“It’s Ministry, You’re Ministry”
I came on the Race to love and care for others, speak for the voiceless, hold the hands of orphans, befriend widows, love the lovedless, ‘find’ my purpose, listen to God, and explore the world.
Not to be ministered to.
Not to be served.
Not to have a new family.
Not to be cared for.
Not to be loved.
But, I was mistaken. I was wrong. I was especially wrong this month, as I live and minister in and around Kisumu, Kenya.
Without even knowing it, I have needed all of the above.
Without even knowing it, I have needed a family this year.
Without even knowing it, I have missed having friends to care for and be cared by.
Without even knowing it, I have missed my brother-like friends in my life.
But God knew all of this. He knew I needed the love that only my Kenyan brothers bring to my team and I. The ways that these brothers care for us, cook for us, laugh with and at us (especially after I fell in a ditch twice on Sunday), look out for us, and love us still surprises me—even after 2 weeks of it.
There are around 6 of them and they love God and us so much that they are dedicated to making meals for us and keeping us safe. After thanking them the other night, one of them told me in a matter-of-fact tone, “it’s ministry, you’re ministry.” These 20-somethings men have intentionally and sacrificially taken time out of their days to minister to us as we minister to their people.
I still cannot get over it. I have not felt this taken care of in years. I have grown accustomed to taking care of myself and at times, others, but this reversal of roles has taken me by surprise.
I know I do not deserve any of it and yet, I also know that this is a gift and a reminder that I need not be serving all the time, even though I love to. And that God knows how much I’ve missed having friends to laugh and learn with, a house to live in, and good food to share with those I love.
So, as I daily thank God for all of these gifts, I also thank Him for choosing me to not just care for His people in Kenya, but to be cared for by His these same people.
