I am Going to Washington D.C. Yahoooo!!

 

 

Dear Friends,

I am so excited today because I have been invited to go to the anniversary of the McLean Presbyterian Church “my church”, from the 8th to the 12th of February. This Church is the only Church I have known as “my church.”

When I was yet in the world as a professional “sinner” they prayed for me and when I came to faith in Jesus they invited me just like today for a visit. For the first time I spoke as a brand new believer with the help of an interpreter in the house of Steve and Sandy Smallman, “My friends”, in 1972.

Amazingly all I can think of what to do and what to say next weekend at McLean is just to stand up one more time with Steve and Sandy Smallman holding my hands as Dr. Frankenstein is holding the hands of the monster he created. (Like the comic strip which represents me so well).

 

 

Some will bring Gold as gifts to Jesus at MPC, some others will bring what is precious to them like the alabaster full of Myrrh. I do not know what Steve and Sandy Smallman will bring, but I wish it was me by the hand.
Whether they are proud or embarrassed of me I consider my self as their “monster.” I am proud to belong to them as a GI (Soldier) belongs to the government.

It was Steve who said in the World Presbyterian Missions News Letter in 1972 the following statement: “If this is what missions is all about, we want to get involved in missions.” The secret of the greatness of MPC is that a Pastor like Steve and Sandy Smallman were never of a boundary set mentality eager to control inside their man made walls; but rather a Center set mentality where Jesus is preeminent and missions foreign and domestic are the vision that has not allow life to perish to this day as to the common good of the body at MPC.

Yes, “The end depends from the beginning.” “A good beginning is still half done.” Foundations are not as visible as walls and roofs, but though they are not visible we all would agree that foundations are just as important or more so than walls and roofs when rains and storms hit.

Throughout life rains, winds and storms come and circumstances change in the landscape of our lives. But the one thing that it does not change and cannot change is relationship, because relationship is based in birth and re-birth and what we become will never change by behavior. Once children of God, then children of God forever and brothers and sisters by his will.

Communion and fellowship might temporarily make us radioactive one to the other, but he who touched the leper and associated with sinners has set an example for us to follow. We have no excuse but to resume fellowship and communion and enter like rich uncle McDuck along with Donald Duck and nephews including Daisy into the Household of the treasures to count our blessings and the wealth we have accumulated in the last many years united with Jesus.

I will be with you, my friends, next week at McLean perhaps as an eye sore to some but it will be my honor to be counted one among you. If I am a monster, I am your monster. My only testimony to you is that Jesus has accepted me and that I know.

I am a wounded soldier in search of healing and a new opportunity to serve our Lord Jesus. I still believe with all my hearts that my best years of productivity are ahead and not behind for which my past was but only a preamble. I have a tale to tell, help me to deliver my message. “He who has ears to hear, let them carefully hear.”

Your “Frankincense”

Gerry Gutierrez.