NEBAJ — Where were those Bible verses when I needed them? Not in my head, nor my heart, unfortunately.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing,” James 1:2-4.
“You ... joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven,” Hebrews 10:34.
Where was patience 10 days ago? Grace? Love?
Not at hand, I’m sorry to say. Justice was more on my mind at the time.
It’s a wonder, this Easter season, to consider God’s love for the world, how Christ died for sinners — people in active, perverse rebellion against Him —, how Jesus humbly accepted His Father’s will and obeyed, suffering crucifixion and death at the hands of worthless people ... on their behalf! On my behalf! To bring them and me to God.
Where was love or joy that Saturday morning? It remains on display on the cross in the flesh of the Savior, where my eyes should have been (Heb. 12:1-11).
It was the same day I decided to extend my three-day stay in Nebaj — I was enjoying it there, and saw more opportunities for work — that I wandered into the town market ... only to be dispossessed of my wallet and debit card.
When this happened five years ago, I remember thinking, “Where was God?” The answ
er troubled me: He was watching it all.
And yet, in the midst of this world’s (and my) perversity and rebellion, God broke through to show everyone the grandeur of His grace and mercy.
“ ‘Comfort, yes, comfort my people!’ says your God. ‘Speak comfort to Jerusalem and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins’.” Isaiah 40:1,2.
Double. Wow. Double payment. That’s a hefty price. It leaves no doubt.
Wouldn’t you know, it was my passion for mangos that got me into trouble. You'll find mangos in the town's market.
Guatemala’s markets, with
all their color and life, are nearly irresistible. Farmers bring their produce and live poultry for sale. Others sell pirated CDs, pots and pans, clothing, shoes, snacks, stereos, farming tools, hardware, and more. At one point, I saw girl carrying a small, squealing, struggling pig to market — a rope tied around it in case it jumped from her arms.
Near one end of the market (which completely fills city streets), I spotted a nice basket of delicious-looking mangos. I bought three for about 65 cents.
As I left and began to walk back to where Viña’s sound technicians were recording the New Testament in the Ixil language, I realized I hadn’t bought enough for them. So I went back.
Just as I finished buying more mangos, the crowd got very dense. People were pushing and shoving, and I was being driven back almost falling on the mangos. For a split second, I thought about turning and trying to jump over the mangos. I was surprised at how much people were shoving, and looked to one side. I glanced a smiling, teen-aged boy leaning and pushing people toward me. That should have been my first clue. I raised my hands and pushed against the gal next to me to keep from falling on the mangos.
Then, just as quickly as it happened, the crowd dissipated. I reached for my wallet. It was gone. Not again! I’m three for three here: three visits; three picked pockets (one I got back with the crowd’s help). I turned around and saw the mango merchant almost rolling in laughter. I grabbed his arm. “Who was it?” I asked. “Oh,” he said. “There are a lot of people. I couldn’t see anything.”
Right. Muchas gracias.
Some people seemed indicate the thief fled in one particular direction, but I couldn’t see anything but crowds of people. There 
was no point in running after all of them, when no one stood out as I do here (height differential: often one to two feet).
I walked away. Almost on cue, an old Ixil woman appeared. The day before she had led me on a fruitless trip to buy Mayan textiles. “Come, come,” she said. “Today, you can buy local textiles.” In very plain Spanish, I told her I had been robbed and did not have money to buy anything.
As I turned onto a side street, the thin, plastic bag holding my mangos ripped. The mangos went rolling everywhere. I didn’t care for mangos right then and I let them roll. Judas threw away his 30 pieces of silver. Had I betrayed my Lord?
Later, I was talking with a local pastor. He said petty theft is not uncommon. Two years ago in the market, they stole his wallet, which had nearly $100 in it.
Grabbing the mango merchant’s arm probably wasn’t the most gracious thing to do. Neither did my next action qualify as gracious, but at the time, asking the police come with me and question the mango merchant seemed like the right thing to do.
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand,” Philippians 4:5. “Repay no one evil for evil. ... Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink.’ ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:17,19-21.
Consider it all joy, brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials. God is at work. Jesus Christ will be exalted.
I'd appreciate your prayers for grace to see people here as God sees them, not to walk in fear. Jesus had compassion on the crowds despite their demands and their disbelief, knowing they would kill Him. May He be glorified in Guatemala. May His peace be on this land. May he forgive the thieves and have mercy on them and the mango merchant ... as Jesus has shown mercy to me. May His body — the church — grow in grace and good works.
I heard a talk today that I found helpful, encouraging me not to fuss over myself in introspection but to look outward in love toward others. It was given at the 2007 Sovereign Grace Ministries conference. Perhaps you would find it helpful as well. You can download it for free.
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