So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:5-8 (NIV)
Every mission trip is unique and most of it is due to the different team members. While we all want to serve however we can, we each have a plan of how we would like to spend our week. One trip, a woman brought dozens of handmade quilts to present to each child. She wanted time set aside to cover each child with a quilt while they slept. Another friend works with the gardens and the bees. Over time, she developed a bond with Basilo the gardener bringing him seeds and bee keeping supplies. Each trip, she comes with a list of chores to do outside keeping the garden weeded, checking on the chickens and setting up the bee hives. Another friend has a ministry to photograph the children. Unlike most American children who grow up being photographed in formal school portraits several times a year and whose parents have access to cameras to document special moments in their lives, children at the Malnutrition Center do not have that luxury. My friend brings her camera each trip as well as a photo printer. She takes pictures of the children, prints them and puts them in albums or file folders so that when they do go home, they and their children will have a record of how they grew while at the center. I have my own purpose looking for every opportunity to serve Nanny Christy. Others come to paint, do maintenance or construction. Some want to work in the kitchen. Others prefer to help only with the babies or older children. We all have our preferences when we arrive and some of them are very different from each other. But, when we begin to work together, our own personal goals are often set aside to meet the immediate needs of the children or nannies. Most all of the people I have worked with are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the Malnutrition Center is a place of love and encouragement. It is interesting to watch the team come together each week as we work as the body of Christ. Some hands plant seeds, wash dishes, change diapers. Some mouths sing songs, teach Bible stories. Some arms cuddle children, gather laundry, and hug a nanny. Some feet dance or run. Laps are a place of refuge and rest. But, none of us are the head. That role is reserved for Jesus Christ who we serve. At His direction, we come and at His direction, we take on whatever task He lays before us. Sometimes, we have to set aside our own desires, but sometimes, He grants us the work that we hope to do. For me, this week was one of service to Nanny Christy, but because we had a small team, it was also a time for getting on the floor with the children, loving them, singing with them, playing with them. It was the best of both worlds as I worked alongside Christy and loved the children. And most importantly, I met some wonderful likeminded people all willing to serve in whatever way God called them to do.
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