So last month I learned about contentment. If you haven’t read my last blog, do that before continuing!
I am feeling so free in my chains to Christ through choosing contentment every day and every moment. That’s not to say it’s always easy, but God has been faithful and abounding in grace. He taught me what contentment in Him looks like; this month He has allowed this to be tested.
There are several ministry opportunities here in Thessaloniki, Greece. Each team was given a few minutes to decide where they wanted to go for ministry, with the understanding that they may not get their fist pick. My team was all in for going to refugee camps. To be on the front lines. I was not. I didn’t think I could handle it emotionally or physically.
But my team was chosen. We are the designated team to go to refugee camps. I was distraught. I didn’t want this. I didn’t feel comfortable with this decision and didn’t have any clue what to expect. But I also didn’t want to bow out before going at least once. I talked with God about this. He gave me His love and peace as I chose contentment with this decision.
I still wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but I chose to be content, knowing God is my provider. If He wants me in the camps, He will give me strength to endure. I also trusted that if I were to go in obedience, He would reveal to me if I should continue to go or stay back and assist with other ministries.
My team was then informed we would be helping with a program for the children of one camp, just outside the camp. We were to prepare for up to 500 children. There’s 7 people on my team currently. This was a nightmare come true. But we prepared anyway. We put a list of games and activities together. We were as organized as we could, with the expectation that it was going to be a very chaotic 7 hours.
We were told to bring water, but don’t drink too much because there may not be a bathroom and at all costs, do not use the port-a-potties for sanitary reasons. Bring sunscreen. Wear long pants and shoes for sanitary reasons as well as some cultural sensitivity. Bring bug spray. Bring food, but make it something small and quick. The camps can become suddenly dangerous, and here’s what to do in case of emergency… All these things sounded like a stressful nightmare.
We got to the ministry sight, located just outside the warehouse occupied by 1,600 refugees. We were partnering with a Muslim organization from London who were feeding the people in the camp. We were then split into two groups. One to work with children, and, much to my delight, one to help chop vegetables. God honored my choice to be content with His will. I chopped vegetables for 7 hours. Happily.
While I was chopping vegetables, I recognized the sun was hidden by clouds, making the day cooler. Again, I felt honored by God. During the first few hours, I started to think about chocolate. Not too surprising since I was surrounded by enough vegetables to feed 1,600 people. To my surprise and delight, maybe an hour after this thought, the guys from the organization came by and gave us candy bars. I about fell over.
The day was filled with these kinds of surprises. The guys from the organization were super kind and constantly offered us water or juice, offered to give us lunch, gave us sweets.
I say all of this to say when we chose contentment with God’s will, whether it’s appealing to our human flesh or not, God rejoices and honors that. It’s far more rewarding then choosing fear. My eyes have been opened to all the goodness God has in store for us when we choose His will over ours. I never would have experienced all the joys of serving, if I had chosen to stay back.
I realize this is getting long. I apologize, but there is a lot of need here. I ask that you pray for C squad for stamina, and for the refugee crisis I am seeing with my own eyes. Pray that we can use this time to encourage the Christian refugees and reach the hopeless. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective! (James 5:16b)
