Let’s get right to it….China was nothing like I expected it to be or hoped to experience. I was stretched in different ways and the definition of ministry keeps evolving.
My team, Relentless, was given the ministry host Roundabout. Roundabout hands down is one of the best run thrift stores I have ever experience and was impressed with their process. They took in new donations daily and by the end of each day it was picked apart, sorted, and majority of it on the shop floor by the end of the day. The location was perfect being in the suburbs of China near huge communities full of expact employees. So the donations were generally really nice items and the locals filled the store daily so inventory was constantly being turned over.
One quick side story. I was asked to take a shopping cart load of newly priced items from the warehouse out to the floor and re-stock some shelves. I was thinking “oh, this is going to be a fun easy task.” Sure enough once I hit the shop floor my shopping cart was attacked by customers like it was black friday. Before I knew it, every single item out of the cart was taken by a customer and I did not even have the chance to put one item on the shelf.
All the proceeds from Roundabout goes to charities or helps pay for medical treatment for children in foster homes. Hands down awesome organization and I am impressed with how they run things….just one thing got to me…..they were not Kingdom focused.
Here I am on an 11 month mission trip, partnering with other ministries to come along side of them to help in whatever way possible.
I would be lying to say I was truly joyful to be there. Yes, I showed up with a smile on my face, full of energy, and did everything asked of me to the best of my abilities. But on the inside my thoughts were negative as most of my day was spent in an overcrowded book room, sorting and organizing thousands of books. And I was not even working along side a local.
This went on for about 5 days or so when I finally said enough is enough. I laid out all of frustrations before God, as openly and honestly as possible. I held nothing back and just released all of my negative thoughts towards Roundabout and why on earth would the World Race send a team to a host that is not focused on building the Kingdom. Yes, it was a hard prayer but He already knows your heart so why not own up to it.
A couple days later I was waiting to catch the bus to Roundabout and talking with Nathan the question came up, “If Roundabout was a Christian organization, would I be happier about working there?”
Initially I said, “Yes, but only if I was on the outreach part of delivering goods to charity and having the opportunity to share testimonies and teachings with others.”
Nathan pushed back with, “Well would you be happier if you were doing the exact same task…sorting books?”
Immediately I said, “No.” The rest of the day I wrestled over this conversation and why or why not I would be “happier” based on the mission statement of an organization. God reminded where my joy should come from, in Him alone and following His will.
That night and the next morning I cried out to God desiring to do His will of sharing the Gospel to someone. To bring His grace and truth to someone who has never heard of it before. Confessing that I have been placed at Roundabout for a divine purpose and I was spiritually ready to fulfill the task marked out before me.
Sure enough that next day a new volunteer showed up at Roundabout and was assigned the book room. I rejoiced inside knowing this is God answering my prayer. We started talking and exchanged stories of how we both got to Roundabout and seeked some common ground between us. By the end of the day I realized I had great conversation but definitely did not fulfill my part of the prayer.
That night I was pretty hard on myself. Realized God did His part in answering my prayer and I dropped the ball. The exact thing I was desiring, I did not do. So the next morning in prayer I rejoiced in God’s faithfulness and humbly asked for a second chance.
God delivered! Showed up at Roundabout and there in the book room was another new volunteer. We swapped stories how we both ended up at Roundabout. Inside I was praying, “Please God let this conversation turn to glorify you.” As soon as I finished he asked me, “Why on earth would someone leave America to volunteer at a thrift store in China?” I was stoked, the door had been open and obediently I took the opportunity to glorify God and how He is the reason for the things I do.
I wish I could say this story ends in salvation in a book room. But I can’t. A seed has been planted in this man’s heart and I pray that one day it will come to harvest.
No matter where you are or what you are doing God has a plan for you. Do not let a company mission statement detour you from seeking God’s will. Aligned yourself with God’s desires and walk in obedience.
Be Bold in your prayers and continue to fight for opportunities to share the Gospel.
Be Intentional in spending time in God’s word.
