It didn't take too long for them to accept a change...thanks to Mom's Banana Bread! When preparing for this trip, I baked a bunch of this specialty to share with them, for "old times' sake".. I thought I had made more than enough, but even the crumbs disappeared. This was at the end of the service (see picture).
There I go, starting at the end again! Sorry...back to where I left off last time.
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During the service, I read them a letter from my brother Paul. He spoke of changes that had been happening over the years. For example, many of them have cell phones now, ride in cars, and make their houses out of cement blocks instead of wood from the jungle. He told of a Tsachi to whom Mom had served tuna, who told her that he didn't know how to eat that food....but now they all use canned tuna.
They had weathered changes, made adaptations, and come out on top, often by uniting and supporting each other. Paul urged them to continue with this same attitude in facing future changes, and wished them God's deepest blessings as they go on.
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I thought of another change. Almost 60 years ago, the witch-doctor who led the area where we lived was adamant that no Tsáchila were to learn to read, because then they would become like the "white man" (not a positive thing, to them). Over time, he understood that reading could only help them. They could avoid being misled by the white man, who would take advantage of the fact that they couldn't read title deeds or contracts, etc., and end up cheating them. (Later, reading God's Word would be essential.)
I mentioned to them that Mom and Dad always hoped the Tsáchila would keep their native dress, and, even more importantly, their native language. They mustn't lose this integral part of their unique identity. It would be tragic to find over time that no one spoke Tsáfiqui (the true language) anymore.
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Changes are inevitable. For us...for them. Some people want nothing to change. Like the Sanhedrin who bribed false witnesses to accuse Stephen: "For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:14) For some, the thought of change brings fear and uncertainty. We can't always control what we aren't familiar with. Or maybe it would make us take too close a look at things in us we'd rather not address.
The one Great Change that no human being can afford to disregard is that of the inner man...the soul...the spirit: from lost sinner to saved sinner. A change only made possible by the Grace of God. He can help us meet all other changes, and know which ones are profitable, and which ones are not.
God is the only reliable standard by which changes (and anything else) can be measured. And it is reliable because He never changes!
Malachi 3:6: "For I am the Lord, I change not." Awesome!
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(Check in soon for the next part.)
Again, an excellent post!
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