This is the second week of teaching 5 Day Clubs. I feel so honored to do what I do.
I didn't really want to go this Monday morning, I was feeling really run down by negative thoughts and concerns about being a missionary in Australia for a year. I felt run over by people I really love and didn't want to serve God that day when I didn't feel protected by Him. This didn't last long for a couple of reasons.
One. Kids live out of joy, generally, something makes them sad they sit to the side and after a little pout they are right as rain again. They love to be with you because you are there. I don't have to do anything besides play tag with them, but I get the awesome chance to go deeper with them and share the love of Jesus with them.
Two. When I take the effort to forget about myself and do what I am asked to do God usually brings me joy as a gift, or that's the way I like to look at it. I don't think I ever took a second to say ok now I will be happy with my happy face and do a great job. I just started and receiving love from kids and then feeling Gods love through what my team was teaching.
Three. I feel privileged to have the option to tell these kids about God, them and their families are modern day heroes.
I'll explain three a bit more. I am referring to one club in particular. I will try and make it as nondescript as I can. I don't know the privacy stuff too well. Anyways. This one club is for displaced families. I don't know most of their stories but they are from all over, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Our host told me one of the families had been in America for 3 months, they were previously missionaries in a closed country. They experienced persecution and even having their house burnt down. I don't know if the house was the catalyst to move or something that happened right before they left but either way that is real suffering for the name of Jesus.
I was feeling sorry for myself that not everyone was giving me a pat on the back for wanting to be a missionary in Australia. This family has left all they know to find peace and refuge in a crooked and depraved generation. They shine like stars in the universe and they humble me immeasurably.
Today after club their father, I assume, came by to pick them up. I felt so honored to know his children and be around someone who must have fought for the gospel like him. I so badly wanted to introduce myself and say something, I don't know what, to him but I chickened out. I felt like I was meeting a celebrity. Cotton mouthed and I was too ashamed to actually go up to this warrior of the faith. I am inspired by the tenacity and grace he must have and all that he and his family must go through. I am humbled and reminded that I am just a servant of God and I want to give all my rights to Him. The ones that say I can have a pity party and expect to get what I see others have.
Thinking about this so much moves me to quietness and contemplation and reverence. Thanks be to God that he has blessed me with so much. I appreciate my family for all their sacrifices and love. I am so blessed.
