As 2012 comes to a close, I reflect on all that has happened this year and give thanks to the Lord of Harvest. For this ministry, it has been a year of harvest, of seeing God's hand in everything, of seeing the purpose of what He has called us to do.
This ministry has never been easy, it's a ministry that needs a lot of patience, love and persistence. Looking back, I am awed by the faithfulness of my God. He taught me what it meant to plant a seed and to be patient while I kept watering it. How many times, like a curious impatient child did I want to dig beneath the earth just to see what was happening with the seed that was planted. How many times did I wonder if it was even alive, let alone, growing. And then, in His timing, things started to happen.
I must say that He broke all of my plans. Every one of them. He told me what He wanted me to do and I did it, but impatient daughter that I am, I started planning ahead and beyond what He had said to do in my own logic and that of this society's. I started thinking along the lines of what others have done, what is logical to do based on what this culture expected. God smashed them to pieces and shut several doors. I was left with the unorthodox and doing what others had not done before. We were also doing this alone with a couple of other people because most churches would not touch this type of ministry with a 20 foot pole.
Our van became an office to disciple and counsel. As did other local cafes and we quickly found that all the places we had "accidentally" chosen were run by believers. So, not only were we doing ministry but also helping out their businesses. Unplanned bible studies sprouted in homes of the people we counseled. We even used playgrounds and parks. God showed us that we are the church, not any building and that ministry happens wherever and whenever. And we could still share and teach the Word even if we are sitting next to a rather huge pitbull like dog on a couch.
We saw how God worked and moved in hearts that were so hardened and hurt to transform them into flesh so that they could love again. Friendships were forged with people we never would have thought we would ever come to meet, let alone know. Trust was build. And people came to know the Lord and started living.
I look back at 2012 and I am grateful. So grateful for this chance to have done what we have been able to do. So grateful because we have been so privileged to do all this on such a grassroots level. So grateful because He showed us His hand and how marvellous He is. So grateful for the lives who came to Him. So grateful for the people who walked with us in this ministry. The seed that was planted did take root and sprout leaves. Like the verse God gave me for this ministry, Mark 4:31,32 , God willing, it will grow to be a large tree to give shelter to many one day.
This ministry is beyond us. It's not about us. The seed that has been planted will keep growing whether we are still here or not. It is all about Him. We do what He asks, and He will be faithful to accomplish that which He has said He will do.
2012 has been extraordinary.
This ministry has never been easy, it's a ministry that needs a lot of patience, love and persistence. Looking back, I am awed by the faithfulness of my God. He taught me what it meant to plant a seed and to be patient while I kept watering it. How many times, like a curious impatient child did I want to dig beneath the earth just to see what was happening with the seed that was planted. How many times did I wonder if it was even alive, let alone, growing. And then, in His timing, things started to happen.
I must say that He broke all of my plans. Every one of them. He told me what He wanted me to do and I did it, but impatient daughter that I am, I started planning ahead and beyond what He had said to do in my own logic and that of this society's. I started thinking along the lines of what others have done, what is logical to do based on what this culture expected. God smashed them to pieces and shut several doors. I was left with the unorthodox and doing what others had not done before. We were also doing this alone with a couple of other people because most churches would not touch this type of ministry with a 20 foot pole.
Our van became an office to disciple and counsel. As did other local cafes and we quickly found that all the places we had "accidentally" chosen were run by believers. So, not only were we doing ministry but also helping out their businesses. Unplanned bible studies sprouted in homes of the people we counseled. We even used playgrounds and parks. God showed us that we are the church, not any building and that ministry happens wherever and whenever. And we could still share and teach the Word even if we are sitting next to a rather huge pitbull like dog on a couch.
We saw how God worked and moved in hearts that were so hardened and hurt to transform them into flesh so that they could love again. Friendships were forged with people we never would have thought we would ever come to meet, let alone know. Trust was build. And people came to know the Lord and started living.
I look back at 2012 and I am grateful. So grateful for this chance to have done what we have been able to do. So grateful because we have been so privileged to do all this on such a grassroots level. So grateful because He showed us His hand and how marvellous He is. So grateful for the lives who came to Him. So grateful for the people who walked with us in this ministry. The seed that was planted did take root and sprout leaves. Like the verse God gave me for this ministry, Mark 4:31,32 , God willing, it will grow to be a large tree to give shelter to many one day.
This ministry is beyond us. It's not about us. The seed that has been planted will keep growing whether we are still here or not. It is all about Him. We do what He asks, and He will be faithful to accomplish that which He has said He will do.
2012 has been extraordinary.
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