Some basics for those of you just now dropping in: My sister and I are on an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries across 4 continents. We’re headed to: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cambodia, and Thailand. The work will range from country to country in partnership with established ministries in each area.
It’s month 9. My team is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In every month, I’ve done portraits for kids. Still, I hesitated before bringing my sketchbook to the refugee camp. I knew it would cause chaos. I knew pages would get torn. There would be fighting over whose turn it was. There’s no way I could do three hundred portraits in two hours, so some kids wouldn’t get one. That would lead to more fights…
On one of our last days of ministry, I decided to go for it. Even still, I left my nice pencils in the van at the last second. And I was right. It was chaotic. I was mobbed. They yelled the whole time, and the line looked a lot like “beat your way to the front.” When I had to leave kids who hadn’t gotten a portrait literally threw rocks at me.
But it was also beautiful. I got to spend time staring into their little faces. I was mobbed, sure, but only with tiny precious people all wanting a better look. They were excited and grateful and happy.
And I felt horrible. I had almost succumbed to that narrative that says “if you can’t fix everything, don’t even try.” That old “they won’t appreciate it, so don’t give it” excuse. It was the same line of thinking that keeps computers from inner city schools and people out of short-term missions. “Not worth it. They’ll squander the opportunity. What’s the long-term effect??”
When you have very little to give, God prompts you to give it anyway. Give when you have compassion fatigue, or when the recipient doesn’t appreciate your blessing. Give when you “could have used it better,” or when you think what you’ve got won’t make a difference. Stop thinking of the results. That’s his job.
The Lord’s way isn’t always the most efficient. Remember, he’s the perfume pedicure guy.
And here’s some bonus art for you. A few of us have been painting murals at the orphanage this month.
