Pedro's Son, Asael, New Bible School Student
November 03, 2009
Offering My Son on the Altar
At an evening rally during the Leadership Seminars we did this past October 2009, I was astounded by a testimony shared by our South District Superintendant, Rev. Pedro Sosa. I don't know if it was the amazing story of physical healing, or the humbling example of true faith and sacrifice that affected me more. Pedro and his wife have three children and have been in the ministry in Mexico for about 25 years.
Because of the economic conditions in Mexico, and the fact that there is no realistic retirement system, most parents count on their children to get good jobs and support them in their old age. Rather than contribute to a retirement plan, most parents sacrifice nearly everything they have to make sure their kids at least graduate from "jr. high school" with some kind of trade degree. This is especially important now that most couples in Mexico are having only two or three children, instead of the 10 or 15 their parents had. If even one child can go on to become a professional, so much the better.
Pedro was especially fortunate that his oldest daughter and middle son had the aptitude and plans to seek professional careers (the youngest daughter was still too young to decide, but also showed promise). Yet, seven years ago in response to a special call for more Wesleyan pastors during a Mexico church assembly, Pedro and his wife had written down the names of all three of their children and placed them on the altar. They were declaring their willingness to let their children be called into the ministry (and surely into near poverty like themselves), despite the economic environment where many Christian parents and even pastors actively discouraged their children from considering the ministry. After all, their well-being in retirement was at stake! Pedro and his wife decided they wouldn't push their kids into ministry, but neither would they discourage them.
Two years ago (while we were on Home Ministries and unaware of their situation), Pedro's son, Asael, became gravely ill. He was 19 years old at the time, and studying part-time for a professional career. The local clinic did tests and said it was his gall bladder, and that it would probably burst within two weeks if it wasn't surgically removed. Asael could die if that happened.
Pedro didn't have enough money for the surgery, but they began to pray. Pedro told his son that he was sorry he couldn't pay, but that he was sure that God would either make it possible to have the surgery or that God would take care of the situation. He shared with Asael how he and his mother had placed Asael on the altar seven years ago, and that he was sure God had accepted that offering. God had special plans for his son, either in the ministry or whatever career Asael chose. God would make a way.
The two weeks went by, and still there was no money or means of correcting Asael's illness. Asael had another attack with severe pains. Pedro, his family, and the church gathered around him to pray. Even though Asael felt some better, they took him to the clinic again to see if there was anything that could be done. The doctor there feared the worst and had Asael rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, money or no money. Before going in, the surgeon ordered another round of tests and ultrasounds to see if the gall bladder had ruptured.
All of the tests came back negative! There was nothing wrong with Asael or his gall bladder! Asael was released and never had another attack again.
This fall Asael and his older sister, Denise, enrolled in the Puebla Bible School to study for the ministry. Denise had just passed her exams to become a civil engineer. Both felt led to leave their ambitions and promising careers to answer God's call and the need for more pastors in Mexico.
Pedro beamed as he shared this story at the evening rally, and said he couldn't be prouder to have two of his children in preparation for the ministry. Like Abraham, he had offered his son (and daughters) on the altar, possibly to the ruin of any hopes for retirement or security. Yet God had given him back his son, Asael, alive and healthy, and answering God's call. This hope was beyond all others for Pedro, and still he believed that God would make a way for whatever future would come.
Dear Lord, we offer our children to You to call and use as You see fit. And we place on the altar (again) any man-made hopes and dreams for a “comfortable” retirement or financial security. We trust You to make a way!
