How to serve

It’s so interesting to come from a culture that values self promotion and putting ourselves first, to a culture that values community and serving others most. The concept is ingrained in the culture, but as Christians it is taken to a new level – one that I have not experienced before. Almost universally, the people we have met here would willingly give the very last scrap of food in their possession if you needed it…or even wanted it. They really seem to understand what it means to live in community, and it is so humbling to live among them. Right now as I’m writing this, there are about 14 locals over here at our house preparing decorations and food for a birthday party for the pastor’s daughter this Saturday. They are laughing and smiling and serving this family with such joy. 

None of these families have much, yet they are so gracious to, double and triple the number of people living under their roof, and gladly accept all the burdens that brings. More to cook for, more to clean up after, more water used, more electricity spent, less sleep for them and their kids, more time driving us around, less time on their internet, less personal space. Not to mention that having 8+ people using a single bathroom comes with some inherent problems considering the limited plumbing. I’ll refrain from more detail, but at one point the toilet was out of commission and Pastor Raul took on a very disgusting task that involved rubber gloves and a bucket…and when we offered to help, he says, “no, it is my absolute pleasure.” We just stood there dumbfounded at his response. 

These people are amazing…and so unlike me. On my best of days, I would not live as selflessly as these do daily. Not that they live this principle out perfectly or that I am devoid of selflessness, but God is teaching me a lot about who I am right now and where He wants to take me…and the distance is great. Some people gravitate to putting themselves down or thinking less of themselves, but not I…I tend to usually lean towards thinking too highly of myself when I am walking in my flesh. So…please don’t feel compelled to write comments below building me up again in the areas God’s trying to take me down a notch or two 🙂 It’s a humbling process that I must go through. Everything God wants to do in me this year is about first letting go. He will pull and stretch and challenge me every step of the way. And even being only three weeks into this journey, God is already doing some major sifting…in me and my team.

It’s fitting that this week started for our team with a lesson about selfishness. “Selfish” is not a word spoken very often where I’m from. It’s not very pc, and I’d go so far to say that it’s considered by many to be rude to say such a harsh word to someone. But you know, sometimes, we need to hear the truth – even if it is harsh…even if it does hurt a bit. Although you would never look at any one of the amazing girls on my team and say one of us is the poster child for selfishness, we could all tell you examples of ways we’ve all seen our own selfishness rear its ugly head these last few weeks. Living in tight quarters trying to be in community with one another will bring that stuff out in a person…always. For what God wants to do in and through us this year, there can be no remnant of the desire to put ourselves first, and it seems to be step one on God’s to do list to bring us to the place of brokenness we need to be in for this year. I joked with my team that I am even struggling with deferring to them for a full cup of ice…I love my ice. It’s such a small insignificant thing, but if I am not ready to lay down that silly desire, would I really give food to someone when I myself am hungry, or offer a shower to someone else when I am dirty…or put on the rubber gloves to do the task that no one wants to do to gladly serve strangers. It’s such a hard lesson to learn, dying to myself…in fact it will probably take me much of the whole year to learn, but this week was a good start.