This may be the most difficult blog I’ve had to write.
When I decided to be a missionary to Matamoros, Mexico, I agreed to a lot of things. I agreed to give up a lot of privileges. I agreed to living life according to promptings from God, and to approach everything prayerfully. I expected adventures around every corner. I have not received anything less than that so far. God has blessed me and the group I am in most definitely.
Unfortunately, there are things for which a missionary doesn’t normally prepare him/herself. Like when his/her leader stumbles.
Our team found out this Tuesday that, a few Saturdays ago, our Pastor, Bob, had committed a “moral failure,” I should probably call it, with respect to his privacy (this is an editing of an earlier post which I hope no one read). He is, regretfully, no longer our leader.
I’m still processing what happened, and none of us know all the details, to tell you the truth. Bob is a very dependable person and has always taken great care of all of us. He’s been a great teacher, and he built his church and his ministry brick by brick, step by step. He’s put all he’s had into his family, the colonia, the FYM students, the program, the church, and the hearts of the people here. When you mention Bob Waag in our area of Matamoros or Castillo del Rey, everyone smiles. His good reputation is known all over Matamoros.
Someone once said, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” That may be a rather terse and insensitive way to describe this situation, but I believe no one is immune to sin, nor is above anyone else in their “sin” status. We are all equal to that effect, regardless of the way that sin is viewed in human eyes. This is a reminder for all of us to keep our guard up. We may think ourselves invincible, but the enemy loves to catch us when we don’t expect it.
It’s also a reality check: who do we trust? Granted, we shouldn’t go around trusting no one, but God is our ultimate trustworthy, right-hand man. He will NEVER fail us, though he puts us through times where we will yell, “God, why?” God brings out awesome opportunities to grow and make a 180 when you least expect it.
Forgiveness will be hard to live out, but I have the need to forgive our pastor (Jesus wants that from us). We are all indirectly affected by his actions, as are many people outside the program. But rather than close ourselves up and remain cynical (my knee-jerk reaction, typically), we need to realize that everyone has failures. God also sees out justice for the wronged, although we may not see it realized immediately.
Finally, I believe this is not the kiss-of-death for our mission. Right now we are all at the Gateway of AIM in Matamoros, and we’ll be working with a construction project this week as was previously planned. I might make additional plans in Matamoros after May as well.
Either way, I am confident of this: God has the habit of never locking all windows and doors in the house at once. His work shall continue.
Please pray for our team, Bob and his family, the Mexican missionaries that have had to relocate, the colonia, and our leaders.
Thank you for your continued support. God bless you all.
I question what kind of moral failure, given this man is human and is not immune to sin, could take him out of what you seem to describe as a very purposeful position in the church…? I hope blessings come upon him as he moves forward and past this sin… and for you guys there in Mexico.
hey i am going on the fym trip next fall to swaziland and just reading some of the blogs. I admire what you are doing by the way. I am actually goin thru the same thing. the man which i considered my father and mentor messed up real bad morally, im guessing the same thing that happened w ur leader. Its been a hard past year and at times very discouraging and confusing because i find out more and more about it all the time and he is now in a mental institute. But please remeber he is a human, not God. You are not who he is and do not have to make the same mistakes and God has a total different plan for you which it looks like you are following. Just please dont doubt christianity or leadership for the rest of your life. God is your rock, just make sure you live for him. I hate that this stuff happens but we make our own decisions and we can learn from trials like these not to do the same thing when we are faced with temptation. email me if you have any questions or whatever, id love to help! May God light your path!
If your leader stumbles now or you or any body else in your group, it is not for you to call the attention of this mater, you mention that he has being a great leader and very dependable person, let me ask you this question. What have you done to help him with his problem or weakness?, What have you learn from him?, Being a Christian doesn’t mean that we are perfect, means that we want or we are seeking for perfection you are doing great so is Bob, Why he is not longer your leader I don’t understand?, If you are who you said you are you will love him and more important support him now when he need you more than ever, good leaders are not found around every corner you know, we all have good and bad moments in our lives, or ups and downs, the way i see it is that this Problem that Bob has is not only a test for him, but a test for all around him, please do not fail this test or any body else in your group. Remember what happen to Jesus, they said that he did something wrong and they kill him, now is Bob’s turn don’t do the same to him, meaning i know you won’t kill him but you are judging him, the bible is full of stories about forgiveness,love and compassion please don’t focus on his mistakes focus on your love for him and others is one of the commandments as you know. That’s all, be well and God bless you all.
Sincerely, Carlos.