2019 was an economically difficult year, just like the last ones in our country, perhaps a little less difficult than the previous ones, since between 2015 and 2017 are considered the worst years of the economic crisis in our country, however, we were still surviving thanks to the mercy of our Lord in addition, our family was still growing and my wife and I were still struggling to keep the family together before a migratory wave that continued to grow and a cumulus of needs that tempted me as a father of a family to follow this migratory current before the threat of hunger and misery that loomed over the family.
In the midst of this discouraging context our faith became stronger and communication with my counselor resumed, becoming a beacon of light in these dark days of great uncertainty; it was an incipient but very rewarding “relationship” because despite the nature of this “relationship” I began to feel the familiar warmth that came from dealing with a person who despite the distance, cultural differences and the means of communication expressed himself with great familiarity towards someone I did not know personally nor had any kinship with this servant.
The month of November was already over half of its days and approaching its end, as well as the end of this year that preceded a 2020 that would come loaded with a nasty surprise called Covid-19, so it was in the middle of this month that we resumed our conversation that would also extend for several years.
Advisor: "Now back, before calling it a day, I want to let you know I appreciate you following up with the friend request. Gladly accepted!"
Advisor: "How is your little one? The last time we had any real dialog, you were expecting your baby's arrival at any time. I do not know the outcome, but would be very interested to hear about your latest blessing from our Lord."
In fact, our youngest son, the last one the Lord allowed us to have and who came after 10 years that my wife had not conceived, had been born a month earlier on October 11th to be more specific, is now about to turn six (06) years old, for which we live in gratitude as he has been a very healthy child and is growing very well; remembering a family matter like this gives you an idea that you are dealing with someone who pays close attention to detail a remarkable quality and one that I admire very much in my counselor.
This particular interest in the family was cementing a “close relationship”, not geographically, but it opened the way for bonds of affection that later became strong, originating on this side a deep feeling of respect and admiration that prevail to this day.
Me: Friend, thank you for your kindness, for your interest in my family. My little one is very well, he is just over a month old but he has become a great blessing, his name is Genderson Jeremias, my wife and other children are fine, now we are 6 in the family, my oldest daughter is 16 And this year I will go to college. The Lord has blessed me with a stable and very solid family, despite the economic limitations of the crisis in my country we are very happy. I am pastor of a small Church with approximately 60 members. God bless you and thank you very much for your support at the time of the baby's arrival.
My answer was as familiar and close as possible, trying to leave for granted my identity, what defines me the most, what people know me best and identify me by in my environment, my faith, my relationship with the Lord and the area of service to which He called me several years ago, ten (10) to be specific.
If our identity is based on a set of traits that distinguish us and make us different, either as individuals or group of individuals, I must say that I identify myself as a child of God, servant of Christ and passionate about serving the Lord and our community of faith, many times I have testified and mentioned that I do not see myself doing something different, what I want to do until the day I am called to his presence is to serve in his work and serve people.
This characteristic gave us an important point of “coincidence” between so much cultural difference, the way we were both “Wired” and the insurmountable geographical separation due to the countries where the Lord allowed us to be born and grow.
It was from this identity of faith, in my opinion, that this “relationship” was anchored to prevail until now. What followed in the next few days was an exchange in relation to our common faith, as well as an exchange of family related messages, and so we moved towards an increasingly “closer” “relationship”.
To this day, I identify myself as a man of faith, rooted in the principles set forth in scripture, and increasingly convinced that surrendering to the Lord and His will is the only and best alternative for man in this decadent world.
From him (my advisor) I learned not to take matters of faith lightly, that we cannot do anything without consulting the Lord, and most importantly to wait for his answer on any matter we consult, without rushing to take action before knowing his will on the matter.
This was a day with my advisor, I hope to meet you very soon in the next installment of this series.
