This month has been hard for me, I miss Bosnia, my family, my friends, and my job, but there is still work to be done. Every month is the same, it takes a few days to acclimate and then you’re off and running into the ministry.
Last month it didn’t feel that way, it felt like family and it felt like life. Everyday I woke up and I knew that something purposeful would be happening; whether that was talking to math students about God, talking with old people at the assisted living home, hanging out with the resident Afghani family, or ministering to refugees and immigrants. Honestly, I miss that so much. Last month I felt part of something big and long term, like a missionary on the field with Jesus by my side and a family of believers to back me up.
This month had the same beginning as other months, we came in; acclimated and have been going after the task at hand. Not making my attitude any better… the ministry here is a little more mundane. We are organizing and folding clothes for second hand shops that the church runs, we are imputing books into excel to form the churches library, and we are helping out in a number of other ways around the church.
Last month it felt like I was driving a Corvette going and blowing and running the world, to this month trading in my Corvette for a Kia Soul.
I know there is a difference to be made here and I know that we are a huge blessing to this church but it still just feels hard. These are the times that I have to remind myself not only that i need to just do it! and stop whining. This is actually the most realistic ministry to what i would experience at home, just showing the love of Christ in an everyday setting. It doesn’t matter if I am praying with an old lady in a tent or having a good attitude while counting the copies of Theology of the New Testament in the church library, it only matters what my heart is behind it.
If I’m not doing things with love its all pointless.
This month has turned into a good “check yo self” month, if I cant go through these mundane tasks with a heart of love and diligence, how am I going to be a light to those I work with at home, how am I going to sustain every amazing thing I have learned on this trip if I cant sustain it here on the trip!
So no matter where you are in life whether you’re sorting food at the food bank, checking groceries, mending fences, or selling clothes do it with love and know that God can use you wherever you are you don’t have to go around the world to do His work.
-Ryan
