I have never been a fan of washing dishes, and since the start of the race I have washed massive amounts of dishes at least 4 times a week.
Washing dishes at a homeless shelter.
Washing dishes in the hostel for my teammates.
Washing dishes at our ministry site after 400 people have eaten.
Washing dishes at a church after enjoying a wonderfully spicy meal.
Today we went to the home of an older couple that are not in good health and needed help cleaning up their home so they can pass an inspection from their landlord to prevent being evicted.
Jenny is a sweet woman from New Zealand that greeted us with a warm smile and from her rolling chair that she cannot easily get out of she humbly asked if I would do her dishes. I was not excited about this but I went to the sink with a smile on my face (1 Peter 5:2).
As I was scrubbing dishes with lukewarm water that barely removed the layers of food caked on them, Jenny shared with me her and her husband’s powerful testimony; involving a wild and reckless past that God transformed into a life giving present. She was so excited to simply share the beautiful things Jesus has done in her life. The muddy water and rotten milk in what once was a nice cup of coffee seemed less nauseating as I listened to this woman boast about the power of her Lord.
I am learning everyday that ministry comes in all shapes and sizes. I constantly pray for God to rid me of myself and fill me up with His love. Our God sure does have a sense of humor, He’s the kind of dad that will give us heaps of dishes to wash when we would rather play basketball with children. Because He knows theres a beautiful testimony and a women in need of Christ filled fellowship accompanying those dishes. I cannot say that I enjoyed the smell of rotten milk in a crusty coffee mug, but I certainly enjoyed the conversation and chance to be encouraged by a sister in Christ.
God’s love is not limited to a worship service or feeding the homeless. He reveals His love to us in the places we least expect to find it, like in a moldy cup of coffee.
