As We Go

It’s incredible what can happen in the short time of one month. Like for example, it’s crazy to think that twenty days ago we were in Ecuador and in five more days we will be travelling to Lesotho for our next ministry. In this time not only did we travel from country to country, we travelled across four continents to get here and five days to get here. We flew from Ecuador, South America on Dec. 11th to Georgia and New York City in North America, from there we flew to Amsterdam in Europe and finally all the way to South Africa. We spent two days in the city before making our way to our ministry hosts here in Jeffrey’s Bay. We arrived here on Thursday, Dec. 16th at 4am. 

You might be wondering what’s the point of all this travel if it takes away from hours of ministry that could be happening if we stayed in one place or at least travelled less. It’s okay, I’ve wondered the same thing and it’s incredible what the Lord has shown me we can do in these inbetween allotments of time when we give Him a little bit of intentionality to work through us “as we go.” 

Here’s what it looks like when we’re in what may be considered the “inbetween”. When we stand in airport lines as a Squad we’re frequently asked where we’re going and what we’re doing. In these moments we get to share that we’re bringing Jesus to all the nations. Then when we get to sit on airplanes next to strangers we can make intentional conversations about faith and hope and love. When we arrive in our new destinations there isn’t always someone to pick us up and we call for a cab or an Uber where we again get to share our mission with them. At hostels we have met other travellers and locals who are interested in knowing our plans and more intentional conversations are had. Recently, when we were in Cape Town, we made a new friend, Shari, another young woman here volunteering in a monkey sanctuary. She spent two days exploring with us and we were able to share wisdom and truth with her and encourage her in her dreams and plans for once she returned to her home country of Germany. While we are hiking, visiting penguins,  tasting wine or whatever it may be, we meet people, we’re always meeting people and we’re always able to share who we are and what we’re doing with them.  

I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:12-14 as a beautiful picture of what this looks like in the Lord’s eyes. We get to water the earth with his love. We get to help Him accomplish His purposes on the earth. We get to “go out in joy” as we partake in bringing God’s glory to earth. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

That’s the thing about doing missions “as we go”. As we go, we meet people and as we go, we share what we’re doing and who asked us to do it. We’re sharing Jesus all of the time. Then when we arrive in a specific ministry location we get to again be intentional with the conversations we have. Whether it be with the others we find ourselves living and serving with or the strangers we meet in the community, we focus on bringing light and life, truth and wisdom, Jesus and our good, good, Father to these conversations. 

Just the other day we were sharing in the excitement of our Cab driver who’s expecting his first child. And yesterday after having lunch in town one of my new teammates Cass intentionally boxed up her extra slices of pizza to give away to someone in need of a little extra food. Shortly after leaving we were approached by a man named Peter and were able to share our extras with him. A simple yet intentional blessing. Later we found ourselves sitting on the curb waiting for our cab back to where we’re staying, at the Missions House, after placing encouragement rocks all around town and we just started waving at each car that drove by. 

Surely, we’ve worked in the gardens here at the ministry and we’ve painted and prayed over the desks of the classrooms. But there’s so much more that we’ve done on the daily. It’s these simple acts of intentionality that I really love the most. It’s these things that are so practical in everyday living that bring hope, joy, life and Jesus to those walking and living around us in community. One conversation, one kind gesture can really change the trajectory of someone else’s day or life.

So I’m challenging you this New Year to consider what simple acts of intentionality you can add into your life. Can you have a conversation with your Uber driver or the handyman who came to fix your house? Can you tip your waitress a little extra or leave a little note? Can you buy an extra pastry or coffee and find someone who might need a little pick-me-up to give it to? Can you pray over your community as you take your daily walk? Maybe it’s time to have that life-giving conversation with a co-worker or even a simple “how are you?” to someone you see at the gym everyday. 

I’m praying for you “as you go” about your everyday life and I’m praying that God meets you in the simple yet intentional ways He loves. 

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

XOXO, 

Sav