Hi! Glad you’re here! Let me paint a picture for you. It takes place on a Friday — the last day of ministry for the week. We were all a little worn out. We were anticipating surf club happening later that evening, and then we got word that it was cancelled. We were like, “okay, now we get to chill”! We were going to play some volleyball and just relax. Then, we got word that surf club was back on (~flexibility~).
Let me tell you, we were NOT pumped. We had all mentally prepared ourselves for the rest of the night off, and then we found out we were going to have to go out and watch a bunch of kids as they learn to surf (which of course is really fun, we just were not feeling it at the time).
A lot of us were a little bit annoyed at the change of plans, myself included. I had to pray that the Lord would soften my heart and change my attitude, and I am so thankful He answered my prayer.
As soon as I got to the beach, I saw Mar. I met her on my second day in Jacó and had been wanting to see her ever since. Earlier that day during ministry, she came up and talked to me because she saw we were painting for the city (which is so cool because sometimes we get sick of painting!!!). I invited her and the kids she was watching to surf club, and THEY CAME!
If surf club would have been cancelled, we would not have seen each other again! The kids learned to surf (they were naturals), and Mar and I had a really great conversation. A few years ago, she was deeply hurt by a few people in the church. She hasn’t attended church since. The Lord graciously opened the door for me to be able to invite her to the local church, and she said she would try to come!
Of COURSE God would do something cool like this. Of course He would take something we were dreading and would use it for His glory. I am not at all surprised. At surf club, I was able to reconnect with a few other people I met last week and it was SO sweet. Something else that was REALLY COOL happened at the end of surf club, but that is a story for another blog. 🙂
I am just constantly being reminded that life is not about me or what I am feeling. Serving is not always fun and it is not always comfortable. Some days I just do not want to do it. But the Lord uses every moment and reminds us that our labor is not in vain. Let’s not grow weary of doing good!
Fast forward to today, and Mar came to church with her precious children! It was such a sweet answered prayer! The Lord is so faithful!
Sounds like you are having a blast. And you are doing God’s work. What a wonderful thing dedicating your life to serving the Lord. I will be praying for you. I was glad to see you are attending Evangeual College. Is this where your mom went to school? I don’t know how I remembered this. Ha. Take care and be safe in your travels
Ms Vicki
WOW – praise God for His endurance and faithfulness!