Subliminal Missioning

It threw me off at first when our pastor friend introduced someone as "my pastor."

But I guess pastors need pastoring, too.

And the graying gentleman carried the air of one with some authority.

He was pleased to meet us and expressed his appreciation for our work.

The woman I assume is his wife was happy to meet us, too.

I have to assume she is his wife because the pastor did not introduce her to us.

And that bothered me, maybe more than it should have.

Pentecostal and old-school Guatemalan culture might have made this normal for them.

But it ran counter to my instincts, and a message we try to share with our kids.

The pastor's wife had a knowing and joyful glint in her eyes.

But I didn't notice if it was there before I introduced Yesenia as the leader of our group.

There was also the mention of how she is the founder and president of MCU-Guatemala.

It's how I always introduce my beautiful wife, making it clear this is her operation.

Our mission kids and their mothers know her abilities and role in the community.

I think it's important that all children know a woman can run things and be the boss.

Over my lifetime, I've been blessed to walk beside many strong and independent women.

So it comes naturally for me to treat Yesenia with respect and cooperation.

But it is a new concept for too many of the families we minister to.

Yesenia and I are equal partners at home and behind the scenes.

I will always introduce her to others with the respect she deserves.

Not because she is the founder and president of our charitable organization.

But because she is my wife, my friend, my peer, and a sister of Jesus.

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Our mission's main goal is to spread God's Love through action.

Empowerment and respect for women and girls is a big part of that message.

We believe treating all as equals is vital to finding Love and Hope.

Jesus did not speak to women any differently than he spoke to men.

And I don't believe Biblical subservience is servitude.

It saddens me when I see women treated as second-class citizens or property.

There is obviously no room for abuse or disrespect.

But it's not enough to tell children those things are wrong.

We all need to show them how we love and respect each other.

It's the best way to promote Jesus and counter some of the world's negativity.