I’ve been writing and praying a lot about finding the beauty, the purpose , and the fruit of this ministry. I don’t want an attitude of boredom or exhaustion. I want an attitude of gratitude, of peace, of love and appreciation.
This week has been a change of pace at our ministry sight. When we showed up Tuesday, and half the teachers were missing, we were told they’d be out for the rest of the week. We were also informed that we’d be repainting the day care’s main mural. The past few days have been spent chipping paint off a wall so we can later prime and repaint a brand new design. We now must split our time between serving the leadership of the day care, and tending to the children. It’s a bit of a balance, and some team members worry about what our sponsors and communities back home might think about the purpose of our ministry.
However there’s something beautiful I’ve been able to see this week. Some members of the team are frustrated with our work, and I can understand why, but last week I prayed that God would change my attitude, and would give me His eyes for this mission, and He has in a big way.
I honestly have not felt the same agony or frustration this week, and I’m incredibly grateful. I’m also well aware that it is not my own doing, but Jesus giving me His heart and His vision. When I’m feeling exhausted playing with the kids for the sixth hour straight, or wiping boogers off dirty noses, I get the chance to stare into these kids big, gorgeous eyes, and I see the Kingdom. I don’t really know how else to explain it, but it truly feels like I see Jesus when I look at them.
The Lord talks endlessly about His love for the poor and for the children, and when I’m sitting there surrounded by these children, I’ve never felt closer to the Kingdom in my life. It’s an incredible feeling, one I’ve never before experienced, and don’t really have the words to convey it.
All I know is, when the work should feel boring and mundane, it’s not, I still have a smile on my face, because I feel like I’m closer to Jesus than I’ve ever been before, and I don’t want to leave His side.
Photo Cred: David Sadowski
