A few weeks ago, I gave a life update on my instagram talking about South Africa and my team, team Jubilee’s, ministry. For those of you who did not see that, let me give you a quick refresh on what my ministry has looked like here in Jbay:
KINGS COLLEGE! Is an elementary/middle school founded by a well known church in the area, Victory Church. They have a charity called Victory 4 All, where you give money in support for multiple schools and daycares they have put in place, because they believe that while equipping these people spiritually is important, so is basic education for their kids. Their goal in all of this as well is to “break the spiral of poverty.” As of now, they have a Preschool, Primary School, special education help, foster homes, and a Skills Centre. Me and my team got assigned to the primary school, Kings College, Mondays through Fridays! We do anything from maintenance to substitute teaching to playing on the playground all over again.
Now that you have a little background, it’s time for a story. Before even going to another country on the race, we are given a week of debrief: no set ministry, just rest and sabbath and adventure before heading off to our next country. Debrief is a time to refill to the point of overflow because of our pouring over the past 2 1/2 months before. During our debrief week in Guatemala, we were split up into teams and encouraged to pray and vision cast for our next ministries in South Africa, even before we knew where we were going. My team and I had the feeling we would be working with kids. While praying, someone got a vision of us with these children as children. Another just sat up and said “Guys, I don’t know why but I have a feeling that whatever we are about to step into is going to be hard to leave.” I personally do not like childrens ministry. I have always just seen it as unfruitful and a waste of time. My mindset towards childrens ministry was seeing them as their age and not their potential with the Lord (1 Timothy 4:12). But, the Lord has shifted the posture of my heart and has created new capacities with children. He showed me my perspective was one of a prideful and immature believer, not a humble and mature disciple. “Maturity is a choice, not an age” is something we were taught in our month long training in Georgia.
So, going into Kings College, I had my heart open to these children, remembering what the Lord had brought to my attention about working with children. I had my eyes and ears opened by a new perspective from Christ. I had conversations with these kids and let me tell you, some of these kids over on this side of the world have been through more than any adult I know. Not only was my heart breaking for these children, but my mindset shifted to the reality of what these kids go through and how mature it really makes you. And since day 1, I have been falling in love with these kids! Its funny because before the race if you would’ve told me that I actually enjoyed the presence of these kids, I would not have believed you. Picture this: every morning at 7:30am, 6 missionary girls hop out of a van, open the gate, and get tackled by hundreds of kids, waiting so desperately for a hug good morning. At the end of the day, same thing, but followed by the “bye” was always “I love you”. These kids wanted to know so badly that they were loved by something as simple as a hug. Getting to hug them and tell them we love them was what left an impact. They knew we loved them, and it was in the smallest ways we showed them. For Valentines day, we got all 410 kids some giant KitKats and hand wrote every letter alongside the candy. But it was just a piece of candy and a piece of paper.
About 2 days ago we had some of the 8th grade girls over at our missions house for some games, snacks, and a movie. It was the last time we would be able to see them before we headed off to our next country. They arrived and ran upstairs. We had costumes set out with all of their favorite snacks and especially the popcorn. We greeted all of them with hugs. We sat and watched them show us their dance moves to their favorite songs. None of us knew the songs because we aren’t from South Africa, but we watched and danced along anyways. We all sat down and watched a movie for a little bit, but ended up not finishing it because they were getting jittery and we wanted to care for them best in the way of letting them have some more fun. We moved the party outside and played some games and took some pictures and raced. A few hours flew by, and it was time for us to part ways. We hugged all of them goodbye, and I decided to ride back with them in the van and drop them off with the driver at their destination points. On the way back, they all balled crying. In a way, It was the happiest thing I had ever experienced. We left an impact. And to be completely honest, I felt like I didn’t do anything. “All we did was invite them over for a movie” was what I was thinking, but it was so much more Than that. It was the past 2 months of us just giving and giving hugs and making handshakes and waving at them. It was the smallest things that lead to such a big impact on these 8th grade girls. I realized I was loving these kids without even knowing it.
I am writing this to say that loving people is the biggest commandment given to us. It is written about 12 times in the Bible very very clearly. There are so many small ways to love people, like a hug or even a KitKat with a letter on it HAHA! But seriously, it is so easy. People know we stand out because of the way we love. Love is constantly producing new fruit and being intentional with others. We should be living in a constant state of love! Better yet, we should be living a lifestyle of love. Loving others is what leaves an impact!! Be intentional today! Care for people well! Have their best interest! Check in with them and their hearts! LOVE WELL TODAY!! Your leaving a bigger impact than you think!
********** BELOW ARE WAYS TO LOVE PEOPLE WELL AND GET INTO THE HABIT OF LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF LOVE:
- Spend time in prayer for those you love
- Ask intentional questions
- Send a random text letting them know your thinking of them
- Small goodie like their favorite candy
- Take them out for coffee
- Invite them to places or into conversations
- Listen to them
- Express interest in things that they are interested in
- Go on a walk
- Hugs!!!
- Send a letter in the mail
- Send them a song that reminds you of them
- Buy the person behind you in the drive throughs meal! Or do it at the grocery store for the person behind you!
- Compliment someone
GO OUT AND LOVE TODAY! PLEASE! IN THE SMALL AND THE BIG! YOUR LEAVING AN IMPACT! PEOPLE NOTICE THE WAY YOU LOVE!
