If someone would have told me that one day I would be working as a lumberjack, I would tell them they were out of their mind. But sure enough, here I am in the Birch woods of Estonia chopping down trees for 8 hours a day. Trees are by far my favorite part of nature, I am absolutely infatuated by them and their beauty. My team thinks I am a weirdo, I often stop them so I can take pictures of trees. When I discovered what our ministry was this month I was not excited. Watching trees fall and hearing whoosh-thump as they hit the ground isn’t my cup of tea.
This work is very hard, physically. Manual labor hours are long and rough! I have been trying to stay positive but was struggling finding joy in this ministry. I have been praying for God to change my heart. Ask and He will respond. God is not only strengthening me physically but mentally and spiritually as well. Each day the work gets easier and more enjoyable. He has given me peace that I am not destroying life but building it. I am a laborer of the Lord. I am following in the previous laborers’ footsteps who made it possible for the Village of Hope to exist. We are clearing the woods to expand and reach more people struggling and in need of Jesus.
I was disappointed because all of our time is spent in the woods instead of getting to know the men in the program but God has shown me that this month we are the body and we don’t have to be building relationships to be showing them love. We are providing them with heat and energy. Our presence and willingness to serve has a greater impact than we know. Every morning the men at Village of Hope journal and say what they are thankful for. I have been doing this as well. I am thankful that I get to spend my days in the woods surrounded by trees. I am thankful that I get to hang out with my team, we each discovered what our piece of the puzzle is and are working well together. We get to work with three Estonian men Margus, Arlec, (used to be in the program but now in leadership positions) and Gunnar; even though there is a language barrier they are very funny and I really enjoy their company. I am thankful for time with the Lord, carrying trees all day allows for a lot of praying and listening to God. When you have a thankful heart you can’t help but feel joy. God has stretched and strengthened me a lot in just one week, I am excited to see what He will do the rest of the month.
God uses times of discomfort to strengthen us. When you are struggling spend some time alone with the Lord, listen to what He is trying to tell you. Look for things to be thankful for, He will move in you and bring you joy!
