Rain
splattered hard on the van’s window and splashes of water rose up as we
navigated a rough, asphalt road. Weather forecasts had been telling a really
hot summer for our dear old country but for the time since summer has
officially begun, it has always been like this: intense summer heat in one
minute and cold hard rain in the next.
As
I watched coconut trees and green fields, I was transported to another world,
where traffic and decongestion do not exist. I felt far from the city yet I am
just near; after all, we were in the next town from the city.
My
concerns about legal opinions and pleadings had been temporarily removed and
replaced by an excitement to see the kids and a protectiveness to keep the boxes
in their right places. I spent a moment of prayer for protection and guidance
to all of us and for God’s hands to work in the hearts of the kid-recipients
and their families.
As
we arrived in their almost-completed concrete church, the rain has gained a
steady pour. We were greeted with the smiles of children and their mothers, all
of them waiting patiently for us to distribute the Samaritan boxes. As names
were called and a hundred boxes were distributed, I felt a sense of
inexpressible joy and excitement of what the Father will do through the
Samaritan boxes and a sense of thanksgiving for the opportunity to be a part of
His ministry through His chosen children here on earth.
We
spent a quick time to interact with the kids and headed back to the van again
for the next church in the next town. My spirit was up though my body, battered
by severe cough and colds the past days, was already screaming for food. I
prayed for the sustaining grace of Jesus and focused instead on His work. And
the ever-so-faithful Lord answered my prayer and after a hundred and forty
boxes were distributed in such church, we headed back to the city and were
generously treated for lunch.
Last
night, as I was lying on my bed, I can feel my arms and back aching after
carrying and piling those boxes without prior exercise (I’ve never been
physically active but because my body is a temple of Christ, I am considering
of going back to regular exercise again). I was tired and exhausted and I could
feel the strain of being slightly drenched in the rain and sweat. But I praise
and thank God to have been given a privilege to help in His ministry. It was
both a privilege and an opportunity. And I am greatly reminded and blessed by
the first verse from Psalm 115:
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us
but to Your name be the glory,
because of Your love and
faithfulness.”
No comments:
Post a Comment