Fun and ministry…all in one! What is ministry? What does it look like? God is already transforming my view of what ministry is and how it looks and it’s only been a few weeks since arriving at the Tree of Life Orphanage. We have had many opportunities to have fun and “do ministry” at the same time! We have also had our times when things weren’t so easy or fun, yet we still were able to do ministry through it all. Ministery is all around us, everywhere we go.
FERN
Last Saturday we had the opportunity to go to a local olympic size pool and swim with the kids. They are like fish in the sea, with lots of energy, and loving the water. Bangkok being hot almost year round is the perfect place for a public swimming pool. They created their own ‘diving rings’ with bracelets, used a bandana as a ‘beach ball,’ and created a huge splash by jumping in as a cannon ball. Being as short as I am, I was unable to have them jump and me catch them in the water because I would go down with them; in fact, Fern found that out the hard way, which gave her a bit of anxiousness at first, but Jenn saved the day.
(Fern, Mon, and Fil)
Spending a day just having fun with them was great!
(Becky & Fern – Gai is in the background)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. When He had placed His hands on them, he went on from there.” (Matthew 19:14-15)
I believe Jesus just wanted those children to come to Him so He could show them He cared and loved them. He wanted to spend time listening to them and hearing their concerns and what gets them excited. Just spending time with Fil, Fern, Mon, Gai, and Sam showing them we care and love them is important!
(Fern and Jenn – she likes to get her picture taken)
Just as Christ told those little children to come to Him while on this earth, we are His little children. He wants us to continually come to Him with everything. He cares enough to take time for each and every concern and excitement in our lives. He will never turn us away no matter what. He wants to have fun with us and show His love in so many ways. We need that fun and enjoyable time with our “daddy” where we laugh with Him and are filled up so that we can pour ourselves out into His other little children here on earth the way He has done for us.
(Sam – he’s a tough guy)
Lord
, I praise you for being the perfect Father and allowing us to come to you and tell you everything going on in our life and caring about every word. Help me to set aside time to just enjoy being in your presence, laughing with you! Give me eyes to see things as you do and fill me up in ways I couldn’t imagine. Place the specific child in my path that you want me to pour into each step of life, not just this year, but always. Children are precious in your site. Help me to see them as you see them. Your vision is great and grander than my finite mind can create. I love you Lord and exalt you for being ‘daddy’!
(Fil showin off his muscles)
(Fern & I)
