It’s been about three weeks here in Lesotho. Ministry has been a variety of things. Each day we have something different to do. There is 21 of us, so three teams, staying at the same ministry site. We normally split up during the day to do different activities. Our ministry has been either visiting the prison, going to soup kitchens or the clinic, praying at the hospital, working on building the orphanage and playground, youth night, primary/high school club ministry, prayer walks, working at our ministry home site, and teaching on Sunday’s. God has taught me a lot from each ministry, but I wanted to share a stories from one of the ministries.
Hospital ministry- this week a group of us went to the hospital to pray and visit with the people there. When we got there we split up into smaller groups. Mine got to pray for the children and women wards. There was one lady that really stuck out to me. She didn’t speak any English so I didn’t get her name, but she was beautiful. She had burns covering her face, hands, and probably most of her body. When we went into the room she didn’t try to hid her scars. She had a huge smile on her face. I noticed her right away because she just projected joy. When it came time to pray for the ladies she was behind me so I turned around to her and offered prayer. She shook her head yes so I thanked God for her beautiful joy and soft spirit. I’m not sure what she specifically needed prayer for, but I was just so blessed to be around her. After I had to take a step back and think to myself how I would feel if I was in her shoes. So many times I feel shame for superficial things. I hide my face because of minor insecurities. This woman was covered in scars, but still new her true beauty. God has made all of us not only physically beautiful, but spiritually beautiful as well. Being around this woman made me feel a joy I can’t explain. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.” As Christians we are taught to have fruits of the spirit, because this is something God has told us to do. Also because we are called to be like Jesus, who was a perfect representation of all the fruits. Even in hard times this lady produced joy, and gentleness. If I was sitting in a hospital bed, like her, I can’t say that I would be feeling super joyful. This women was a perfect example of not letting our circumstances dictate our happiness. She was such an inspiration to me! This week my team went over the fruits of the spirit. We each had one person from our group of 7 watch and give us feedback about which of the fruits we represent, and which one we need to work on. The one I was told I represented was joy. Being told that I am joyful was such an encouragement! God has been showing me how to find joy in every situation so the fact that others can see my joy shows that God is doing good things in my heart(:
These past few weeks have taught me a lot, and I’m so excited to see what else God is going to do in my heart this season.
