A Homecoming in San Lorenzo

Shared by Kevin Lovell, Misison Leader for Parkview Baptist Church

In October, Parkview Baptist set out once again on one of its cherished pilgrimages to San Lorenzo. What was once unfamiliar has begun to feel like a rhythm—the faces we’ll see, the work awaiting our hands, even the muddy roads and occasional power outages greet us like old companions in this sacred routine of service.

Yet, what never feels routine is the joy that rushes in as we crest that final bend down San Lorenzo’s steep and rugged path. Suddenly, duty gives way to delight. Children’s laughter spills through the air, mingled with the aroma of home-cooked meals. Warm embraces meet us like sunlight breaking through clouds. It isn’t a mission trip—it’s a homecoming.

In those moments, it feels less like we’ve crossed miles and more like we’ve returned to family. On our Magnify the Ministry evening, the men of the village grinned with pride as they offered grilled corn, freshly picked that morning—a humble feast that echoed the spirit of the first Thanksgiving.

Now, as November dawns, my heart turns to gratitude—for our dear friends in San Lorenzo, for their radiant hearts and boundless hospitality, for the fellowship that has taken root and grown strong between us. Above all, I give thanks for the Gospel that binds us together and for our Savior whose love crosses oceans and finds us, even in the quiet, forgotten corners of the world.