What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17
Have you ever felt like your life was in a bit of a rut? A couple years ago, I found myself somewhat adrift. I had turned 40 the previous year, and the many celebrations had faded into the reality of becoming ‘old.’ I was going through the motions at work. And although I didn’t realize it at the time, my faith was in need of a ‘recharge.’
In that moment, our Family Pastor, Gary Wieder, invited me to join the parish’s annual mission trip to the Dominican Republic, in support of Sociedad Lucas and their director, Dr. Silvia Martinez. Gary invited me every year, and I always politely declined, citing a family vacation or work trip. But that year, something felt different. Never having done a mission trip, I decided to take the plunge!
Our journey took us to the outskirts of Santo Domingo, in a small area called El Cacique. I experienced a number of harsh realities on the ground: Oppressive heat. No running water. Scarce food supply. No medical care. No schools. Intermittent electricity. In the face of these challenges, Dr. Silvia and her team provide an oasis for the children of El Cacique: food, water, and healthcare for their physical needs; a school and regular classes for their education; jobs for the older children and young adults.
But most importantly – and most surprising to me – was the spiritual nourishment that I experienced. In the midst of great daily hardship, the Lord was everywhere. A garage packed with people for Sunday worship. Kids running to greet our All Saints student volunteers, embracing after a year of being apart. One of our guides, Patricio, grinning from ear to ear every day, rocking out to his favorite American music. Dr. Silvia’s husband Samuel, an accomplished professional, leading us in back-breaking work as we moved dirt, mixed cement, and laid cinder blocks to build latrines and a small house for a family in need.
This was love of neighbor that surpassed any other love. People of great faith moved to action to help one another. Here I was, on a mission trip to help a community in need, but I felt like I was surely receiving the greater gift. Looking back, I can see the Lord’s hand at work through the Holy Spirit, as my faith was renewed and strengthened.
While we can’t journey to the DR this Summer, we do have the opportunity this Sunday to visit with Dr. Silvia in our ‘Zoom Around the World’ series. I highly encourage you to join, to pray for Sociedad Lucas and the El Cacique community. You too might discern what actions God is calling you to take, to strengthen and renew your faith.
God bless you!
Tony
