I think God knew the theme we chose to teach the children of Ecuador before we even arrived. We went to church in Riobamba our first night there, and as we worshipped in a foreign language an older gentleman kneeled on the hard floor in front of the stage holding a huge banner that read: EL SENOR ES MI PASTOR. That was our theme: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.
I don’t remember seeing many sheep last year, but this trip we saw hundreds. And we saw shepherds too! By far, our favorite shepherd was Pastor Manuel, the man who asked us not to forget his people when we returned to our country. Manuel grew up in a small town high in the Andes Mountains. There were no Christians in his village so darkness was the norm. His father was an alcoholic who often abused his family. This caused Manuel to want to leave his home as soon as possible. After marrying his childhood sweetheart Paula, Manuel found Christ in a revival meeting in another town. Perhaps we should say the Lord found Manuel… then Paula… then son Marco… then daughter Blanca. After a time of preparation in Quito, Manuel knew God wanted him to take the Gospel back to his village. When he did, the entire town came to Christ.
Three years ago the family moved to a sizable town named Cajabamba where they daily feed and teach about twenty children in an after-school program. Carrying only the Word of God, Pastor Manuel travels (mainly by foot) to seven different churches in the surrounding mountains and valleys. I’ve been to four of these villages and witnessed this humble, middle-aged man teach, encourage, correct, and love the people who have given their hearts to the Shepherd of our souls. All twenty-five American visitors agreed that our small friend with a red poncho on his shoulders and fedora on his head was an Ecuadorian representation of the Chief Shepherd.
To people who understood the weaknesses of sheep and the dangers of life, Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. He leads us beside still waters and through green pastures in the proper seasons. His rod and staff bring comfort and guidance. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear because our Pastor is with us. If an enemy attacks, our Shepherd will fight on our behalf; no one can snatch us out of his hand. He anoints us with the oil of his Spirit as He calls us by name. At one time or another we have all wandered away, but our Shepherd always goes to find the one who is lost. How wise and strong He is! How important it is to listen to his voice! We are the sheep of his pasture and we are blessed.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:14-16