I love the fact that Jesus was so unpredictable, but He did nothing except what the Father was doing. I have found in Africa that ministry can not come as an organized package with instructions. Some days you are going to the hospital to “pray for the sick” but then you see a women outside crying and the Father says go to her… you find out that her 20 year old daughter just died of AIDS and she is left with her 3 children. What if you just past her by to do “your ministry?”
Ministry here doesn’t look the same and it doesn’t start and end on your terms. Yesterday morning we got up to take a run (more like fast walk) and found a women picking up corn kernels on the ground. She had been there for 2 hrs. already picking up these kernels in the dirt that were scattered for miles. Her children brought them home in a wheelbarrow and didn’t realize the bucket had spilt. We stopped to help, because those small pieces of corn (to be honest in America most of us would just leave them in the dirt) fed her chicken that would feed her family for that month. We were able to put “our agenda” to the side and do a small thing to stop and say “you matter and Jesus loves you.”
I am beginning to see that it is in the little things that the Kingdom of God is being built. I think it is easy to get caught up in the big things, but the word of God says the kingdom of God is like a small mustard seed. If we don’t stop to help plant that small seed we will never see it grow into something big… His kingdom.
Lord, I want to do what the Father is doing. May my heart be in tune to hear your voice and respond with a willing spirit. If I find you picking up kernels in the dirt than I will meet you there.
Thank you so much for keeping up this blog, Marissa. Everytime I read one of your entries it inspires me to live a more meaningful life. You are a beautiful person, both inside and out. I thank you, the people of Africa thank you, and, most importantly, God thanks you for everything you are doing. I miss you!!!
ditto to the above in keeping up w/ us. we get caught up in the day to day, “our” big picture. thanks for keeping his perspective fresh before his church. thanks for being open to the unpredictable and thanks for being you!!
Marissa,
Beautiful! I loved what you wrote – you “paint” an accurate picture of what life is like ministering in Swazi… I couldn’t have said it better! In fact, I may quote you as I share what often times feels to me near impossible to articulate – the joy & privilege it is to minister in Swaziland. I love you girl, Jacci Z
Girl! You have a wonderful gift of allowing others to see Jesus in and through you! I know that when you leave Swazi it will be better because you were there! Keep lifting the name of Jesus!
You are loved!
Whenever I get an update from you, I think of my job at Child Advocates. I can see from what you are writing, how much you are learning to follow God’s lead and not your own. So many times I had to do things “not in my job description” but they gave me the most joy. I am glad to see you are finding this out. I get so embarrassed to think of ALL we have here and how unthankful we are. I wonder how this all has happened???
I love you, Mom
It is with a greatful heart that I here what you are saying as you perform God’s work in all those things that matter to him. The simplicity of life as you now see it in Swazi opejs up our eyes and hearts to do what God really wants us to do. He loves what you have been doing for those who have no hope and have needs that I cannot comprehend. I love you every minute of ,y life. God hold your hand and never let go.
DAD
AMEN!!! That could have been one of the best days in Swazi. I love you and I am glad to be here with you!
H
Now I know what the Good Samaritan must have looked like…you! How many times have I missed what God REALLY wanted from me because I was so busy doing “His work?”
I can’t wait till you and “feather” get home and bring a small portion of what God has taught you to N.C.
You are still loved and missed!
Scott
I wish you could label your pictures. I want to know where each child is from and where each landscape is.
Dear Marissa,
You are blessed to notice God’s calling in each moment of Now. Love, JoAnn