As we near the end of our time in Speia, Moldova and prepare to move on to our next ministry site in Transnistria, I’ve been thinking a lot about blessings. I’ve been thinking about the opportunity that I have had to bless others here and the specific ways in which I have been blessed by my experiences here, but even more so about the RIGHT way to determine how to bless.
During our two weeks here, my team has had the opportunity to bless this community. We lived with a missionary family that has been serving this community for 7 years and worked in support of their ministry. We accompanied them on house visits during which we provided food to the household, assisted with household tasks when needed, and took time to encourage and share with the people. We were also able to host a kid’s camp, since the kids were on break from school this week. I really enjoyed teaching them our games, learning their games, sharing truths with them through Bible stories, and seeing the joy with which they participated in the activities.
The experiences we have had in this community have also been a blessing to me. Mainly because I was reminded of how things should be in families and in communities and of how blessed I have always been in this area. The home visits, where I saw generations of families living together and working to support each other, instead of focusing on personal gain, reminded me of the value of family unity. I thank God that I have this kind of family. Also, through the events that transpired after the death of a community member (non-church member) I was able to witness a church and community coming together to dig a grave (Yes, our guys did participate in this activity!) and meet the needs of the family. This is how communities should work and it was inspirational to me to see people with so little rise to meet the needs of others.
Over the course of the trip I’ve been learning a lot about evaluating how best to bless people, whether through financial gifts, prayer, acts of service, empowering sustainability, etc. I’ve also been taking a hard look at what I have done in the past and how I should approach it in the future. A practical example presented itself during our time here that has contributed to my understanding in this area . . .
A situation arose with our contact- there was a need presented to our group and we had to evaluate HOW God was leading us to respond. This is often hard, given our American mindset of trying to jump in and do a “quick fix” by providing a financial gift. I have to admit that prior to this trip I would have seen that as the best response. However, sometimes the need for sustainability and the lessons that God provides through personal struggle and sacrifice are more crucial to developing a solution than meeting the obvious physical need(s).
The situation, nor the response, is of primary importance here. My point is that there are many ways to respond, and many ways to bless, and it is MOST important that I seek God’s guidance in this and act as HE directs, regardless of the reaction or response of others.
I just love the ways that the Lord is blessing me through this journey . . . even through lessons about blessings!
