This crazy thing called the World Race has given us the privilege to experience ministry and mission in a variety of locations and settings. Every month we look back and process what the Lord has done in us and through us in that past month. We see what we could have done better and what we loved the most. We praise the Lord for His constant faithfulness and favor that He shows us in every place. And we praise Him for the lives (ours and others) that we have seen changed.
The Philippines (January) and Nicaragua (February) were some of the most amazing months of ministry that I have had on the race. In the Philippines I was always busy taking care of babies and staying overnight with them or at Samaritana working with the women who had come out of prostitution. It was hard to take a day off b/c there were so many ministry opportunities and needs that needed to be met.
In Nicaragua we were up and at them early going to the schools for the morning and then in the hospitals in the afternoons and other times sharing at the church or at the barrios. I loved it!! I love being busy and I love for my days to be full of service for the Lord.
This month was much different. I had hopes and plans to have this busy month of service to the Lord and see and do amazing things for the glory of God. Things didn’t go as planned. Which isn’t a surprise because this is the World Race and flexibility is the name of the game. This month ministry was intentional. Since we didn’t have a “contact” perse we had to choose daily to make ministry happen. We prayed daily, “Lord this day and time is not ours but yours, do what you have with us.” And we would go to the park and pray and ask the Lord to direct our steps and contacts and daily we had to choose to go to the hospital. There was no one there waiting for us or expecting us at a certain time so we daily had to choose to go.
I can look back now and see God’s hand upon us every day. We had opportunities to meet and share Christ with people we never would have met if we had a different ministry. If we weren’t open and aware and looking with expectation for opportunities to share Christ we would have missed them. Last weekend we went to Guatemala City to go see a movie and enjoy a different city for our Saturday off. And on the way home (on the chicken bus) I sat next to a gentleman (30ish) and by God’s grace he spoke basic English. And quickly we started talking and I shared the gospel with him. As simply as I could in English I shared with him it is not by good works that saves us but by repentance and putting his faith in Jesus Christ that saves. (His name is Louis please pray for his salvation and that God would continue to reveal to him the truth) I don’t have these great stories to share with you from this past month but I know God made me slow down and live everyday with expectation and eagerness to share the gospel with those we met. It was a much different month ministry wise but God is ever faithful and good and He uses us wherever we are to bring glory and honor to Him. Praise be to God for all the people that HE brought in our paths to share with. What a privilege we have been given to serve the only GOD!
