Presence
This month we have joined the work of the staff at ICM. At
times, I wonder how am I adding to this ministry, how am I being used for God? We keep feeling like we can do more. I think it is because we don’t
necessarily see the finished product everyday like the we did the past two months, we take a
lot of time eating with the pastor and staff of the village, and we can not
always engage people in deep conversations, as we’ve only been learning the dialect for two weeks now.
Then, I had a conversation with the director and he asked if
we would go visit the village of people who live at the dump. They live at the
dump and collect rubbish that is salvageable enough to sell for profit- that is
their livelihood. He said that it really lifts their spirit and encourages them
when people come visit. Usually, they feel ashamed and forgotten because of
where they live. In the past, after people have visited them the attendance at
the local church went up. He said because they feel hope again, the tangible
love of Jesus.
people just by being in
their presence. There is something powerful with thepresence of community around. I
think God designed us in an amazing way that enjoys the company of others. It
can go both ways though; you can be the presence of God uplifting those around
you, or the presence of burden and despair putting them down.
contributing a lot, we have an impact. The people of the Philippines tell us
thank you all the time. Sometimes I wonder, for what? One of the staff told us how proud they are just by us taking
the time to come visit them in their country, their village, and their home. Just our presence encourages them, brings them hope. It reminds me of many stories I know that people are filled
with joy when people remember them, come visit them, or even write a note.
that, what I do say can be words of life spoken over them that they hang onto
and feel hope.
I encourage all of us to visit those that are usually
forgotten.
Never underestimate the power of your presence and choose
words that lift others up. How does God see them and speak that life into them.
We are planting seeds of acceptance, hope, and love.
Bringing new eyes of light.
My prayer is to see others the way God sees them. And love them right where they’re at.
