I learned how important it is to listen to people’s stories, especially when they have endured hardship and a different life circumstance then yourself. The Leaders of Iglesia Comunidad De Dios, are strong and spirit filled people of God, and it is necessary that we respect them by listening to them, and giving them our full attention. There is so much wisdom and character we can see by asking questions and intentional with our conversations with them. It reminded me of the verse In Romans 5:3-5, how suffering produces character and character produces hope – this is what we witness in the community members in Morristown. They have character because of the hard circumstances that they have endured with the Lord. They relied on the Lord’s strength and it has given them exemplary character that is inspiring and holds wisdom.
All of us interns got the opportunity to hear exhortations given by the Lead pastors in la Iglesia, which they shared so much wisdom and strength they had found through enduring with the Lord. I think the later half of the verse shined through Pastora Zenaida’s exhortation she shared with us, her endurance to believe that God word to her that he would make Morristown a great light for the nations has given her family and us so much hope for what God is doing there in Morristown. Although, she had found hardship or suffering in her life she did what Romans 5:3 says and endured which produced Godly character that has given people in her community hope for God is doing. I am so very excited to be a part of what God is doing in Morristown but I know that that will only happen by listening to wisdom and respecting the leadership.