The second word we studied with Amigos for Christ over Thanksgiving break was ‘learn.’
“How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked a father whose son was tormented by a demon. Often the Holy Spirit gave Jesus supernatural insight into situations, but Jesus did not mind asking questions. We learn by asking, by listening, by studying, and by observing.
Early in our week we learned about the village of La Chuscada from a man who lived there. Sebastian grew up in La Chuscada and had to drop out of school after completing the second grade. This was typical in poor villages because parents needed children to haul water and help with chores.
In November of 2013, La Chuscada completed a year’s work to bring running water to each home in the village. Our challenge this year was to build a school. Sebastian shared, “We want our children to have opportunities we never had. We want our children to get a good education. Now they just have a few desks that are set up under the trees. We want them to have a building! Thank you for coming to help us.”
Sebastian and the other members of his village were not asking for handouts. They were simply partnering with followers of Christ who were making Jesus visible in practical ways. I didn’t see anyone work harder than Sebastian.
Learning is important in every area. If you have a Muslim friend or have a desire for Muslims to know Jesus, learn about Islam. If you have a friend with cancer and want to encourage and pray with understanding, learn about the type of cancer. If you have a heart for the homeless and want to find ways to help people get off the street, develop a friendship with someone who can help you learn the various challenges of homelessness.
And if you want to know God, Jesus says, “Come and learn from Me.”
“All things have been committed to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30