Good and Faithful Servant
If you do a google search for the year 1974, there are a few key events that the year is known for.
It was the year of the famed Rumble in the Jungle, when Mohamed Ali used his rope-a-dope technique to defeat George Foreman in the boxing ring in Zaire. It was the year President Nixon resigned and was subsequently pardoned by President Ford. The Godfather: Part II was released and received much deserved acclaim.
Each of these redefined the world they represent and have embedded themselves into pop culture. They’ll be talked about for years to come. Rightfully so.
I know of one event, though, far greater than any on the lists I’ve seen. This one event won’t have the world-wide discussion or fandom of these others. It won’t make its way into pop culture. It does, however, move into eternity.
1974 was the year Andrew Petersheim stepped foot into Guatemala as a missionary.
He took his wife and two children to live temporarily in a houseboat with another missionary family of four. He aimed to help an already established mission through his background of construction. The goal was to serve for two years and, in doing so, fulfill his promise to follow this voice from God that spoke one word to him: “Guatemala.”
Two years turned into 41. And in 2015, he finally retired and came back to live in The States.
And in the years between, there are countless lives who found God’s voice at work in him. The nation of Guatemala is forever changed because of his faithfulness. So are areas in Nicaragua, Ecuador, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Columbia and Spain.
He planted churches, built homes, served the poor and overlooked. He raised up pastors and leaders. He helped others experience completely transformed lives, just like he experienced years ago.
He did good work.
I’m biased, but I think the best impact he made was in his family. Being married to his youngest daughter, I get to see that daily.
He taught her how to be brave. He showed her what it means to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave her a deep value for all-in commitment - the kind that takes risks and is rooted in confidence.
I loved getting to witness their bond.
And then, in the years of his retirement, I got to see a connection built with his granddaughter. How they would play, and laugh, and play.
In his last year, especially in his last months and even last days, I saw the very mention of Priscilla and Noelle bring light to his eyes. Even after losing so much, simply saying their names to him brought understanding. It brought peace.
And today, I miss him dearly. I miss seeing Priscilla sit on his lap. I miss seeing him sit on the floor to play with Noelle. I miss the confidence that defined his voice.
How could a man who risked everything long ago, only to find security in God’s call have anything but eternal confidence?
That’s what happened in 1974. History books will remember so many other things that happened that year. What will be remembered into eternity is the difference that was made when one man said yes to God and how the nations were never the same.
Hanging on the wall of his house, is a painting. It shows an Amish man plowing a field, looking only ever forward. And what lies ahead is the impact of what happened in 1974. Generations and generations and generations and generations of men, women and children from Guatemala. Each face slowly emerges from a tree on that farm and builds into another and another and another, until the canvas is filled.
It’s beautiful. And so is his story.
And I am thankful.
