AKA: How God has been changing my definition of ministry and simultaneously blowing my mind.
It still blows my mind to wake up every morning and realize that I’m in India. As I open my eyes to the sounds of monkeys in the trees and prayers over the town loudspeakers, I can’t do much except chuckle at God a little bit – for bringing me to this beautiful country, for having a plan that’s so much bigger than I could ever imagine, and for keeping me alive and healthy in a country where so many people die every day. Every morning, our translator thanks God that He has allowed us to wake up and live another day. In America, we pray and ask God to restore our health when we’re sick. Being healthy is the norm. In India, people pray and thank God that he has kept them alive. Being sick is the norm. The contrast is pretty striking, and has given me more than a couple moments of pause.
This month, we’re working with a beautiful organization that advocates for women and girls. This organization blesses countless people, and it’s been so fun and encouraging to work alongside the director and compile stories of the women and girls that need help, whether its nutritional or financial assistance or just a friend to play tag with. These women and girls come from every background and religion (mostly Hindu, Muslim, and Christian), and the organization has no religious requirements for participating members. The organization strives to help whoever they can, so there are no Bible studies or discipleship programs or church partnership. A few days into our work here, I had to ask God what was up, because it didn’t feel like we were actually doing ministry. Ministry, in my eyes, has always involved some sort of “spiritual emphasis.” VBS is ministry. Working with a church is ministry. Praying healing over people in the streets is ministry. But compiling stories and hosting an after-school program where we don’t talk about Jesus? That’s not ministry.
Or is it.
These past three days, God has been challenging my idea and concept of the word ministry. Here’s a little bit of what I feel like God has been speaking to my heart: “You see, Joanna, I’ve called you to be my hands and feet. That, dear girl, is ministry. Ministry is you going out there and loving those little girls every day, even when you’re tired. Ministry is you sitting in a woman’s home and listening to her talk about her fears associated with having two daughters and no dowry savings, and you looking her in the eyes and smiling at her and praying over her silently. Ministry is you playing Indian Monopoly with your “host sisters” before dinner and teaching them how to line dance. You, Joanna, are not responsible for playing Savior. That’s my job, and that’s my Name. Don’t exhaust yourself worrying about trying to do my job. Let’s be real… I’m better at it than you are, and I have other things for you to do besides spend time stressing about watering and nurturing seeds. I need you to plant seeds, and in this case, plant them with your actions. But leave the watering to me. You, Joanna, are not responsible for playing Gardener. That’s my job, and that’s my Name. Go into your days exchanging anxiety for the overflowing Joy that I want to give you and use that overflowing Joy to love well. That’s your job.”
I’m so incredibly thankful for the ways that God has gently been revealing Himself to me and teaching me more about who He is and how much He loves. Through my weakness, He is strong. Through my insufficiency, He is more than enough. What a truly good Savior, Gardener, and Father we serve!
[financial update]
PLEASE HELP ME STAY ON THE RACE! I need to fundraise $2,000 more by the end of February! If anyone donates $50 or more this or next week, I’ll send you a postcard from this gorgeous country! Thanks to all who have donated thus far. We’re almost there!
**Thanks to my teammate Sarah Patty for the beautiful picture of the girls we get to love on each and every day!
