“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay, small acts of kindness and love.”� Gandalf: The Hobbit
I love this quote from The Hobbit for many reasons, but during our time in Costa Rica it became even more special to me as I’ve watched the simple truth it holds unfold. Our ministry was busy, and on many days we had long hours. We visited schools and churches inviting children to events put on by Conexion, offered medical care and haircuts to the underprivileged and homeless, and also hosted children/ youth events. Our ministry was task oriented, but in no means does this mean that there was not a spiritual aspect to what Conexion does in Costa Rica. Everything we have done, from keeping time for the trampoline, to drawing crosses, and helping people pick out glasses, we do for a greater purpose. Although it seems small and ordinary, our actions make an eternal impact because we do it for God.
Now that my team and I are spending our first week in Nicaragua, I’ve found that our ministry in this country reminds me of our ministry in Costa Rica in the aspect that what we are doing can be easily overlooked, but is vital to making a long-lasting impact. My team and I are partnered with another World Race team totaling to thirteen of us all working to either teach or participate in manual labor. I volunteered for the manual labor team because surprisingly I haven’t gotten the opportunity to do this yet, so over the past three days we’ve mixed concrete, broken down rocks, shoveled dirt, and are building the foundation of one of the buildings on the school we are volunteering in this month.
I’ve enjoyed being partnered with the ministry 516 Now and the impact they are making on the community in Palacaguina. Although about six or seven of us equals to about two Nicaraguan construction workers, I’ve been enjoying these last few days. It’s been interesting to be a part of the manual labor team and know that we are part of a bigger project one scoop of dirt at a time.
The other day, somehow a few of my teammates and I got on the topic of if we’d be willing to die for Jesus. The more I thought about it the more I realized that dying for Jesus is not question to ask, but rather if we are willing to live for Jesus?
I got to wondering how many people who call themselves Christians are willing to live each moment of each day for Him? I’m by no means saying that I have it figured out either, because there are many days on the field where I struggle and I catch myself doing things with the wrong mindset and losing sight of why I’m here to begin with. I’m here out of obedience to God, and I’m here to share His love in whatever way possible. Last month that looked like me leading Twister and keeping time at the trampoline. This month, sharing God’s love looks like shoveling dirt side by side Nicaraguan workers who don’t necessarily know Jesus.
Going back to the quote from Lord of the Rings, many people are quick to give attention to big actions, but can forget about how important the small acts of kindness and love are. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’ve been building a foundation of a building the past few days. The work is hard, and it involves breaking down rock and dirt over and over again, but it’s vital to having a strong building. The same is true for the kingdom of God. He uses the everyday acts of ordinary people wherever He has placed them, and if our hearts are open God will use them to bring His kingdom to earth one small act at a time.
