A Package came in the Mail

A package was in our mailbox on Tuesday! It was hand-addressed to both of us. I love any mail that I can actually hold. Such a nice surprise in our instant, electronic world. The return address made us question our memories and come up short. We didn't know the sender, the street, or the city, from where the white package came. No idea.

Like when we first landed in Brasil and introduced ourselves to the heat, and wet air, pressing upon us. Droplets appearing on our hands as we drank our bottled water. We didn't know the names, the streets, or that Sao Lourenco do Sul would hold such wonderful gifts as we came to love the people there.

It humbled me to go into small cement homes bereft of material 'stuff' and see the cherished 3" by 5" photographs of 'their' missionaries displayed in the center of mostly bare walls. We witnessed those photos again and again in many homes, as we kissed new friends on the right cheek, then left, then right, and introduced ourselves with Stan's Portuguese and our smiles. Would I ever be able to speak their words? It was all, much bigger than I, and I knelt in great need. I wanted to be a real missionary, like Stan...like those faded faces in the curled photograhs tacked to their walls.

There was a couple that listened to our message with eagerness, pulling together pieces of a puzzle that they had worked on for many years. They knew the Bible forward and back and could not find exactly what to do with the questions that they had. Christ's original church has been restored to the earth! We sat lightly on small folding chairs and they sat wide eyed on a sway back bed in their everything room. They have nothing really, except... everything that mattered. He fished, she cleaned, nothing steady...whatever they could, to have food for the day. They have two girls, a hunger for truth, and one family bike... (that the four of them rode together, wherever they needed to go...)

So we took the package from our mailbox and drove into our circle drive. We pushed the button to open our garage door and turned off the button that warms the leather seats in our car.

We ripped open the package and took out a small plastic trophy, the Portuguese telling that it had been won in a poetry contest. We read a small note that came from a missionary couple that brought this little treasure back to the United States for us. They have just returned from Sao Lourenco do Sul.

'Dear Brother and Sister Benedict, We are sending you an award that Paulo Cesar received for best poetry in a contest in Sao Lourenco. Paulo wanted us to...pass it on to you to keep. It was heartwarming and very poignant to receive this award which is the most valuable material possession that he had to give away.' He wants you to have it.

We stare at the trophy through our tears and wonder how best to clear out the material 'stuff' in our lives...so Paulo's gift remains permanently attached to the walls of our home and hearts.

Matthew 6: 19,20,21