When I landed in China, I couldn’t wait to experience a culture that’s completely different from what I’ve been raised in. When my team and I arrived at the foster home, we were so excited to see what God had waiting for us to do in China. The next day we had orientation where they explained to us what we were going to be doing for the month.
At the end of the orientation, they made it very clear that we couldn’t do open ministry unless the person we were speaking with brought up the topic themselves. At first we understood, because open ministry could damage the relationship the foster ministry has with the government. But throughout the days it became harder for me to not want to pray and talk about the good news with someone who was looking through the trash for food.
It pained me that I couldn’t pray for a family that has a three year old daughter who’s battling cancer. The more pain and lost people I saw, the harder it became for me to bite my tongue. The most I could do was go to the prayer room we had and pour my heart out to God in prayer, hoping that a change would happen if I continued to pray. But I never felt spiritually satisfied when I walked into the village, knowing I couldn’t pray for the man looking through the pile of trash for food. I wish I’d never taken for granted how I could’ve spread God’s love for anyone when I was in the U.S., or encouraged those with prayer who are going through hard times. That’s when God revealed to me that sometimes, in order to realize what we need to value in life, we first need to be stripped from having it.
Even though it was rough not being able to minister to the people we see in public, it didn’t mean that we couldn’t make a difference in their lives. I wasn’t going to let that stop me, so I showed God’s love in acts of love, kindness, and laughter. I found actions spoke louder than words this month, so we’d go in the middle of crowds and dance and bring smiles and laughter to everyone. One of our teammates Abby made an apron for the lady in the village restaurant we always went to. To express our love for the food she provided us this month, we all went to present the gift and thank her. We even took pictures with random people in public who wanted a photo with us. Of course I had a blast being able to connect, and play games with the kids at the foster home.
Sometimes spreading joy and pouring love into the people around you may be the primary ministry God wants you to do for a time. We shouldn’t be disappointed when it doesn’t meet our expectations. God always has in mind what is best for us spiritually and mentally, even when it doesn’t seem like it at the time.
