is a tree that in the summer produces a fruit that the birds like, including toucans. A few days ago, I paid attention to the tree, and I realized that the leaves were very brown and I had not seen birds recently. Inspecting a little, I discovered that on the branches and the trunk there were many vines of different types and they were killing the tree. So, I grabbed my machete and started cutting. Some were thin and weak and if I pulled they fell off completely. Others had thorns and I had to put on gloves. There is one that was so big that I couldn't pull it. I could only cut it and now it's time to wait for it to dry and fall off eventually. A few days later, the tree began to flower and more and more birds came. I hope to see a toucan around here soon.
Why am I telling you this story? The tree alone was not going to be able to get rid of the weeds and vines, if someone did not help it was destined to die. These last years I have felt that my life has been like this, God has been removing the vines from my life. Some easy, some with thorns that hurt and others so big that it will take time. We are very close to leaving and as some of you know, it is a whole process and we had to do several tasks: Take some courses, read some books, learn about Mongolia, form our team, enlist, sell things. But, thanks to this tree, I realize that the most important thing is that God had to prepare our hearts. I'm sure there are more vines to remove, but now I feel in a better point that 3 years ago, and I hope soon to bear fruit and may not approach Tucanes to me. But people will come…perhaps eagles.
Luke 13: 6-9
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
This weekend we presented about Mongolia in our church, and we also had information and decoration about Mongolia set up. In this way, many people were able to learn more about the characteristics and needs of Mongolia. We hope that with the people who signed up to be part of the ministry, we will complete our financial support and in the next few weeks have everything ready to leave. This week was my last week of work, so I can now dedicate myself 100% to the ministry. We have been selling some belongings and little by little the house looks emptier and emptier. In the middle of March we will go to live with my parents.
Dani
