So I have been here around 5months and have began a journey that as a child I always dreamed of doing, laying down my life, picking up my cross and following after Jesus. By this I mean believing there is a real and living God and that his purpose is far greater than mine and thus worth following with all my heart. This has began an adventure which has stretched me in ways it is difficult to literate and much of what I have learnt and continue to learn I imagine I will not truly understand the implication or impact until many years to come.
After a lot of thought I think the one of the main things I am learning to do is wash feet and serve others. Washing feet (serving others in all kinds and manner of ways) is often done when no one sees who you are or what you are doing. You do not always get the expected praise we so often strive to achieve and furthermore sometimes the person whose feet you are trying to wash kicks you in the face as you do it. However this does not mean it not worthwhile, and I have been challenged by this passage in the bible in particular:
35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,* you did it to me.”’(Mathew 25:35-40)
To me this basically says that when I serve another person, physically first and in doing so spiritually you do it as if you are doing it unto Jesus. This means literally and tangibly caring for the last in the world and when you do so you find amazing grace. My time here so far has not always been easy but I know that by all measures it is worthwhile and everyday I see miracles and the gospel lived out around me whether small or huge they are all miracles. They range from people physically and emotionally being healed to simply brothers of colorful backgrounds living in community together. In small things you see Gods love, such as a brother serving another who previously he had been fighting with to someone blessing another with the little they have. I could list handfuls of examples but I will share that for another time. What I really want to say is I have been a Christian now for over 12 years, and it has taken me this long to begin to understand God as my sustainer in all circumstances, to begin to fully rely and trust everything and to learn the gift of truly serving others.
So what’s next you may ask? Well next month I will be in the Philippines for just over 2weeks to complete a primary health care course in the slums, as well as see some projects and hopefully visit the beaches. After that I will be back in Hong Kong to finish my last few months living in new boy house, whilst enjoying all the new facilities, which will open in March.
The future, well personally I don’t know right now but God does. I can say I really want to travel more in particular Africa to spend some time working with street kids and orphans, and maybe just travel Europe, so will wait and see…
Prayer:
1. Health
2. My ability to learn languages (I am rubbish)
3. Energy
4. To continue to trust God in all I do
5. Gods provision for St Stephens as they begin to pay for all the building work
6. God would speak clearly about my future And provide the resources for it to happen
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