While I was in Rio and when I first returned from there, I was trying really hard to “process” what was going on, trying to figure out what life-lessons I could take away from the experience…always wondering what were the profound truths about missions and poverty that Jesus wanted me to take away and what lifestyle changes he wanted me to make based on what I had seen and learned. For many months, I had no satisfying answers to my own questions or those that others asked me. I wondered if my time there was really valuable. Did it change me at all? Did it change others?
It has just been in the last few months that I have begun to consciously realize what truths I took away from my time in Rio…truths that apply here just as much as “on the mission field.” Over time, I hope to share a few of those with a prayer that the lessons I learned might be of value to you too.
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First, I grew in my understanding of the value of community, of being “many members but one body” (I Corinthians 12:12-31). I learned that sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be just a one man show. I learned that Christ uses me and my gifts to serve his purposes in ways I often don’t realize…ways that inextricably linked with other servants’ gifts.
When I was part of the “Servant Team” with Word Made Flesh, much of my activities and home life were shared with my two teammates, Kate and Mel. To me, the three of us were about as diverse as three people can come. Mel was a creative genius and go-getter; she came up with ideas and made things happen. Kate was an excellent communicator (in English and Portuguese) and had more compassion than anyone I know; she could really feel what others were feeling and communicate that to those of us without that sense. I…well, I wasn’t sure what I was for a while. I just did what I always do: took care of everyone in practical ways and made sure the house didn’t fall apart. I organized a lot of our meals, cleaned a lot (and pestered the others to do their chores!), and tried to help keep us on schedule. That didn’t feel very special or “missionaryish.” What was I really doing to help the kids on the streets come to Christ? Sure, I helped implement some of the other girls’ ideas, but I felt like my contribution wasn’t worth much…
…until both Kate and Mel lovingly told me how much my role meant to them. How they felt like they would not be able to function if it weren’t for the order and comfort I brought to our home and lives. How their compassion and creativity were properly channeled through my capability.
How humbling.
And how freeing!
What a thrill it was to realize that I could do what I enjoyed and God would use it to enable others to do the work of his Kingdom. What a privilege to see him work in and through me by using the natural abilities he had given me.
The same was true of my work in the “orphanage.” Projeto Vidinha was the place I chose to work twice a week, and I did that on my own since Mel and Kate had chosen a different local ministry in which to serve. P.V. was more like a large family of foster children than an orphanage. A lot like my family actually! So, once again, I took on a lot of the jobs I take on at home: cooking, cleaning, overseeing homework, reading to kids (I could do that in Portuguese better than I could speak it!), organizing crafts and games, teaching a little ballet, changing diapers, etc...
It has just been in the last few months that I have begun to consciously realize what truths I took away from my time in Rio…truths that apply here just as much as “on the mission field.” Over time, I hope to share a few of those with a prayer that the lessons I learned might be of value to you too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First, I grew in my understanding of the value of community, of being “many members but one body” (I Corinthians 12:12-31). I learned that sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be just a one man show. I learned that Christ uses me and my gifts to serve his purposes in ways I often don’t realize…ways that inextricably linked with other servants’ gifts.
When I was part of the “Servant Team” with Word Made Flesh, much of my activities and home life were shared with my two teammates, Kate and Mel. To me, the three of us were about as diverse as three people can come. Mel was a creative genius and go-getter; she came up with ideas and made things happen. Kate was an excellent communicator (in English and Portuguese) and had more compassion than anyone I know; she could really feel what others were feeling and communicate that to those of us without that sense. I…well, I wasn’t sure what I was for a while. I just did what I always do: took care of everyone in practical ways and made sure the house didn’t fall apart. I organized a lot of our meals, cleaned a lot (and pestered the others to do their chores!), and tried to help keep us on schedule. That didn’t feel very special or “missionaryish.” What was I really doing to help the kids on the streets come to Christ? Sure, I helped implement some of the other girls’ ideas, but I felt like my contribution wasn’t worth much…
…until both Kate and Mel lovingly told me how much my role meant to them. How they felt like they would not be able to function if it weren’t for the order and comfort I brought to our home and lives. How their compassion and creativity were properly channeled through my capability.
How humbling.
And how freeing!
What a thrill it was to realize that I could do what I enjoyed and God would use it to enable others to do the work of his Kingdom. What a privilege to see him work in and through me by using the natural abilities he had given me.
The same was true of my work in the “orphanage.” Projeto Vidinha was the place I chose to work twice a week, and I did that on my own since Mel and Kate had chosen a different local ministry in which to serve. P.V. was more like a large family of foster children than an orphanage. A lot like my family actually! So, once again, I took on a lot of the jobs I take on at home: cooking, cleaning, overseeing homework, reading to kids (I could do that in Portuguese better than I could speak it!), organizing crafts and games, teaching a little ballet, changing diapers, etc...
And once again, I wondered how it was really making a difference. And yet now as I look back, I think it did. Those kids heard the gospel preached by others. I hope they saw the gospel acted out in my simple service. There was no set program for my time there each day. As I walked from the bus each morning, I would pray, “Lord Jesus, please give me wisdom to know what my role is today, how I can be of the most service…” Some days I left feeling successful, and some days I didn’t. But ultimately I believe Jesus was glorified because he loved on that household through me---when I surrendered my need for success to him.
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Now, I'm back with my family (with almost as many kids as there are at P.V.!). Christ is continuing to call me to humble service, to use the gifts he has given me (and that I enjoy!) to enable others to grow in him. Sometimes I still feel so small and useless, but over and over he reminds me that so much more is going on than I can see. His Kingdom is advancing...and--by his grace and strength--I am part of it.
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