Ashley, Me, Nadia, Kip
Our ministry this month is with an organization called “Mission Possible”. While there are several aspects of the organization, our involvement has been with their Christian Conference Center. The center is a beautiful three story building in the little village of Dobromirka. We have what are our “best” accommodations yet…hot showers, beds, heaters, dining room table, industrial sized kitchen, washer and dryer, and space! We have spent our time here preparing the conference center for upcoming seminars. We planted trees, raked and mowed the lawn, washed windows, dressed beds, mopped floors, cleaned out the attic, and more. We finished all the work asked of us in anticipation of the men’s business conference that is being held at the center this weekend.
Friday, 40 business men moved in…and, to create more space, we moved out…which leads me to the heart of this post: our unexpected accommodations.
We were told that we would be spending Friday and Saturday night at a church that was willing to host us. We packed what we thought we might need, and headed out.
Our mottos on the World Race include things like a little ditty (with accompanying hand and leg motions) that goes: “This whole day is full of surprises…ding!” (don’t ask!) and embracing concepts such as “readiness” and holding expectations loosely…or better yet, not having expectations. Well, this weekend has been just one more example of walking in these mottos… and the truth is, it’s good, because this is when I learn the most.
Upon arriving at the church we learned that there were rooms with bunk beds…great! We were ready to sleep on the floor. We also learned that us ladies would have a roommate…her name is Nadia…and she is homeless. Down the hallway, there is another room with six men who are homeless. The church hosts this ministry for homeless individuals to give them a place to sleep and two meals each day. It is beautiful. This is how it should be, right? But this is also different. At home I would never sleep in a bunk bed next to a woman who is homeless, or share a bathroom with six men who don’t smell or look the way that I’m comfortable with…but then I realize in complete indignity at my own pride, that this is THEIR home. This is THEIR space…and THEY have welcomed ME in. The ultimate lesson: ALL of it belongs to God and HE welcomes them…and he welcomes me. This building I’m sitting in right now as I write these words is God’s house…what better place to serve as a sanctuary for his people…ALL his people…those who are “homeless”…and even me…with my sometimes hard heart. Who is pleasing God more…Nadia who offered to wash my dishes last night because as she said in Bulgarian “you are the guest”…or, or me with my pride-filled heart? Oh, Lord…please do more work on my heart.
Psalm 23 has been sweet for me this weekend…God’s word to me through it has almost brought me to tears. He is my shepherd, my rest, my strength, my protector, and my comforter…He knows right where I am, He pursues me, and I will live safely in His house forever. Amen.
