We’ve been doing lots of manual labor for schools and churches. One day when we were doing landscaping stuff in a public school, all the kids came out and stared at us. I thought it was possibly that we were “mzungus” (white people), or maybe because we were different than the normal people that came through. However, when we were done, the principal called up into his office and offered us lunch. He was a very kind man, and seemed like one of those people that is always happy to see you, no matter what was going on in life. After we made small talk, he give big grin and said, “I want to thank you for all of your hard work. As missionaries, you have done a great service to our school.” We smiled and nodded the same obligatory Christianese (“by the grace of God” or “Just doin’ God’s work…”). He explained further, “No…you do not understand. They are not used to white people doing manual labor. Missionaries from America think that manual labor is above them. You are changing their minds about service in the name of Christ.”
Thank you God for restoring my spirit and using it to show people who God is.
