“There are no days off when you’re living a life on mission.”
At training camp this past October, I remember hearing from our leaders that there are no days off when you are living on mission. When you are living on purpose there are really no days off, because ministry is not just a “9 to 5” job. As believers, we need to remember this when we enter the workplace, in our homes, in school, at your friend’s house, or even walking down the street. God asks that we be intentional about him and about people. Why? Because he wants people to know his love and know that they have a meaning.
During my time on the World Race, I’ve asked God how I could be intentional about loving others and bringing his light to someone. Last month in Mozambique, God used me to minister to the women at Tenny’s team to teach them some English. He showed me other ways to just with how to love on my team.
This month, I’ve asked God, “Lord how can I be intentional about loving on others? How can make a lasting impression on someone that would ultimately lead them to you, their Savior?”
So in Swazi, we have Saturday and Sunday’s off to take some rest from a ministry filled week. It’s great because we get to go out into the town with our teams, find wifi (wherever we can get it) so we can update posts and talk with family back at home, or just take the day to rest. Some people from the team decided to play basketball on the weekends. That has been incredible because many of our teammates have been able to speak to several Swazi’s here just about basketball and God. Our Host Xolani (Colani) encouraged us by telling us that ministry doesn’t have to be standing in front of a pulpit and preaching to thousands of people. Simply playing a game of basketball or soccer, or even cutting the grass is a form of ministry because your intention is to love and build relationship. The intention is to show Christ’s love to that person whether they know him or not. It’s been great to see this woven into the hearts of my team here.
Still, I wanted to know if there was anything else he wanted from me specifically. Where did he want me to go? Who did he want me to speak to?
Every Monday, we went to the Adventures in Missions office where we met for devotional and announcements. After devotions, we would do listening prayer. This means we separate into groups of 2 or 3 and we pray over Swaziland and over the city of Manzini. We invite God in to lead us to who he wants us to talk to that day.
My teammates, Anna and Jewels, prayed with me and we asked God to show us who he wanted us to talk to or help. After we prayed, we took some time to see what God would show us either in a vision or a word. All of us envisioned someone old. I got an old woman with a head wrap around her head and she was sitting by a gate kind of somber and alone. My friend Jewels got a vision of an old wrinkled hand and Anna got a vision of a woman. So we sought out to find her that day but we didn’t see her. We later went to a coffee shop and were able to speak to the waitress there. She was really sweet and we’ve been checking in on her every Monday. We still couldn’t get this woman out our head.
That Saturday, I found her.
She was sitting in front of a store. There was no gate, as I pictured, but for someone reason it felt like it was her. She was an older woman with a head wrap on her head. She had her hand out with only 2 coins in them. She looked worn down and tired. She had a container of lollipops next to her, that was probably her only source of income. Her legs were amputated.
Anyways, we had passed by her once, and I asked the Lord if that was her. I felt him gently whisper “Go back.”
So of course, instead of going back, I debating with God for about five minutes.
God are you sure?
What if she doesn’t speak English?
What should I do?
He told me to go back. So of course, I negotiate with the Lord.
“Ok, Lord if you put this woman back in my heart again I will go back.”
I don’t know why I did this. Maybe for fear that I was getting the wrong woman, or fear that I wouldn’t be able to successfully witness to her. God reminded me that it wasn’t about me, and that anything I do in his name would be treasured. So guess what I did?
That’s right I went back and I took my friend Felicia with me. We went to this King Pie restaurant here to pick her up a delicious pie.
Side note: the best pies I’ve ever had!
Another side note: King Pie needs to come to America.
I bought her cheeseburger pie and a bottle of water. I told Felicia that we needed to go back to the woman and I needed to give her food.
We found her.
We sat in front of her and I handed her the bag. She looked at me with a big smile and responded with “Hallelujah praise you Jesus!” She shook my hand and greeted me in SiSwati (Swazi’s native tongue). I responded in the best way that I could. It was comical. She started giggling. Then I asked her if I could pray with her. She grabbed my hand and bowed her head and closed her eyes. That Saturday I was able to pray for her. It was truly beautiful. I was so happy after meeting this woman. Even despite her circumstance, she was not bitter. She was not angry. She was happy. She actually had pure joy when she saw us! Man, if I would’ve never came back I would’ve missed the opportunity to bless her. I would have missed an opportunity to be blessed by her! I didn’t get her name; I don’t know much about her life. I don’t know where she went to school, or if she formally knows English. All I know is that God brought me to her, to pray for her and to show her the love of Christ.
Then God reminded me of the verse that I had chosen for this year:
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
I highlighted the 16th verse because my good works did not lead her to glorify me, but God. Through this encounter, Sophie (I later found out her name), was reminded of the Father’s love for her. He found her. He still is her provider. He didn’t forget her. I’m glad we went back to see her.
The next day, a couple of my teammates and I were able to bless another homeless man with food. The following week, we saw this man on 2 different occasions and were able to buy him food. How cool is it that we can be a part of God’s plan to be a blessing to someone else? In return, we get blessed by them as well.
Please continue to keep our team in your prayers!
