4 days. 3 nights. 21 kids. 11 racers. 1 church. 3 languages. 0 languages in common. What happens now?
The setting:
Picture the American small town in its hay-day minus the neon marquee and with a European countryside twist. That’s our town, Backa Topola, Serbia. It’s a peaceful place where everyone rides bikes and tasty ice cream is $.25 a scoop. The youth hang out in the park at night and a great latte is less than $1. Did I mention most of the white cement houses have roses out front that are in bloom?
The ministry:
We’re sleeping above a small church and helping with their kids camp. The kids sing, have bible lessons, crafts, swimming in the lake, and plenty of games. For 4 days and 3 nights we’re surrounded by kids speaking Serbian and Hungarian…but not English. So I busied myself in the kitchen with dishes and any cleaning that needed to be done. However, I still found myself surrounded by kids I couldn’t communicate with. (Believe it or not, with everywhere I’ve been, this is the first time I haven’t been able to communicate with the kids even a little.)
The revelation:
I found myself washing dishes one day (which, for me, is an incredible act of service – I’d rather clean bathrooms) and talking to one of my teammates. In our conversation I was reminded of a word I had received from the Lord a few months ago. God was teaching me about ministry as a lifestyle, an intentional lifestyle. I found myself with a lot of questions. God and I talked about it. I believe it went something like this…
As I live in his character and his love more and more, I find myself more sensitive to his leading. It’s as if he has begun to highlight people, places, and actions. I might be just a feeling or a random passing thought, but it’s his leading.
Instead of sitting and waiting for a grand flashing marquee showing us where to go and what to do, he simply asks us to live as he did and he’ll take care of the rest. It’s so simple. Why haven’t I seen it before?
Ok, back to 21 kids I can’t talk to. I can’t talk, but I can share Jesus’ love and character. No, this isn’t a new idea. No, it’s not something I haven’t heard before. However, I never had the revelation or the realization of the power in living as Christ did. As they left camp today they hugged us and some even cried. Even though we may not have been able to say more than 3 words to some of them, they felt loved. Thank God for love that transcends words and hits the core of our very being.
