Surrender: Even the Llamas

The 24th and 25th of February we visited the family of Tomás Llauripari Ruiz in Jallp'a Cueva, a small community three hours from the city of Cochabamba.

When we arrived after 6pm, it was so cold that we had to bundle up before getting started.

We set up a large blue tarp to create a small shelter for the audiovisual equipment, then we waited as more people joined our small gathering to project a film about the life of Jesus in Quechua.

After showing the film, we preached about the events leading up to the second coming of Christ. The crowd was captivated.

Early the next day, the family gathered more than 200 of their llamas and alpacas. Tomás asked that we pray for his cattle. He expressed his desire to please the Lord and offer to Him these animals that he cared for with such love and dedication.

After a teaching from the Word of God, Tomás made the decision to sacrifice one of his llamas for a special lunch to share with us and his family. He wanted to celebrate that his wife and son had made the decision to dedicate themselves and all that they have to the Lord.

Many of us find it difficult to give a few minutes of our time to God. This humble family in the middle of nowhere, without conveniences that we consider basic necessities, has decided to believe in a God who asks everything of us, because He gave everything for us.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? —Romans 8:32