I am sitting here in Independence, Belize on the porch of The Independence Church of the Nazarene. The air is full of the fresh earthy smell of newly fallen rain, one of my favorite smells. As people pass by they flash a big smiled and say hello.
Yesterday I was in the kitchen for many hours learning to make a couple well-known Belizean dishes from Mrs. Diana, our host for this month (I am starting a world race cook book and I’m pumped about it). I was able to learn so much not only about cooking but also about her life and perspective. My team and I also painted tables, cubby boxes and an extension on to the churches pre-school. This evening there was a youth event where we performed a skit, taught them the church clap dance, and played games. Afterwards I got to have a long chat with Monique who is my age and helps with the youth program. She is such a joyful, strong and inspiring woman. We just sat and talked about anything from her wedding to her co-workers to some harsh realities of life. It was as like we were old friends just catching up.
Everyday here has looked different. We have painted a preschool, visited a high school and shared testimonies, danced and played games with the youth group, played/watched basketball, played with preschoolers, created a date night for our amazing hosts, taught a bible study in a Mayan village, and danced some more (or at least tried).
All this and yet life in Belize feels surprisingly normal. Something the World Race staff says a lot as they prepare us is “ministry is life and life is ministry”. I heard this a lot before leaving and I kinda just wrote it off. It sounded great in theory but I didn’t really know what it meant until now. I am realizing this is exactly how the Lozano’s, our hosts, are living life. Pastor Jerome and Mrs. Diana lives are full of ministry and they are loving every minute of it. Everything they do pours into each other and into the community all around them. They shop in stores owned by church members to support them. There are youth kids that come in and out of the house at all times both day and night. They host church events 6 out of the 7 nights of the week. They serve each other selflessly. On top of it all they are hosting my team of six and are treating us like we are family. And they are doing it all in the most relaxed, effortless way, full of joy and love.
This is something I am going to strive to bring with me and practice for the rest of my life. Ministry does not need to be hard, it does not (and should not) be contained to certain times or areas in my life. Ministry is always around no matter what, it is not a task that needs to be finished or something you can “clock-out” off. This is how I have been treating ministry back at home. But as I have been here, I don’t feel like I am doing “ministry”, I am instead living life with the Lozano’s and loving and pouring into others. Yes, the World Race is a big trip where I get to support all different ministries and missions. But I don’t plan on it stopping there. I want to bring the lifestyle the Lozano’s are so beautifully demonstrating and inviting me into, with me no matter where I find myself in the future.
Man time is flying!! It’s hard to believe I only have a week and a half left here. I was sitting in church yesterday thinking about having to leave these wonderful people and I don’t think I am ever going to be ready for that. But there is still a lot of exciting things we get to be a part of in the time we have left here! Next week the church is having a revival that will be several evenings leading up to what they call Harvest Thanksgiving. I am so excited to be able to help prepare and experience all that this will entail! Stay tuned for more details on all the festivities!
Love you all so much,
Martha Kuhn
PRAYER WARRIORS:
- Pray thanksgiving over the Lozano’s. They have made our first month of the race more than I could have imagined. I could not feel more blessed to get to partner with them for this month and get learn from them.
- Pray that preparations for the Revival and Harvest Thanksgiving, that it would be a fun time for the church to come together and come alive for what the Lord is doing.
- Pray for my team. We have been working hard the last couple of days and are taking the day to rest and refocus on the Lord.
