Blessed to hang out with month 9 racers all month
Since being here, I have been wrestling with one word: MINISTRY. What does this mean? What does it look like? Why has God placed me under one organization for a season and not another? Why refugees instead of orphans?
Believers have made this word complicated. The focus begins to shift from living a daily life of ministry to it only happening if something is “organized”. I mean think about it…I know I am guilty of thinking this way or even becoming caught up in the “whys”. I can remember countless times, while on the World Race, saying “oh we only had 2 hours of ministry today” when in fact so many other things happened throughout the day. Hmmm…
I get to hang out with these lovely refugees at a youth hostel
Where has the meaning gone if we think this way? Look at Jesus, with every step He took ministry was happening. More often than not, He would venture to a place with no organized meeting per say. This word was part of his daily life, His DNA. Every place he went, atmosphere’s shifted. Light was casting out darkness. Restoration, healing would happen. Love was breaking down walls. What if we walked in this?
The other day, Aimee and I were driving away from our Thai lessons when Papa God ever so gently reminded me of what ministry is after I saw the smiling face of our security guard.
“Amy, ministry does not only happen when something is organized. No, my love, it happens every second of every day. When you walk into a place, atmospheres are shifting. Light is piercing darkness. With every step, joy and freedom are being released. Love, is oozing onto others through you. Love is the Key. Smiles radiate from faces. It is not because of you, rather me, the Jesus, who lives inside of you. “
Rest stop at a waterfall as we get our hike on…with Amber(work with her) and Aimee
Living a life of ministry is not about organizations, rather living a life of love.
This past month, ministry has looked quite different from what I had expected. It has looked like having a place of refuge for World Racers to come relax, be loved, and get filled up before forging onto their last 2 months of the race. It has looked like having my Thai dad show me all his running trophy’s or celebrating a birthday at a youth Hostel (children’s home). Ministry has looked like listening to my friends share their hearts or inviting our Thai teacher to hang out with us. It has been processing different reports for FBR or holding a 1 year old baby girl. It has been ordering food from the same Thai restaurant or smiling at the same security guard where our Thai lessons are at. Ministry has not been confined to a time or a place; rather, it has been happening with every step, breath I have taken.
Bday bash for Hossie(work at FBR with her) at the Wa youth Hostel
I do not want to fall back into the legalism of what ministry is, but if I do, I can TRUST that Papa God will be there waiting with a gentle reminder to steer me back into the right direction.
Kawng chan a-jaan Lah nan sawn paasaa Thai. (my Thai teacher that teaches Thai Language)
…without all the tones:)
