Today was another first for me -- I cried at the checkout. I was a mess. As I was finishing my transaction in a store, the employee asked if I was visiting. I told her that weve lived in country for almost four years, and she asked what we are doing. I began to explain Childrens Cup and the ministry were a part of, that were missionaries, and I mentioned that we plant and partner with churches, among other things. She said, So youre based out of the Church (capital c), and I nodded. Sihle, a Swazi in her mid-twenties, looked at me, a little caught off guard, and said, Im trying to find the words to tell you... She began to explain that, without family, she was raised in an orphanage her whole life in Swaziland. She said, I know all about what you people {missionaries} do... and you do a lot of really good things. I know its hard, and the need is so much sometimes, but its really good. Dont give up. Keep doing it. As I cried, I said... So then you know Jesus? Sihle said, Very much so. I love Him. He SAVED ME. She then apologized for making me cry. I was seriously a mess -- it struck something deep within me. To receive encouragement from a national who has has been impacted by Jesus through a missionary, and to know that her trajectory has been completely changed, is pretty overwhelming, even though the conditions in the serving country seem so insurmountable. Sometimes a missionary isnt able to see the seeds that have been planted and impact that has been made -- and so we just find ourselves trusting with our eyes on Him, doing our best to keep obedient with each and every step. However, may this be encouragement to every single missionary I am privileged to know, both stateside (in your neighborhoods and communities) and abroad, spanning the globe. In the words of Sihle, Dont give up. Keep doing it.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:19:56 +0000