There is something undeniable that a smile says, something
that a hug, an embrace, something that lifting another up on your shoulders
says, something that playing unending games of UNO says, something that JENGA
or dominos says, something that lying down and snuggling says, something that
sharing a meal says, something that dancing says, and for sure something that
laughter says. It says, “i love you.�
The oldest boy in the home came up to me saying in rough English,
“Love is spelled T-I-M…�
I interrupted him, saying, “No, love is spelled L-O-V-E.�
I didn’t get it.
He shakes his head and continues, “T-I-M-E.”
Love is spelled, time.
There is something that time says. It says, “i love you.�
We had a great month ministering to the street children of
Phnom Penh. We saw undeniable fruit
spring up in our midst, love transcending strong language and cultural barriers.
However, looking back, this was not our real ministry. Our ministry this month was not primarily for
the orphan, nor for the young adult learning English, nor for women of the
midwife clinic, no… this month was not just about them. This month was about us…
See, coming into this month, we were a team, but really, the
truth is we were six individuals that happened to be stuck together.
What happens in community is that people get hurt. People get offended. People are misunderstood. People have differences.
We have all come from different places, with
different backgrounds, different ways of praying, worshiping, different ways of
loving Jesus, different gifts. And here
we are, living with each other twenty four-seven. We can’t just meet up for “fellowship�, put
on our happy everything is ok face, resisting and burying any urge to be real, and
then go home to our safe, self-determined cocoons. We can’t get away from each other even if we
tried. So we are forced to do one of two
things… Fight for love… or run from it.
We chose the former… and I am so proud of my team for
it!
Here are ten evidences of grace I have seen this month
within our team:
1. Each person shared deeply about their life with the group: Great Courage!
2. Those offended were able to speak and confess it: Great Humility!
3. Constructive, and yes, even hard, feedback was given to
others: Great Love!
4. Correction was received with gratefulness, not bitterness: Great Grace!
5. Each person stepped out in their gifts and abilities: Great Faith!
6. Each person wrestled with the horrific conditions around us
without giving up: Great Endurance!
7. Each person learned to be more thankful for each other: Great Joy!
8. Each person learned more deeply that brokenness is okay: Great Understanding!
9. Each person comforted those that needed to cry: Great Encouragement!
10. Each person fell deeper in love with God, each other, and with
our world: Great Passion!
I honor you Chris, Joni, Pam, Ashley, and Heidi! I honor you for the men and women of God that you are, and for the men and women of God that you are becoming! I see Christ shining through each of you! Thank you for inspiring me to be more like our Savior!
