The SAMS organisation is facing a radical change as they merge with CMS. However, that won't change our long-standing support of Andrew and Maria Leake who have lived and worked in Northern Argentina for many years, campaigning tirelessly for the local indigenous people in Salta Province whose right to land and natural resources has been eroded by the widespread scale of commercial de-forestation. Their eldest son, Tomas, is at university in Buenos Aires, while Cecilia (14) and Carolina (11) are at local schools.  Our church rep is Amy Nicholls, herself a former SAMS missionary

Sheep & Goats

ANDREW AND MARIA Leake and their family work with the church amongst the indigenous peoples of Northern Argentina, particularly assisting them with land rights and other issues. St John’s supports them with financial support as well as prayer.

Andrew writes...

I have dedicated my life to working for the poor. For me it’s my job, It’s what I do, and above all, it’s what I enjoy. I have always worked

with the Church or Church-based organizations. I have chosen this path because that’s what I felt God wanted for me. Coupled to that, I try to get to Church on Sundays and do a little bit to help out here and there with the odd meeting or summer camps. Why then, you might ask, did I get a shock reading Mathew 25:31-46 (Jesus saying that on judgment day he will separate the sheep form the goats).

Here is why. Having, many years ago, understood I would be saved through God’s grace, I did not really think there was much else I could or needed to do after that in terms of strengthening my case on judgment day. I could now just plod along nicely and get on with what God had called me to do. My interest and concern was focused simply on applying Christian values and principles to the search for social justice. Reading Mathew 25:31-46 however, I now realize that doing things to help the poor is crucial. Regardless of whether I work with the poor or have a job as an astronaut, what I personally choose to do (or not do) for those in need will be taken into account by God.

Helping the poor is not just an optional add-on to Christian faith. It is perceived by God as authentic worship (Isaiah 58). Whatever we do for the poor is a very personal issue for God, because what we do for them we do for Him (Mathew 25: 40). Furthermore, and this is what really shook me out of my comfort zone: Whatever we choose not to do for the poor is the same as choosing not to do it for God _ and this comes with consequences (Mathew 25: 45).

This reflection stems from reading Richard Stearn’s book The Hole in Our Gospel (Published by Thomas Nelson). I strongly recommend you read it because it could make an enormous difference to you, your relationship with God, and the lives of many poor people.

Andrew Leake