The Macedonian Call
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:9-10
Earlier this year my wife, Barb, and I traveled to Cali, Colombia, to meet with a new ministry partner, Dr. Jaime Pineda. Dr. Pineda’s ministry is based in the town of Corinto at the foothills of the Andes, a two hour drive from Cali. I met Jaime and his wife, Patricia, one year earlier when I interviewed them in Bogotá. I was inspired by their testimony of Christian faith which was communicated by their decision to move their family from Medellin to the remote and infamous town of Corinto.
Dr. Pineda left behind a successful practice and his extended family to “live out his faith,” responding to the request to help the poor in Corinto. He realized he had become increasingly unsatisfied in his family practice, feeling that he was treating the same illnesses and having little long-term impact in the lives of his patients. He communicated a passion to make a real impact in the lives and families in the rural town of Corinto.
Corinto is in the heart of the cocaine production territory of Colombia. The intense effort to curtail drug production has led to increased tension and financial hardship for local farmers as they shift to producing a less valuable crop. Corinto has such a reputation for its dangerous drug trade that “even our pastors from Cali don’t dare visit us,” Dr. Pineda said. And Barb and I were warned by other Colombians, “that is no place for you to visit!”
The reputation Corinto has for being dangerous bothers Jaime and Patricia. It has scared some friends and colleagues from visiting and has resulted in a sense of isolation for the Pinedas. Jaime’s experience with the people of Corinto has contradicted the town’s reputation. There are many in the Corinto population who are friendly, eager to escape the drug culture and open to the Gospel. There is a team of volunteers who participate in the programs of health education and spiritual mentoring.
When Barb and I visited their ministry, Jaime and Patricia shared a Bible passage that had special meaning for them at the time of their call to Corinto. They felt, similar to that of Paul’s call to Macedonia, that they were called to go to Corinto. They did not know all the details, did not know how they would have the income to feed their family, and they did not have the resources to carry out the ministry. But they knew they were called, and God would provide.
The Apostle Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, followed the Lord’s call to Macedonia. The vision Paul received was quite simple: a plea to come to Macedonia and help. There were no details on how that would be done. God provided the details later. Paul, Silas and Timothy suffered setbacks and potentially discouraging events during their time in Macedonia. They were beaten and imprisoned. But later, as described in Thessalonians 1, the results of their mission trip to Macedonia had great impact. The newly planted church in Thessalonica became a model to the believers throughout Macedonia and even farther.
The Pinedas followed their call to Corinto move than a year before the Luke Society provided support. That year proved to be a real test of their faith. They saw God provide through neighbors in Corinto who offered meals. And they saw God provide through friends and family from Medellin who provided financial help at critical times. Jaime and Patricia believe that the Lord led the Luke Society to partner with them in His timing, and I agree it was His timing.
I have been blessed through the friendship I've developed with Jaime and Patricia. The Lord has strengthened my faith through their example of obedience to Him. My hope is that you also are blessed in your relationship to them through the Luke Society.
Wrede Vogel, MD