Redefining Ministry

Going into this trip I did not have many expectations, however, the couple I did have were almost instantly shot down. I didn’t know exactly what I would be doing—I thought I would definitely be doing kids ministry, maybe helping with the special needs ministry or working with people in general. Hearing people’s stories and helping people see the love of Jesus.

 

well… 

 

It turns out that’s not at all what things were going to look like with covid. Right now, we are not interacting with anyone really… at all. 

 

I knew ministry would look different, but I thought that meant with masks, fewer people and maybe social distancing…I was wrong. Ministry looked different in a way where it brought up some confusion and left me feeling a little let down. Right now, we are solely helping clean and with some maintenance around a couple different locations.

 

Why did I come to another country to saw a few pieces of wood, to take apart some old bunkbeds, to wipe down some wheelchairs or to clean a bathroom?

 

I was feeling a little exhausted and a little discouraged. The ministry I thought I had come for—I was not doing. Little did I know God was going to completely shift what I thought ministry was supposed to look like.

 

Our ministry host, Fabi, talked about how special it is to be a part of behind the scenes work. We have the opportunity to do work that other people won’t see or notice, so all the glory for the work we’re doing is given to God.

 

How cool is it that I get to be a part of something where people can only turn to God and say thank you!

 

That pile of wood and those stubborn bunkbeds were driving me crazy, but we got to help with those—now our ministry hosts can look into some dreams they’ve had to put on hold.

 

At the special needs ministry, it did break my heart to walk into an empty building that once had so much life. It hurt to see the bathroom left as if they were expecting to come back the next day and to clean wheelchairs that were probably never cleaned like that before. While it did hurt, I get to help them prepare to bring their kiddos back—bring that life back.

 

I get to be just the tiniest bit of light in what feels like such a dark place right now. How cool is it that I get to have just the smallest part in something that will bring so much glory to God!

 

So…no, I am not doing what I thought ministry would be, but I am learning how anything and everything—the way we live can be ministry, and can bring people to God and give all the glory to God!