A Peaceful Day...

Today has been an oasis – a much needed rest. Spent most of the day at the GOA offices and was able to access email/internet for most of that time. Joined the GOA staff for a meeting – and met with a gentleman who organizes all ground transportation for our upcoming Heart for Africa trip for a couple of hours ironing out all the final details. Then ended the day joining Joyce Thagana, my hostess, in her church small group.
Today was a day filled with tasks and light conversations. And I learned something.
I’m at home with the tasks – that’s my thing. Give me something tangible to accomplish and more often than not – I’ll find a way to make it happen. The past several days have not been “task” days. They’ve been ministry/service days. The difference has come clear to me today. With ministry – you have no real control of the outcome and the results will most likely not be measurable immediately. With tasks – for the most part --- you can control (to a degree) the outcome of your efforts or at least adjust your approach in order to accomplish the needed results. And you can certainly assess whether your task has been accomplished.
Ministry means God is in complete control of what you say, where you go, all the variables are in His hands ----- and the outcome is His too --- to be measured by Him alone. And it is exhausting physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I minister at home --- but in a different way. All my comforts surround me. And I can always walk away from the phone or computer for a break – and have an extra cup of coffee sitting on my sweet front porch swing. Or I can be sure to “plan” my service to others in such a way as to still be able to have my times of renewing and restoration. Not here. It is endless and overwhelming. And even if you do “take a break” there’s no front porch swing surrounded by sweet smelling flowers, fresh air, and singing birds – at least not in Nairobi.

God bless these people who live here ---- and all over the world where ministry is their daily work. Where the itinerary is not in their control and the outcome of their work may not be measurable for years.

Thank you Lord for showing me another weak area in me ---- and therefore more awareness of your unending patience with this daughter of yours.