This month has been a “big picture” month. We have not
gotten to do ministry specifically with Ukrainians. As I said in a previous
blog, we are working at a summer camp for underprivileged kids. The kids don’t
get here until after we leave for Africa. So
we have been doing a lot of manual labor and things to prepare the camp for the
kids to arrive at camp next week. We have worked mostly with Americans
actually. Our contacts are American, we had the team from Texas [shoutout
Hillcrest/ACU friends], and now there are 6 interns who are also from ACU
[Abilene Christian University] who we have been working alongside for the last
few days.
One thing that is happening on this property is the
preparation of the Rescue House. This house is going to take in children who
are in danger and in need of somewhere to stay outside of their family. When
social services had kids who are waiting for a placement or if they have
children who need somewhere to stay for a while, they can come here and stay at
this rescue house on the property. Former World Race teams have helped with the
building process of the house and my team is getting to help put the finishing
touches on the house.
The other day Katie and I were building a bunk bed for the
rescue house [it is weird that this is normal life these days] and as I was
getting frustrated and wanting to stop I had to think beyond that moment. I had
to think about the children who are going to sleep on that bed instead of my
frustration in the moment that the dumb screws and bolts weren’t lining up
right. It was more than just building a bunk bed. It was about what that bed is
going to be in the future. It made me look at the Big Picture. Who is going to
care if I had trouble putting together a bunk bed or if it took me 5 hours to
get the screws in right when there is a child who is rescued from an abusive
situation and that bed is finally a safe place for them?
This month has been a month of big picture ministry. We have
had to look beyond what we are doing in the moment. We have had to look beyond
making over 30 beds, multiple times. We have had to look beyond the loads and
loads of sheets we have had to wash, dry, and fold so that everyone has clean
sheets when they come. We have had to look beyond digging a trench for the
wires to go underground. We have had to look beyond putting together a bunk bed
that seemed difficult. We have to look into what the Lord is going to do this
summer. God is going to draw these kids to himself here. This place is going to
be safe and instrumental this summer for all of the kids who will come here. I
am excited for what is going to happen this summer. Big picture ministry is
sometimes harder because we don’t get to interact with locals as much, but it
is so worth it in the end. To know that we have played a part in potentially
changing someone’s life because we put together a bed and folded towels and
sheets is enough of a reward.
Not that big picture ministry is my favorite because I love
to interact, but it is cool knowing that I can still have an impact even if I
am not directly working with the people of the country. I pray that you all are
having a fabulous day and hope that as the summer begins you are making time to
love the people close to you and enjoy the blessings the Lord is giving. There
are more changes in store for this season. That will be in my next blog. GET
EXCITED!!! I sure am!!
Much love,
-A
