The vision of the World Race is to empower the Church to build Kingdom wherever we go through intimacy, community and mission.
It’s a beautiful vision statement – one that I would have, in the past, read, nodded and mumbled an “amen” for.
If there’s anything that I have learned since being on the Race, it’s that these vision-casted concepts (intimacy, community and mission) are not just Christian ideals to be read about. They have to be pursued…fought for.
This month in Vietnam, this pursuit looks a little different than the average month. In fact, it more prepares us for life in America. Rather than partnering with a local church or organization, my team and I wake up every morning and ask the Lord where he wants to take us.
We are to be interruptible and keep a “yes” in our spirit as we go to the store, walk through the streets or sit in a coffee shop. Vietnam is a month without any formal structure but rather asking the Lord how he wants to lead us.
Therefore, each day has obviously looked different. Some days he leads me to something most people would actually consider “ministry,” but other days he’s led me to simply spend time with him.
Is that enough?
For instance, today when I prayed, the only thing he told me was to spend one complete, uninterrupted hour with him. It was incredible. I found a silent place, read my Bible, made a list of praises for him and then listened to him speak to me. He revealed so many wonders, and it was a time I wouldn’t have traded for anything.
But as my team and I have pondered what ministry truly is this month, the Lord revealed something to me.
I am pursuing intimacy, community and mission to empower the Church and build the Kingdom of God.
If I am not being intimate with God, how on earth can I run well with my community and on mission?
I must know my Heavenly Father. Give him space to work inside my heart. When he is filling my spirit, not busyness or to-do lists, my eyes and ears are open to see and hear how the Spirit is moving. Conversations with those I interact with are more confident and seasoned with salt. His presence is all the more clear.
Not only is he teaching me about intimacy and ministry, but he is also teaching me so much about his character as a Father.
Yes he is a Father who disciplines his children and allows them to experience trials (a narrow view of him I’ve struggled with), but he is also a Father who gives good gifts and loves giving us the desires of our hearts.
Before coming to Vietnam, I prayed for an opportunity to serve him through serving coffee. After arriving, the first person I asked about a possible coffee shop or cafe immediately directed me to a place that he knew was short-staffed.
Now a server at Happy Heart Cafe twice a week, I get to interact and share Jesus with customers from all around the world, build relationships with my amazing coworkers and make all the coffee drinks my heart desires! Fun fact: steaming milk is not as easy as it looks. Sorry to the customer who had to drink my first cappuccino.
He knew the desires of my heart, and my coffee addiction, and opened the doors for the thing I had prayed for. God is not a wish granting Wizard of Oz, nor are his answers to our prayers always “yes,” but this month God is allowing me to do things I really enjoy. Whether that’s making coffee and building relationships or getting the best and cheapest pedicure I’ve ever had and talking to the woman, I’m learning that life is ministry and ministry is life.
In everything I do, every person I speak to, I am to glorify him.
P.S. God is always good, but man did he surprise us with a gift…A THANKSGIVING MEAL! We found a restaurant serving Thanksgiving dishes. I will definitely be crying happy tears as I consume my pumpkin pie.
