Worth It?

I was excited when I heard I would be painting our light post on Thursday. It was really the first time I would be hitting the streets since being here. Ironically enough, painting light posts was one of the things I wasn’t very excited about as I anticipated our time here. But at this point, I was eager to get out there. 

From the very beginning, I was assigned to a team working on something called the Destiny Assessment. In short, it is an evaluation that Hannah created which combines personality and spiritual gifts, and is used to understand your unique design. Hannah has incredible influence in the Business sector of Jacó and has already begun to use the assessment within her company. She is launching a “Business as Missions” program and the assessment will be incorporated into that. Part of our job for the past few weeks was to adapt the original to make it more applicable in a business context. Honestly, it took me back to all the projects I tackled when I was working at Clarks Summit University. Right up my alley! The only downside is that that meant most of my time was spent inside the compound, sitting in front of my computer… 

I eventually started to feel like I was missing out. Usually my team would disperse after devos and I would send 2 or 4 of them out, while I hung back. They would return each day with stories of new friends and connections in the community. I want some skin in this game!! Put me in coach! After sitting in those feelings for a bit, my conclusion was that I needed to be more intentional about prayer. Just because I wasn’t out on the front lines, doesn’t mean I can’t be in the fight! But something about that still feels like it’s not enough… 

Lord I’m here… I want to do your work, I want to share your love. I want to walk around Jacó like you, Jesus. 

Would it be worth it if all I did here was pray? Would it be worth it if simply every time I left the gate, to go to the store or to church, I prayed as I went? If I prayed for the man out of work, if I prayed for the drunk, if I prayed for the local business owner? 

Here’s the deal. The answer to all of those questions I find myself asking is yes, prayer is always worth it. But my mind struggles with that. It’s humbling to remember, God is above all things and His ways are not my ways. I believe he has a purpose in my investment here that I may never see the fruit of, and that’s ok. The gospel is being spread through Jacó, right now! I can share in the joy of my friends, as they return with stories of how God showed up big time! Everything I do in obedience to the Lord is worth it in the end. 

We were informed yesterday that this week we get to do Night Ministry out in the streets of Jacó. I don’t believe that’s a coincidence. God in his wisdom asked us to wait, and now he is honoring our faithfulness. Join us in prayer, specifically as we hit the streets this week to share the gospel, and stay tuned!!!