This past Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, uniting them in God’s love, and inspiring them to continue to live out the message of Jesus Christ. As I sat there listening to the Gospel I was able to picture the apostles. At first they seem confused on how to continue living out Jesus’ message of love. However, upon receiving the Holy Spirit, their confusion
subsides, and they are transformed into people of hope and given the strength to go out and preach His message.
Do you remember those emotions that came as you were returning home after your year of service? It may have been an emotional departure, as you had to say goodbye to the people and the place you grew to love. Many of us may have been confused as to what comes next, or wondering how to honor the experience and keep it alive. Much like the Pentecostal transformation of the apostles, we too, returned to our homes confused, and afraid, seemingly unaware of how or when God might infuse us with the same strength and hope the Holy Spirit laid upon the disciples.
What is remarkable about Pentecost, is that the Holy Spirit did not descend upon the apostles one at a time, in solitude, but together, and as a community of believers. As alumni, we form our own very unique and extraordinary community of believers. We have, together, witnessed the gospel through our experience in Ecuador. We have fallen in love with the people we walked with, and have had our hearts broken by the deprivation that surrounds many of them. We have together learned how to live
simply, receive hospitality, become people of service, and together we have learned how to search for the face of Christ in those we are with.
Cor 1:12 tell us, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body”. We are many parts, for certain. Separated by the different years we volunteered, separated geographically, and by the different fields we have entered. Yet we are one body. One body which seeks God, and hungers for justice.
Let us not forget the body of which we form. May we continue to challenge and inspire one another. And in those moments of asking ourselves what our experience in Ecuador meant for us, and how we can live out what we learned through it. Let us pray that we trust in God’s answer to us that “I will show you the most excellent way.” (Cor. 1:31)
Connect with other alumni in your area. And pray for the new volunteers who are preparing to depart for Ecuador. Also, let us pray for the current volunteers, who will soon be entering into our alumni community.
subsides, and they are transformed into people of hope and given the strength to go out and preach His message.
Do you remember those emotions that came as you were returning home after your year of service? It may have been an emotional departure, as you had to say goodbye to the people and the place you grew to love. Many of us may have been confused as to what comes next, or wondering how to honor the experience and keep it alive. Much like the Pentecostal transformation of the apostles, we too, returned to our homes confused, and afraid, seemingly unaware of how or when God might infuse us with the same strength and hope the Holy Spirit laid upon the disciples.
What is remarkable about Pentecost, is that the Holy Spirit did not descend upon the apostles one at a time, in solitude, but together, and as a community of believers. As alumni, we form our own very unique and extraordinary community of believers. We have, together, witnessed the gospel through our experience in Ecuador. We have fallen in love with the people we walked with, and have had our hearts broken by the deprivation that surrounds many of them. We have together learned how to live
simply, receive hospitality, become people of service, and together we have learned how to search for the face of Christ in those we are with.
Cor 1:12 tell us, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body”. We are many parts, for certain. Separated by the different years we volunteered, separated geographically, and by the different fields we have entered. Yet we are one body. One body which seeks God, and hungers for justice.
Let us not forget the body of which we form. May we continue to challenge and inspire one another. And in those moments of asking ourselves what our experience in Ecuador meant for us, and how we can live out what we learned through it. Let us pray that we trust in God’s answer to us that “I will show you the most excellent way.” (Cor. 1:31)
Connect with other alumni in your area. And pray for the new volunteers who are preparing to depart for Ecuador. Also, let us pray for the current volunteers, who will soon be entering into our alumni community.
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