Month 4 is almost over already and all I can think is “where did the time go?” This month I had a team change, Ohana split up. Aubrey (our amazing Alumni Leader) headed to the Alumni team, the other women formed another all-woman team, and TJ, Hudson, and I teamed up with the rest of the men on our squad (Grant, Jason, and Tom) for some “manistry”!
What is “Manistry”?
Manistry is a month where the men get to come together for ministry but it is also so much more. It’s a time where we, as men of God, can come together to challenge, build up, and speak into each other’s lives. We speak into the struggles that we face individually and as men, build up the skills and talents we each have, and challenge each other to be leaders in the Spirit and to act like Men of God.
What have we been doing?
Some farm work!
This month was another Ask The Lord (ATL) month for us and we have seen him do incredible things. We were connected with a local church the first week and met a missionary from Paraguay. He connected us with a local farmer that was a Christian and had work for us. All sorts of odd jobs; from carrying sugar beets into a shelter to breaking down some yurts, from helping dig holes for a cattle feeding trough to helping with odd jobs on a house they are building. We have been able to get in some good work but more than that, we have gotten to share meals with the family and tell them our testimonies.
Working with student ministry!
We were also connected to a local student ministry and have been able to help some with them. This has included going to a home bible study/worship night, helping to host an “open mic night”, and playing basketball with them each Saturday. You may ask if playing basketball is really ministry? I would say it is one of our most effective ministries. By playing sports with them, we are able to connect with them and get them to open up more. Then, we invite them out for food after and get to know them better. Sometimes we share our testimony or just invite them to other events with the ministry.
Being interruptible!
Most of ATL is just being interruptible, being available to share the Love of God to all that you meet. To the people you are sharing a Hostel with, the taxi driver that says “No” when asked if they speak English, the random people you meet at church, the people asking for money outside the market, everyone!
However, as much as we have been serving I feel that the way I have grown has been so much more! Learning more about what the voice of God sounds like, walking deeper into surrender of everything, and seeing where pride has taken hold in my life. These are just a few of the ways that I have grown over this past month.
