Well it’s been a minute since my last blog although I’ve written tons. My journal is heavy with ink questions.
My team and I arrived in Chile about two weeks ago which doesn’t make sense in brain. Calendars don’t tend to vary to much though so I’ll try and grasp that reality. This month our ministry looks SUPER different than the prior months. Instead of refinishing churches or clearing hillsides, we’re working with a church in Los Andes doing street evangelism and serving the local church. This has ranged anywhere from putting on events for the youths and skater punks that hang out in the city square to holding up signs that say “Jesus loves you” in a crosswalk while I dressed up as the good Lord himself with a cross on my back.
I know.
Now let me tell you the things I’ve been learning these past two weeks. My team has had more down time because sometimes ministry isn’t an all day event. I’ve had to learn what to do with my extra time which has been difficult in it’s own way. It’s incredibly easy to slip back into starring at my phone, book, computer, you name it. I’m learning to engage even when there’s not a task in front of me. Which isn’t something that just applies to the race but it’s easier to get away with here. I’m going to be thrown into uncomfortable situations while I’m on this journey and I’m going to grow because of those.
What’s a harder thing to do is to choose to step into that even when I don’t have to.
Heck, I already laid down my pride by dawning a fake crown of thorns and showing up to ministry even though I felt silly. I choose to believe that my host knew more than I did and that it was more important to honor the person who’s here living with these people I’ll only see for another two weeks. No one could say I wasn’t willing to show up.
And while that’s true I’m learning that I have to show up again. And again.
It’s more than just ceasing my self medication of messaging easy people to talk to and reading clever tweets. It’s choosing to stay present with the team I’m with and be vulnerable with the truths I’m wrestling with. Choosing to stay present with my ministry host and the people here. Choosing to stay present with the Lord even in small ways throughout the day (shout out to Brother Lawrence).
I’m choosing to show up again and while it’s hard, I think it’s worth it.
An update:
Thank you to everyone who’s helped support me this far! I’m still fundraising and currently about $3,000 away from my final goal which I need to meet at the end of this month. I would love if you would prayerfully consider donating to my trip!
