I find sometimes I am so busy learning and walking through
things that it isn’t until I take a step back to process and realise all I’ve
learned, okay … let me get more specific. They stress so much on the race that
“everywhere you go, you are on mission” or “we give you set ministry but it
doesn’t end there.” I’ve heard statements like that over and over again. I just
nodded along in agreeance; this past month in Zambia however is when the truth
finally hit. WOW! My entire being, every aspect of my life is a ministry,
everything I do; everything I say should be done for the kingdom. Our hosts
really lived this well, they are a young couple; about a year after they were
married they moved to serve in the middle of nowhere Zambia. Even before that from
the stories they would tell I can see that they were so caught up in living a
life of ministry. Our “set ministry” some days would simply involve going out
and finding people to talk to or serve which definitely branches off of all of
that which has stretched and grown me so much. I now find myself seeking after
ministry wherever I go, I find myself thinking, “Oooo, I could go talk to that
person, they look lonely” or “Maybe I could help this lady prepare her dinner.”
Let me tell you this sweet story that happened while I was
at debrief. After breakfast our first day, Elisabeth and I decided to stroll
through the village along Lake Malawi. I noticed some children and went over to
say hi and to see what they were doing. We ended up playing in the lake with
them; doing summersaults, splashing each other and singing you are my sunshine
(how cute). Quickly this developed into a large following of children who ran
into the water to join us. We couldn’t
communicate a lot due to the fact that they didn’t speak much English and I
definitely don’t speak Chichewa but we had a grand time none the less. One of
the girls along with the 20+ other children, lead us, hand by hand on a journey
back
to show us their home in the village. How special it was to see the
community they live in and not just the superficial touristy area. We had to
part for lunch but don’t worry, the story doesn’t end here. Afterwards I was
heading to take a rest when my new friends found me, we sat in a circle under a
tree on the beach and they ended up intricately braiding my hair and teaching
me a clapping game. Everyday afterwards for the whole week they would scream my
name and run to me and we would spend time together. These kids are so sweet
and I am so glad for the opportunity I got to meet and hang out with them and
show them love when it would have been so easy to pass them by.
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I want to encourage you to be where your feet are, look
around and love people well!
Love,
Sydney
