A servant's heart

I never intended for this blog to be just about my trip to Thailand.  But, when I returned I struggled with what to write, since pretty much everything I thought about included thoughts on the trip.

In real life, I struggled with how to explain what had happened and what I was feeling.  To top it off, each day, I struggled to choose courage - let alone write about it.

So what caused this post?  Two weeks ago my father-in-law asked me to speak at his ABF hour about a servant's heart and how my idea of serving changed because of the trip to Thailand.


Afterwards, I thought, I need to share this - so here we are.

I hope that you learn something new, about yourself, about serving...

Many of us say that we serve.   We teach Sunday School, work with Children, take care of our church property, or provide Meals for those in need.  And we do.  I do – I lead our children’s team every Sunday morning, I take meals to families that need them, I do whatever my church asks.

This year – I re-learned what it means to serve.  A year ago,  I was approached by a member of my church – her words, well to be honest, they scared me.  “God told me to tell you about a trip I am taking….”   Over the next few weeks, as Lisa and I spoke, I researched, and I prayed – I knew God was telling me to go to Thailand with Lisa.  Once we made the decision, it was as if all of the little tugs, hints, and pushes were coming together to say “See, this is what I was trying to tell you.”

 

I couldn’t really picture how this would go and how it would change me.  In retrospect, I can see some very specific items that I would like to share with you.

1.           Don’t assume you know anyone’s story –
We met Nic (17), Jewel (16), and Bella.  We learned that for many of these girls, they were doing what was expected of them.  In their culture, their religion, it is up to the girls’ to support the family.  In anyway they can.  Yes, some of these girls may have been there voluntarily, but because they didn’t know of any other way.

Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Photo by Connie Rock

2.           You can understand their story-
     Bella, who was not the normal “skinny” girl from Thailand, pulled us into the outdoor bar she worked at.  Every night she would smile, encourage her co-workers and reach out.  Bella kept telling us, “You are Beautiful”.  She told one of the girls, “You understand, you are big and beautiful.  Like me.”   Part of Bella’s story was like many women I know – struggle with other’s perceptions of her body and her body image.

Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Even if you can’t directly relate to someone’s story – you are in that place for a reason.  You have a hurt or a victory that means you can understand their pain, if not the reason.

3.           Live missionally-
You never know when you will be given a chance to speak with someone.  We spent time in local restaurants, shops, and businesses.  We got to just talk to people.  Hear their stories.  Some had left the red light districts, some were working wherever they could to support their families. (Single moms supporting kids, young men and women supporting their parents.) Many with broken hears.
     
And, you never know where that conversation, that love will go.   How will it touch them? Will it help them come to know Jesus?  You don’t know.  That doesn’t mean you don’t tell them anyway.

When I returned I struggled with the same thing that many others have struggled with.  How do I take what I learned, what changed me and put it into practice?

First, it changed my mindset about how I was already serving.  I still serve in my church – I miss all my kids when I am not there ;)  But I no longer see it as a “have to” but a “get to”.  I am blessed to get to check-in and talk to 60 kids every week and their parents.  To touch their lives in that way.

Next, it reminded me of something – we aren’t called to just serve the church.  One of my friends calls it “serving the saved and blessing the blessed”.  And aren’t we?  Who did Jesus minister to? The church?

So, I started to search.  Each of us would have our own areas of service.  I was touched by the women in Thailand that I reached out to a women’s shelter in my hometown.  They have their own counselors and daily individuals – but their women need real life skills!

Have you thought what every day skills you have, that maybe you take for granted that someone else would not?

Last, I remembered to Live Missionally
1.           Every day I interact with people that I know – but do I take the time to get to know them? Their pain, their fears, their stuggles?  Do you?
2.           Every day I interact with people that I don’t know – waitresses, store clerks, other travelers, but do I take the time to get to know them or do I let fear get in the way.
3.           Do I let the fact that I may not see the outcome (will they turn to Christ or won’t they) keep me from reaching out?

Picture from Investingcaffeine.com

 

When we went to Thailand, our leader Connie kept saying – “Don’t expect to see a girl walk out of the bar life.”  In the best scenario, we would introduce the girl to one of the local partner organizations who are there full time.  She reminded us that in her 8 trips – she seldom even saw those girls again, so she, and we, would need to remember to leave it in God’s hands.

We have to treat many of our every day interactions the same way.  We may not know if and when someone turns to Christ – but that should not stop me from reaching out to them, from getting to know them, from sharing with them.

And sometimes, you just don’t know.  Remember Big and Beautiful Bella?   At the beginning of November, Connie sent the May team an email.  She was back in Bangkok and had walked into one of the local partner organizations.  She sent us a picture… of Bella, no longer working in the bar, but instead, learning a new skill.

 So, a question - what is your heart?