Go Beyond

Among the Mundurucu People

There is power in a human touch. Jesus understood that. His hands figure prominently in almost every episode of healing in the Gospels. Although He could have healed with nothing more than a glance or a spoken word, He chose instead to stretch out His hand and touch those in need of a miracle. This simple act set Him apart from the religious leaders of His day.

In “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity,” author Mark Batterson noted: “The power of touch, even on a human plane, is an amazing thing. But when you add the power of God to the equation, it sets the stage for something supernatural.” And indeed it does.

During our time among the Mundurucu people in the Amazon, our team of volunteers from Florida and Texas demonstrated what it means to be the hands of Jesus. Every tender touch put people at ease and became an avenue for God’s love to travel from one heart to another.

Our friend Leah volunteered to give haircuts while people waited to be seen at our clinic. I lost track of how many people she served. Every one of them felt her touch and heard the sound of her voice. This simple act of kindness made folks receptive to the good news about Jesus.

The sweet ladies and translators who worked with children in the villages were amazing. We all enjoyed the joyful sounds of the children as they sang songs about Jesus, played games, and learned Bible stories.

The folks on the medical team did not hesitate to touch those with even the most visually disgusting wounds. Nothing frightened them or kept them from touching, caring, and praying for those in need. Their touch and prayers were a soothing balm to the patients.

Mother Teresa taught the world the value of touching the least of these. She often reminded her Missionaries of Charity about the importance of a human touch. She insisted, “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do this humble work.”

Mother Teresa was right. There is something humbling about touching those who are hurting, frightened, or in desperate need. In his book “Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches,” author Johnnie Moore points out that touching others is a sign of intimacy. “It is a bridge not just from a hand to a shoulder,” he writes, “but also from a heart to a heart.” May we always look for opportunities to build bridges by allowing Jesus to use our hands to do His humble work.