We returned from the mission field last week, and now are back to the everyday routine, except with a whole new outlook on the work. Knowing what we’ve been a part of and what is being accomplish on the field is one thing, seeing it with your own eyes is another. I always knew that behind the power points, pictures and stories, there were real people but now I know what kind of people are behind them. People with tears, laughter, hopes and dreams and faces with lines on them that tell stories. It’s been a real eye opener.
Yes, I’d been overseas before but I did not see the work of God in action like I did this time. We saw many things, heard lots of honking from unorganized traffic and experienced a whole new world in comparison to North American life. Through the heat of each day, from one destination to another we had much time sitting in a vehicle and time to think about all we were seeing. It begged the question, what on earth am I here for? Am I going to build my kingdom here in the sand or live for the one True God and His Kingdom? Creation groans for the redemption of Jesus Christ. Am I willing to yield myself to God and be used by Him to impact the world with His love? Yes, because Jesus paid for my freedom with His blood, I owe Him my life.
One of the things that impacted me most was seeing the Widow’s ministry. A group of widows were gathered under tarps when we arrived. They all sat on the ground but they had put chairs out for us to sit on. They greeted us with flowers and much affection. Then, a few of the widows shared their testimonies. As one as one was finished sharing her testimony another would stand up, then another. It was touching because all they wanted was a voice and someone to hear them. I can’t imagine myself in their place. I hadn’t thought much of the deep scars on their lives and what it would be like for them to lose their husband. But as they shared they had to fight tears because they recalled the memories as though they were yesterday when their husband didn’t return home again. Now left to fend and provide for the family, forced to earn a living by daily labour for other villagers, life itself became a burden.
But that wasn’t how things remained. Our dear Sisters of Compassion and brothers were sent to share the hope of Christ with these precious women and to care for them. To help them with domestic work and make a way for them to have a community together with one another and with God at the centre. It wouldn’t have happened this way had someone not been sent to share the Good News with them. God’s love stooped down and met these precious widows and their children where they were at and met all their needs. He cares for widows deeply and tells us in His word to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction (James 1:27). What’s on my Father’s heart ought to be on my heart, not out of duty but because He loves, I also love. What a boundless joy to be a part of touching the lives of the people in Asia with the love of Jesus now, and seeing love in action. The harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are still few (Luke 10:2), there’s much work to be done.