We are currently able to have church at "half capacity" for an hour. The Spanish church Koinonia is offering "in person" services for the first time since August. As we have our own ministry, we don't attend every week. The shortened services also mean that we don't get prayed for every week. The first week we were able to attend we were brought up front to get prayer with much fanfare. One of the things often said from the pulpit is:
"The Davis Family is doing something that we can't"
At times when we share in the US, people change the phrase a bit "I could never do what you do"
Perhaps in a perfect mindset (mine with the Father) this wouldn't irk me. I think the most difficult thing for me is that our prayer is and has been that others would come along to support and grow the ministry. We need others to walk with us, which is why Jeimmy has been such an integral part of our lives the past 6 months.
Over Easter break, we got to spend time with the Groff family in the jungles of Belize. Two other missionary families serving with a different org came with us. As I talked with both Julie and the two other mothers in the group, I found a common thread. It was in living that our true ministry came out. If we stay foreigners, outside of the culture, ministry happens in a less organic way.
Yes we do ministry. Yes we disciple. Mostly we just live. I have to grocery shop, meal prep, wash clothes, paint the house, water my garden, pay bills, homeschool my kids, write blogs and prayer e-mails.
That being said, I didn't think I could do it either. There were (and are times) where I don't want to do it. I think the phrase from The Free Burma Rangers movie paraphrased here captures it well:
"I don't want to miss God's call. I don't want to turn too far to the right and chase after the "good" but not my calling things, or turn to the left and chase after that which isn't of God. I want to go straight forward pursuing his will and the best for my life."
So...are you unable to move overseas and go on mission? Clearly I am not the authority to decide that. I would say what you are called to always should require a dependence on the Father.
It will always be difficult, probably in ways you didn't imagine before boarding the plane.
I challenge you: find your call, pursue it wholeheartedly, and entrust the Father to come alongside you. Don't limit your options to the ones that seem "doable".
