Before we transition from one country to the next, we get a set up sheet with all the information about our next country. We learn where we will be staying, what type of ministry we will be doing, and general information about the city. When our team leader shares the setup sheet with us there is always a feeling of excitement and expectation.
This month was no different. We were standing on the roof of our house when Steph started to read us the setup sheet. My heart immediately dropped. We were going to be doing church planting and preaching in a rural village in India.
Don’t get me wrong; I am all for church planting, but this ministry was exactly what we had been doing the past three months of the race. My heart was hungry for something different. I was ready for something that lined up with my gifts and talents. Preaching was not it. I know that I can do it, but I’ve done quite a bit of preaching already on the race, and I felt like it should have been another team’s turn to carry that burden.
So what do you do when you are not excited at all about your next month?
I have to admit that for a while, I wallowed in self-pity. I let myself be angry about the ministry that had been thrust upon us. I let myself be jealous of other teams ministries. The negatives seemed never ending. I would most likely have no access to wifi, my team had to put on a church service everyday other than Mondays, there is a higher risk of malaria in the village, and the water is really bad. Everything that was said about our village made it seem like a very undesirable place to go.
I had to take my very bad attitude to the Lord and see what he had to say about out village. I am confident that this is the place that the Lord has for my team and me for month four of our race. I can’t say that I’m excited, but I can say that I am content. I trust that the Lord will care for me and provide. I trust that the promise of Jeremiah 33:3 hold true for me, especially in this month. I know that I can call to the Lord and he will tell me amazing and incomprehensible things.
So here is where I’m at.
I’m sitting in a Haagen-Dazs because it is the only place we can find with wifi. I am crying because it is the last time I’ll get to talk with my parents for a month. I am mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually preparing myself to go to the village tomorrow. I am writing this blog to let you know where I’m at, and I’m asking you to partner with me and pray for me this month. The Lord has given me a support system for such a time as this.
What do you do when you are dreading your next month of ministry?
You lean on the people around you for strength.
This month I get to lean on my team and my friends and family back home. I get to draw strength from them when my own strength has run out. I get to depend and rely on the Lord for his strength in the midst of my weakness.
I cannot wait to tell you about all the stories that I know will come from this month, but right now I’m asking for your prayers. I’m going to need them.
With love,
Madi
