Okay, I’m going to be real for a minute. This month’s ministry is NOT what I expected at all. After last month’s ministry of working with prostitutes, children, gang members, praying for people at hospitals, evangelizing and pretty much going, going, going non-stop every day in El Salvador — this is a huge change. I came into this month with an expectation of getting to evangelize to people every day, maybe working in refugee prison camps and having a schedule. Well, what is the first thing they tell you at training camp? DO NOT HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS. It’s true. Expectations only set you up for being let down. And although I wasn’t let down this month, I had to slow down and realize that this was actually a blessing from the Lord. This month we are staying in a cute little town called Bankya, which is 30 minutes outside the capital city of Sofia. For the most part, our ministry consists of cleaning the duplex we live in and organizing a library. We have also led bible studies, helped with children’s Sunday school and shared our testimonies in front of the whole congregation. It has been a change of pace to say the least, but a good one, nonetheless.
Let me rewind to the end of the very first week, when I was struggling to see what God wanted to teach me this month. I still had this busy mindset and was on fire to share Jesus with others and wanted that opportunity so badly. I volunteered to wash windows in the whole complex with another teammate. As we began to thoroughly scrub each window shade, we also started to share our hearts for missions and hear each others testimonies. I got to know this woman in a deeper way than I had the previous three months and I felt it was the beginning of a beautiful, new relationship. As our day came to an end, our team got the chance to unwind and just sit and talk in one of the rooms. What I began to realize was that this month’s ministry might not be to prostitutes or those struggling on the streets, but to one another. I have gotten to hear funny stories, sad stories and get to know each of these women in a deep and intimate way in just a few short weeks. I have come to LOVE my new team so, so much. I know that this change of ministry has been a blessing and He has been faithful to reveal to me His plans for right now. Because that’s truly all I need to know. I do not need to know the plans for my future or even for the next day. He is teaching me to rest and focus on the present because that is all we are really guaranteed.
I have also come to love the pastor and people at church. The people here go to church events about 3-4 times a week and have so much love for one another. On Sunday we are all having a potluck after service and get to spend some quality time with those who live here. This is what community is really about… spending time with one another, building each other up, focusing on God and loving one another through it all.
So, what have I learned thus far? That God knows exactly what our hearts need to draw nearer to Him. That this race is going to look completely different from month to month, but that’s okay. That there are always going to be unexpected changes (like team changes). And that ultimately, this journey is not about me or my comforts, but about what HE is going to do through me. Yes, Jesus loves how I wash windows. He loves how I just sit and rest in His presence and gain deeper relationships with the beautiful people around me.
My team (RADiant) hosting a bible study at our house!
