In the States, it is easy to feel entitled in your work. It is easy to say, I deserve more time off or more money. It is easy to pick up and leave when you don’t feel you get the recognition for all that you are doing. Sometimes, we try to treat ministry the same way—coming in and seeing what all we can get from it. What’s the least I can do and still get praised for it?
After being here for a month, I’ve seen that everyone who works for Grace Ministries has the complete opposite mindset. Delmy and Julio are in charge of the school but fight for these children at all times. Chino handles the financial and logistical parts of Grace, but he is the students’ and Deidra’s girls first call whenever they need anything. Shadya works in medical and dental, but I see her in the early mornings and late nights selling things to raise money for the seniors to go on a trip. Corey works at our medical clinic but also leads a women’s Bible group and has a second job at the hospital. Pastor Adan is the pastor of our church, but he is up at 5 a.m. cooking breakfast for the students everyday. Deidra is the leader of Grace Ministries and chose to continue serving even when she had every reason not to. When she could have chosen anger and bitterness, she chose to continue to love and is a mother to many. Teddy is the founder of Grace Ministries and has an entire congregation to care for in Alabama, however, he has never stepped back from being a huge part of how Grace runs today.
Grace wouldn’t be able to do all they do without the teams. The majority of the students and teachers are sponsored by people who come every year to serve from the states. It has shown me the immense difference that one persons generosity makes. They are generous not only financially but with their time. Saying yes to a week doesn’t seem like a lot but you can change someone’s life for eternity and you wouldn’t even know it. Many of the people I have met have been coming here for pretty much my whole life time and that is so beautiful to me that I can see so many people who have sacrificed to be able to be apart of all the lord is doing here. I came only once with a team before I got offered an internship and look how my life has changed. You never know what saying yes to a one week trip will do for you and the lives of others spiritually.
Being here for a month has shown me what it means to pick up your cross and follow Him. It’s not stepping on a pedestal; it’s laying your face on the ground. It’s not demanding what you think you deserve—it’s living the life Jesus lived and serving even when it’s not your “job” to.
I’ve also learned that in doing all of these things, you can easily disconnect. But if you do, what is the point? If you don’t carry the love of Christ and the gospel of Jesus in everything you do, it will have no eternal value. You have to constantly keep your heart in check with the Lord and let things flow out of an overflow of His love for you and for His people.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Grace ministries does not just serve, they love.
There are many non-profits all over the world who help build homes, provide education and food for people. But It is something rare and special to find one that will fight for these people spiritually. That show them that a physical home is important but what about your eternal home?
Being here a month has taught me to face my fears and die to myself. I am reminded that if we come before the lord as an administrator, a pastor, a nurse, a boss, an intern we will ultimately fail at some point. But, if we come in as sons and daughters before the lord who simply say yes- we will mess up but we won’t fail.
In Christ,
Amy, Grace Ministries Intern
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 