Two rusted and dirt covered benches found in a dumpster… and a vision from our Pastor.
That’s all it took, for God to answer a prayer…
I had been struggling all week to see how God had really used me these past few weeks. The idea that I hadn’t done enough kept reoccurring in my mind. The schools and ministries have been amazing opportunities, but I was wrestling with not seeing the impact of what we were doing. I started asking the Lord, How have you used me? Show me how my time spent here with and for you has helped this place.
Before I knew it, we were sitting around a table discussing the idea of restoring benches for the courtyard of the church. These weren’t just your average DIY project, we were about to give a full face lift to our favorite quiet spot, and more importantly where the people of the church tend to hang out.
We found two verses that we wanted to use for each bench.
“Come to me, all who weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
Psalms 62:5
So while sitting with the Lord, each verse will be a back-bone of the faith the person sitting there needs.
As we started sandpapering, what was dirty quickly turned into detailed grained wood. Restoration at its finest. Just as He restores our souls, wipes us clean of all of our dirt and leaves us to shine.
Before we covered them with paint, we wrote words of Truth, bible verses, and inspiring lyrics on the clean wood. Engraved with a purpose- for although we are leaving, we wanted our prayers to continue to speak life and wisdom into every person. Declaring victory, redemption, mercy, grace, and freedom over the lives that choose to sit with the Lord. Prayers and blessings from top to bottom for the hearts of those who seek Him.
These benches weren’t just a project, but rather a blessing.
I knew we had made an impact, but God showed us how we could leave a mark!
When I felt as if I wasn’t making a difference, God used me in ways I couldn’t imagine.
So even when you feel as if you aren’t making a difference, God might be using you in ways you aren’t aware of. Then I found words from Chase The Lion, by Mark Batterson and it just hit home.
” [Sometimes] it’s not immediate impact that matters most; it’s the exponential impact, to the third and fourth generations.”
We may have only been able to live in community with these people for a month, but these benches have allowed us to leave a mark for generations to come. People who come to Inglesia Mas Que Vencedores will find peace, comfort, joy and power seated at this place. There will be testimonies shared amongst the people. Lives will be changed. Lives will be saved. It will be a place of refuge, a place of peace, and a place where fear does not stand!
We have left, but these benches will have a place there forever!
Thanks Santa Ana…
Off to Guatemala…
XOXO
Taylor
