Hope

Jamie is from a distant village that until recently was unreached with the gospel. The village is located on a small stream a day boat ride from Yurimaguas. Because it is so remote the people struggle and lack basic needs such as food, clean water and basic health care.

A little over a year ago a Shawi pastor friend of ours visited the village and preached the gospel. Jamie and his wife received Christ and changed their lives. They begged for the pastor to come back and tell them more about Jesus. The pastor started to visit them on a regular basis often bringing clothes or food to bless them as well as teaching them more about Christ. More believers came to Christ and last November they built a small church in which to meet. Jamie, being one of the most experienced believers in the village, was put in charge of the fledgling church. This new believer was now the pastor. His desire for God’s word grew and he began to travel to Yurimaguas every few months to attend Bible classes.

But about a month ago we received bad news. Jamie’s wife had given birth to twins out in the village and died from complications. The pastor that visits them came to Yurimaguas when he heard the news to buy fuel so he could go visit. Not knowing the situation with the babies, we sent him upriver to visit Jamie with bottles and formula as well. The pastor visited and Jamie seemed to be in good spirits. Knowing that his wife was in heaven was his consolation. He had peace that passed all understanding. But the twins were at risk. They decided to bring them back to Yurimaguas so they could be at the children’s home where they could receive regular nourishment.  Their aunt and her 2 young children came as well to help care for them.

They were in the home for a couple of weeks and all seemed well. They were taken to the doctor for check ups and were eating and growing.

Last week Jamie came to town for more Bible classes and to visit the twins. He was attending classes during the day and visiting the twins every afternoon and evening. One evening he noticed that one of the babies had diarrhea and shallow breathing. The staff sent the baby straight to the emergency room. It is common practice here to send babies with diarrhea or fever straight to the ER. We figured that they would treat the baby and send him back home. So we were surprised when we received a call around midnight that the baby wasn’t expected to make it.  Around 1:30am, the baby passed away.

The rest of the day was a blur. Jamie wanted to return home right away to bury his child. We spent the morning getting things in order. We prayed and cried. I shared with the other pastors at the Bible class what had happened and they took up an offering to help Jamie get home. Finally, I drove Jamie down to the port with a small white casket and we loaded it on a boat.  I will never forget the image of the boat pulling out of the port and Jamie turning to wave good bye with the casket by his side. He had a long journey before him to go bury his baby next to his wife.  

My heart breaks for Jamie. He returns home as a modern day Job. In the face of his trials he will be a witness to the many unbelievers in his village. But he needs strength. He needs our prayers. He has many difficult days ahead as he faces life, raising his other 9 children and leading his church without his wife. But there is good news, Jamie has hope. Knowing that someday he will see them again his hope is not in this life but what is to come.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  -Thessalonians 4:13-14