I never thought I would have to be just as intentional with my time here on the World Race as I was back home.
Guess I thought we would have scheduled ministry 24/7 but that’s not the case at all here in El Salvador.
We actually have more free time than I thought.
The question is, “how am I using that free time?”
So far, a typical day in El Salvador looks like this:
*Get up around 7:30ish to go for a run (most days)
*Being ready to leave the house at 9 but not really leaving until at least 10
*Heading to a community to pray or do dramas for a few hours
*Coming to the house to rest for 3-4 hours before going to church or being done for the day
*Every Monday we get a free day to chill
Like I said, more free time than I imagined. I had imagined leaving the house at 7 in the morning and returning home around 8 to head straight to bed, which may be how it is in future months.
Some complain about having too much free time with nothing to do.
The thing is the Holy Spirit is always at work. He is always ministering. He is always providing opportunities, but do I always listen? Not really….
The truth is that when I minister with 100% leading from the Holy Spirit then I come alive. Seeing the Holy Spirit touch someone is one of the biggest blessings.
Here’s what I am talking about.
Our group was driving home from church one night, and we stopped by the supermarket to get some snacks. As we were driving up I noticed an elderly woman sitting on the steps by herself. I knew I was supposed to talk to that woman. As everyone went inside, Liz and I walked over to her. With our broken Spanish, we learned that she had lost her husband 2 years ago. He was the one who provided for her by selling lottery tickets. She was begging for food, so we went and bought her some bread. She told us that she has cataracts and you could see it in her eyes. We prayed for healing, and as we prayed she began to weep. I know the Holy Spirit was touching her. I know she felt like someone cared. In that moment, she knew that God had not left her alone.
On Monday, we went to see a volcano in San Salvador and then went to the mall. First sign of American food! Got some Starbucks, which was yummy, but my day really came alive whene
ver we met Maylin. She was working in a sports store in the mall where Hillsong music was playing in English. That's when we met Maylin. She told us she was a Christian. With the help of Victor, we asked her if we could pray for her. She brought us to the back of the store and told us that she had been having a problem with her uterus. We weren’t quite sure what but God knew and that’s all that matters. As we began to pray for her, she too began to weep. Again, the Holy Spirit was speaking something to her that we didn’t understand. It was a sweet moment. She thanked us and gave each of us a necklace that was around her neck. I know she felt Christ’s love.
As a group of us were walking home from one of the schools we passed a man sitting in front of a wheelchair on the curb. His name was Tonito. He told us that he had been paralyzed for many years after someone had pushed him off
one of the cathedrals. He sits on the curb to ask for money and food. We found out that people usually steal from him and make fun of him. It broke my heart. He hadn't eaten all day and had a headache. A few girls went to get him a plate of food. We shared Jesus with him and he accepted Christ that day. Amen. We also prayed for him to walk again. It didn't happen that day, but I know it will! I know God loves him so much. And that day, Tonito knew God loved him. He knew we loved him.
These are the moments when I feel so free and so alive.
So it’s the same.
Whether you are home in the U.S. or you are doing missionary work around the world, you still have to be intentional with the time on earth that God gives you.
It doesn’t matter how much scheduling you do.
God never sleeps. Holy Spirit never stops moving. Jesus never stops loving.
