At the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, several soldiers joined Ruthie and me on the flight to Washington D.C. They seemed to be happy to be back home from their tour of duty in Iraq. Right before take-off, the flight attendant added to her standard words of welcome and safety instruction…“a special welcome to our soldiers”; and a loud and long round of applause was heard inside the plane.

For a moment everyone in the plane felt united, happy and somehow proud and satisfied. After all, we were all American citizens, and citizenship is the willingness to share a common destiny. So we had a common union for a moment. It was a pleasure to let the soldiers break the line at security check points and for us to share a 'high five' or “thumbs up” with them.

At the gate some of them volunteered to tell their stories to young children who would ask questions and stare wide-eyed as they heard the answers. But the real audience was the adults, who were not to free to ask the questions, nevertheless equally curious to hear every word from the soldiers.

Later in the month at a Missions Conference in a large church, while many of us missionaries were organizing our display tables in a “show-and-tell” fashion, we noticed on a wall in a hallway of the church some pictures of a soldier and of his decorations, awards and commendations that were so impressively arranged that it made our heads turn in admiration of the young man.

To our surprise, the pastor introduced that soldier during the worship service. He was in the congregation in parade uniform, and again everyone recognized him with a long and loud applause. Here too, there was a sense of oneness; relief and pride to have one of the members of our church that represented us in a war but was now safely back home worshiping with us.

It went unsaid that our Lord had in His faithfulness protected him from harm. The young soldier stood satisfied and looked around him, drinking in the unexpected show of gratitude. He was probably thinking to himself, 'It was worth it!'

There is nothing like the sound of gratitude, especially in an ungrateful world. I still remember the words of a missionary friend 30 years ago, (whom by God’s grace and help I rescued from certain death as he was drowning in the rapids of the head-waters of the Amazon River). He said, 'Thank you Gerry, for saving my life.'

Well…I was brand new in the faith, and I was aware that I almost lost my life trying to save him. Some how those words sounded sweet and brought satisfaction that money cannot buy. These words fed me for long time as an un-erasable memory. “It was worth it.”

Now as per our present occupation, Ruthie and I are soldiers of the Lord. We take being wounded in the flesh and spirit as part of our job description. Our sweat, tears and blood are there to be spent…and our lives to be consumed as 'poured out wine and broken bread” for the elect whom God loves so much. “We work for the smile of God, and with that we have more than we can possibly expect or ever deserve. His smile is our goal…to contemplate His beauty is our reward. I have no other desire but to be counted in the number of the redeemed, and when the 'role is called up yonder'…to answer to my name.

A few weeks ago as we approached the Miami airport, feeling lousy with colds… coughing, tired, thirsty and sleepy, we were not even aware of our own need of encouragement but were thinking on how we would encourage the saints that have supported us for years. And all of a sudden, there it was as I looked through the window while we were still about 1500 feet up. Yes, there it was… gorgeously beautiful and sharp, as I remember, bigger than any man-made thing. I said to Ruthie, 'Look, Honey, the Lord is welcoming us to Miami.' The plane seemed to go right through the middle of this incredibly beautiful rainbow. It could be the very same one that Noah saw (smile). I bet nobody else read what was hanging on that rainbow… 'My boy is coming to Miami!!! Welcome to Miami, my son.'

From that moment on, the 35 times I spoke during the next few weeks in the many meetings and the dozens of beds and homes where we stayed were all part of divine appointments. We were led by His hand as a child is led by his father. I made many new friends and deepened my relationship with my beloved old friends. Ruthie and I have come closer to each other and to the Lord.

Early this morning we arrived back to the Andes Mountains, and by the time I write this, I have greeted and hugged over 100 people. I’ve spent the afternoon reading 35 letters from young people from the conferences in the U.S. telling me (for example), 'Thank you, Mr. G., for telling me that the only way to know God is through Jesus. That is cool.' K.F. (sixth grader). 'Mr. G., thank you for serving God and telling people about Jesus. I want to be like you.' W.T.

If the U.S. soldiers were applauded by hundreds in an airplane and churches; we have been applauded in the hearts of the elect which by far is more reward than we had been expecting.

We have heard words of introduction of ourselves which human ears should not be allowed to hear on this side of heaven. We have been honored with gifts and recognition that should be saved for our obituaries, or for the ears of our children from the mouth of kind friends. We have been surprised with kindness undreamed of and unexpected.

'We pray for those who have so honored us that the Lord might forgive them for their excessive kindness…and may the Lord forgive us for enjoying it a little too much.' Such honor was a complete surprise and has helped me to know myself a bit more.

Your love for us is welcome and makes the love of God ever so much more real. But know that we are together with you in desiring His reward above all, and may the Lord keep us from settling for anything less. Thank you for recognizing Jesus in our lives. Thank you for letting us see Jesus in you. Thank you for seeking to encourage us. Thank you; because we have been encouraged. Yes all these things were but divine appointments.

Now back to work to make Jesus audible and visible to our generation. In his loving hands. Please pray that we may stay focus on the Lord Jesus and live to lift his name along.

Gerry and Ruthie Gutierrez