This week, we were staying in a motel in the city of Luganville; the capital of the island Espirtu Santo (or just Santo). This week was definitely a challenge for me. It was a struggle to go back to living in a city after island life and I was so physically and mentally exhausted from giving it all the week before. In addition to this, a cyclone was heading in, so it rained almost constantly and unfortunately a lot of our planned ministry fell through due to this. Regardless of these factors, I still really enjoyed doing ministry this week and thoroughly needed the rest that the rain gave us. It was also nice to have electricity and plumbing again.
This week was really unique as everyday, a pair of my teammates got to lead the team. The partners got to plan the ministry for that day, as well as plan and cook all the meals. We were given a budget and some ministry ideas that we weren’t limited to, and it was a really great opportunity to get a little taste of what leading an outreach team would be like. It was also cool to see my teammates personalities reflected in their chosen ministry and meal choices.
Some of our ministry included picking up garbage at the park across from the motel. This actually stirred up a lot of questions as this was a foreign concept to this island. We got to stop and talk to a lot of people, explaining what we were doing and where we were from. We also got to do another clinic in a nearby village, and helped out a lot with the local missionaries (who are absolutely lovely). This included leading Sunday school at a local home-church, helping organize a library and building bookshelves. On our last day there, we got to visit a hospital and pray for the patients and families there. This was a really special day for me, as I got to chat and pray for many beautiful people. I also got to share my testimony with one couple after I prayed for the sick husband. This led to the opportunity for me to share the gospel with them. We had a pamphlet with the gospel explained in Bislama, with a corresponding colourful rope bundle that represented the gospel message. They seemed really interested and were reading the pamphlet intently. We had to leave immediately after that, so I didn’t get the chance to completely see this encounter through, but I’m trusting God that He used me to plant seeds in their lives and I have faith that God is growing these seeds.
This week was quite challenging for me emotionally. I realized that I pushed myself a little too hard the past week living in the village. I am still learning a lot about myself and how I rest, and how much rest I need in balance with ministry. Though this week was hard, I am so grateful for what it taught me. I learned the importance of rest when doing missions. I was very burnt out from serving as I was constantly trying to pour into other people and give and give, but wasn’t allowing myself to receive from others and God. I definitely learned that I can only give what I have, therefore if I want to love people more, I need to receive God’s love and blessings for me. I learned to serve and love in a response to God’s love; not out of guilt or pride. I had forgotten what it had felt to love and serve as an overflow of His awesome and unfailing love for me. I was really grateful for the more quiet and rest times that this week brought, as I got the opportunity to reflect, process and spend a lot more time with my Father.
Comments