Pastor's Page, July 2010

“I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
- Philippians 4:13

Dear Friends in Christ,

The first time I led a group to Guatemala I went with the Board of Directors of our Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. I had been there once before when I traveled alone to study Spanish and become acquainted with the people and their country. I stayed with a family for a week, volunteered with Habitat, and purchased the purple wool material that hangs on our altar during the season of Lent. Someone found the quote above, from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, printed on a tile in Spanish and gave it to me as a thank you for organizing the trip. They are encouraging words and a reminder to me that when our hearts are in the right spot, Christ is by our side.

This month I will travel with family and friends to work on three houses. This will be my sixth trip to work with Habitat Guatemala. More importantly we will work with three families to help them build a decent, affordable home. Because Guatemala can be hot this time of year I requested that we work in the mountains. Well, they took me seriously and assigned us three families in Totonicapán where the altitude is 8,200 feet. It is an exciting topography in a country wi th 288 vol c anoe s and a population that still has it’s roots in the Mayan civilization.

Following my father’s death in 2009 my family wanted to do something in his honor. He was the one who made sure we had a roof over our heads, and he and mom made each house we lived in into a home. The idea of doing this for anothe r family createed enthusiasm. Of course, it did not go unnoticed that this would be our first family reunion where we would work together, spending two weeks together, and that it was dad who had brought us together to give to another in need. Dad would be very pleased.

For several years when we were young our father sold Lutheran Brotherhood insurance. He could make a living and share his faith and meet many wonderful people and help them care for their families. Consequently all four of us siblings, and most of our families, have this insurance, now going by the name of Thrivent. By doing this build with Thrivent we are able to receive some assistance from Thrivent for the building materials and in the end we will present the Habitat affiliate with a check for $8,000, which will come after we return to the states. So we will help not only three families, but two more. I know my dad will approve!

Most of you know that by a work related accident we lost one of our best workers this spring. Just after Easter my nephew Hans Petersen was killed while installing solar panels. This loss not only took us by surprise just after we had celebrated Easter and the joy of the Resurrection, but it has left us numb and unsettled in our grief. Hans’ contemporaries, his brother and sister and cousins will be working on these homes. In the end a house will be dedicated in Hans’ honor. I wish it could have a solar panel or something to remind us of Hans’ passion for the earth and the environment, and his efforts to bring a good quality of life to all people.

Finally, we will be humble workers, made more humble by our tasks to carry the building materials from the road to the site of the home construction. Sometimes I feel like a burro. At other times I think burros are saints in disguise. Always I think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it to me.”

And a big thank you to all of you who have shared this journey of grief and hope and healing with me. You have been more than generous by giving me money which will be shared with the Habitat affiliate for what they see as the most urgent needs of the people, especially those most impacted by the recent Hurricane, Agatha. Thank you for allowing me, and these 24 people, to be your hands and hearts in offering a hand up to a better future for these families. Thank you for expressing that you too believe we are “blessed to be a blessing.” My nephew Matthew is promising updates on our build at http://totonicapanbuild2010.blogspot.com.

While this service may be a wonderful way to honor someone you love..... I know there are other reasons to pass our love along to those in need, which brings me to a final reflection for this month.

One of the happiest brides I’ve ever known is getting married this month, Melissa Rose. That big smile of hers is glistening! And well it should be! For those of you who have met her betrothed, Greg Albert, it is such a joy to see his smile “glisten” right back at her. I’ve been writing in this Happenings about how my family is honoring my father and my nephew, so you can only imagine how pleased I was to learn how Greg and Melissa are honoring each other. It’s a rare couple who already understand that they are blessed to be a blessing, remembering those words that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12, Yes, they are registered like most couples, but their invitation also has these words: “Greg and Melissa feel so blessed with such strong support and would love their wedding to be an opportunity to help those less fortunate. Consider making a donation to World Vision or International Justice Mission, in their name, as a special wedding gift." http://www.GMAWedding.blogspot.com When I read these word I thought of how Jesus had blessed the lunch of the young boy with the loaves and fishes. They were multiplied and everyone was full! Thank you Greg and Melissa for your faith and witness and compassion. We are excited for you and pray that your love continues to multiply, gifting others with your generous spirits, and enriching our world with the grace of God! Keep smiling! Blessed to overflowing,

Blessed to overflowing,
Pastor Gary

Pastor Gary Petersen's biography