The last Sunday morning of October is election day here in Uruguay. As election day approaches each party shows their presence in cities throughout the country through political rallies. It is not uncommon to see people walking with flags representing their preferred party. Party banners blanket yards, cover trees and stretch over city streets. Empty houses, or shops are rented and painted to be used for party headquarters. (NOTE: I do not endorse, nor represent, any party mentioned or pictured in this blog.)
Caravans are another very visual and vocal way of gathering support and gaining the vote. More than once we have seen cars, with vans and buses interspersed, in long lines on the side of the road the aforementioned flags hanging out the windows. One time I realized, almost too late, that I was going to get caught up in one of these caravans and was able to find a side street to turn off avoiding any association.
The location of the church here, on the main road of the El General barrio, lends itself to a lot of noise at times. It's not uncommon to hear horns honking during church services typically it is a celebration of the latest favored futbol team's win. Usually the caravan is fairly short and not too much of a disturbance to the services.
Last night was a different story all together.
Brandon and I both help in Kings Kids on Wednesday nights. We had just finished with game time outside and the kids were getting settled in for the lesson time when we heard a lot of honking. Curiosity got the best of me, and Brandon. Since the same thing had happened during youth meeting this past Saturday we decided to take a look and see what was being celebrated.
What our eyes met was shocking and alarming!
There before us, mere yards away, flying high from the back of a flat bed truck was a gigantic communist flag. Other flags representing Che Guevara, the Frente Amplio party, and their presidential candidate Jose Mujica; all were nearly as big as the communist flag which clearly took center stage. I have never before seen a communist flag in person.
Chills ran down my spine as I stood there in stunned silence. I fought back the tears as I realized that for most of the people packed into those caravan vehicles humanism had become their god. Having their physical needs met is more important than having their spiritual needs met. And while seeking Utopia on earth they forfeit an eternity of residing in Heaven with the Lord.
That 4.7 km long caravan was a visual representation of souls here in Colonia who likely are completely closed off to the Gospel. I was alarmed as I recalled the whispered words that if this candidate wins we may likely see the end of missions here in Uruguay. I wondered if the churches here are strong enough, independent enough, and indigenous enough to survive without the missionaries? And what of the persecution that could very possibly follow?
As the last vehicle in the caravan passed, complete with all the aforementioned flags, I couldn't help but to imagine this same scene playing out in front of our sending church...on the streets of America. I felt compelled to tell Brandon to burn an image of what he was seeing into his mind and remind him that his voice, our voice, is important!
Writing this blog and thinking back upon last night I am reminded by God that the Gospel makes a difference! Jesus Christ saves! And HE is the hope we share with Uruguayans! May we be diligent and faithful to share the Gospel today, for we may not have tomorrow. James 4:14.
