My 3 week trip to the orphanage in Mexico has come to an end (luckily I get to go back in 4 weeks with my church group for another week!).
I've been wearing this mask for 11 hours straight. I've never worn a mask that long. Boy does it feel good to be home and mask free.
----
Here are a few final thoughts from my trip...
What's a sabbatical, I was asked.
I guess a dictionary definition of sabbatical includes: A break or change from a normal routine. A purposeful time of rest.
Sometimes the grind of daily life can be very repetitive. We have an example from God Himself that even He rested after creating the universe. “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:3 NIV
There are several other Biblical references about resting. I think it’s not only a good thing to do, but is needed for us to recharge and become stronger.
I’m reminded of what I was once told. When you're exercising, it’s not the lifting of the weights where your strength is built. But rather, it’s when you’re at rest that you are getting stronger. WHAT? That doesn’t make sense! I always thought that as you ripped your muscles and stretched them beyond their normal ability that they became stronger. NOPE, when you work out, you are damaging your muscles and hurting them. It’s when you’re resting that the body actually has time to heal the damaged muscles and makes them stronger. Rest is an important and necessary part of growth.
This is one of the paradoxes of this world. Resting is where you heal and become strong (oftentimes without you even knowing it). We can't neglect rest.
----
For me this sabbatical was not just a vacation. When I vacation, I try to fill my day with interesting places and activities (because I just spent a ton of money to get there). Or some feel that you should sit on the beach and do nothing. The idea of doing nothing has never appealed to me.
During my 3 week stay at the orphanage, I was able to just “be”. There were many purposeful things that I did, however I didn't fill my schedule up so that I couldn’t help when needed. At home my schedule and “to do” list is massive. I have the ability to fill up my schedule and have things waiting that need to be done. Call it overbooking. In Mexico, I was able to just wake up, show up, and see what God had for me that day.
Of course there is no way that I could live that way, but it was sure nice for a few weeks.
----
Best thing about my time there:
For the last 10 years, that I’ve been going, each year I've notice that there seems to be more laughter there than where I live. Not only do I end up laughing, but everyone I’m around is laughing. It’s a joy to be in a place and see God at work in so many lives.
I was reminded that God wants good for every single person. He is actively providing good things for each of us. When I'm there, I see it through the love of the people and even how the basic necessities like food and shelter are being met.
Hardest thing about my time there:
When you can’t communicate with people, a close relationship with them is harder to achieve. It was often that I just sat and listened and didn’t understand a single word that was said in a group setting. Even when I was alone with someone, it was always a struggle to understand what they were trying to say. Thank goodness for modern electronics to translate. That helped me communicate however language is more than just words, it's context and the emotions that the words involk that were not always understood and limited my ability to fully understand and form relationships.
Additionally as I would drive around town, I saw many people that were in need. There were so many people that were in need and could use help. I’ve always been of the opinion that government should provide very basic things (like roads, police, military) and that their control should be very small and keep out of people's lives. However, without government intervention, the strong will prey on the weak and systems will be setup to keep the poor poorer and the rich will be allowed to get richer. A strong leadership in Mexico could really help this economy. My prayer is for Godly leaders.
How I saw God work:
There are dozens and dozens of adults that have given their lives to care for these orphans. They are paid little, because they are considered missionaries themselves. When you go into ministry, there isn’t much money for you personally. I saw people that answered God’s call to feed and care for the orphans. They are incredible people that care less for their personal comfort and more for the thing that God called them to do. And that’s admirable.
I saw children that have had a past that was hard and included massive pain. But yet somehow, they were brought to a place where they can hear the word of God several times a day and have the opportunity to glorify Him.
My takeaways:
Honestly, when it comes to my life, I have no problems or worries. It’s probably wrong to compare my life with others, but I can’t help it. My life is full. I have no problems and nothing to worry about when I consider all that I have. I live in a tremendously wealthy country, with liberty, medical care, a quality way of life and just incredible freedoms. I have absolutely nothing to complain of and I must live my life in gratitude for all that I have.
I would urge you to consider how you could have a sabbatical, “a purposeful time of rest”.
I've been forever changed by this experience. Put another way:
A mind stretched by new experiences can never go back to its previous dimensions.
No comments:
Post a Comment