I find myself waiting for a lot of things overseas. For maybe a van that is over an hour late picking us up, paint to arrive so that we can paint a school, or a computer to open up at the local internet café. Coming from a place like America that is also known as a “fast food nation”, waiting has been something I’ve had to learn to do while on the race. In San Diego, if I want to use the internet all I have to do is sit at my desk and log on or if I want some coffee all I have to do is turn on the coffee pot and it’s ready in minutes. Here it’s a little different. If I want to use the internet I first have to decide on whether I want to risk my life on a boda boda or take a thirty minute walk into town. If I want a cup of coffee its much more than flipping a switch on a coffee pot, it requires putting charcoal on a “giko”, letting the fire get hot enough then boiling the water for twenty minutes so its safe to drink. Things just take a little longer to accomplish here. In the midst of all the waiting around it’s easy to get frustrated and not want to do anything at all.
A couple of days ago Pastor Johnson invited Brandon, Katie, Tangi and myself to join the worship team for practice. We went and at first we sat through a few songs mostly because they weren’t sure if we were just going to watch or sing along and we weren’t sure if they wanted us to watch or sing along. So as we sat, I asked Dad to give me a word for someone thinking, “That would be fun”. Then I felt Him say, “If I give you a word are you going to give it away?” I said, “Of course!” So He picked out a lady, whom I don’t even know her name, she was putting out chairs for the service the next day. I remembered seeing her earlier in the week on her hands and knees mopping the whole sanctuary. I felt like the Lord wanted her to know that He noticed her, just like I had. That sometimes it may seem like all she does is overlooked and insignificant but that He saw it all and that it is more significant than she could ever imagine. Immediately I began to question. “Lord, what if she doesn’t speak English? What if she’s too busy?” He lovingly asked me, “Do you want to hear my voice better?” Well that was enough; I pretty much jumped out of my seat and went straight to her. Turns out she understood English perfectly and a huge smile came across her face and I trust the Lord touched her heart. Soon after, we joined the worship team in singing, dancing and intercession and had an amazing time.
So many times in the bible Jesus allowed for interruptions. He healed on the Sabbath, He told parables on random mountain tops, He cast demons out of people as He walked to lunch and He even turned water into wine at a wedding! I’m seeing more and more that God is ALWAYS at work. That maybe the reason the van is over an hour and a half late is because the children outside the gate need to learn the song “Making Melody” or the reason there’s confusion between the worship team and us is because that one lady needed to be encouraged. So my encouragement to you is to ask the Lord. If you find yourself waiting in a long line at the supermarket or waiting for hours in the doctor’s office just ask the Lord why the interruption has come. He’s always at work and He’s just waiting for you to offer yourself for His use.
