Echo’s Of Truth

I only have one week left here in Trujillo with IncaLink. As my time with this ministry comes to and end, I have been thinking about what God has taught me throughout this month. If I had to pick one theme that was consistent throughout the month, there are two phrases that come to mind. 

1. You never know the impact you will have 
2. Little things matter

Within the very first week of being here, these two phrases came to mind as we were talking to the locals within the ministry here. Of course, the lesson was not learned that quickly, but looking back over the month I can see how God was echoing this truth to me. Time and time again he was gently reminding me that small things can have a big impact. Let me explain a little more. 

Our first day of ministry we spent the whole morning helping pick weeds from a field so grass can be planted and the field can be used for soccer. When we wrapped up weeding for the day, the leader of the ministry talked to us a little bit about why what we were doing matters. He let us know that the kids were watching us from the window wondering why we were there doing something we really didn’t have to. You see, it may not have felt like big important work, but it was still kingdom work. We may not have directly shared the Gospel with anyone, but the kids saw us serving and the heart of Jesus shows through both actions and words. 

Later that week, we were having a conversation with the woman who has been cooking for us this month. Her name is Mariella and she quickly became our friend. She has such great faith and also much wisdom that she loves sharing with us during dinner time. This particular conversation I want to share is when she told us specifically that we never know the impact we will have on people. She then proceeded to tell us about the first time anyone had ever asked her about her testimony and how that small question was such a blessing to her. She then shared her testimony with us and it was such a powerful story of God’s provision and blessings. 

So within the first week of the ministry I was pumped and so ready to serve joyfully. I didn’t care what I was going to do because obviously God can use small things in a big way! Unfortunately, this knowledge did not stick with me much longer than that first week. 

The tasks we were asked to do were not my favorite things. We spent a few more days weeding, one day cleaning chairs and tables, and a few days sanding doors that need to be painted. At first, I was having fun with it, using that time to converse with my teammates and even used that time to talk to God. Then, I got tired of it. My attitude changed and I got frustrated wondering if what I was doing even mattered. I wanted to build relationships with the Peruvians and did not feel that was actually happening for a couple of different reasons. 1. The children we were working with in the afternoons changed every day and we really only saw the same group of kids once a week. And 2. I don’t speak Spanish so I couldn’t really dive into a deeper conversation with the people we did see everyday. 

Then one day it hit me. My team was walking home from a day of ministry outside of the compound we live in. Across the street from us we saw a lady walking who has been coming to the compound on Wednesday’s with a group of women and children. She noticed us first, said hi and then told the lady she was walking with that we are her friends. This was such a win for me! You see, this particular woman has been very difficult to connect with. We had only seen her at the compound a couple of times, but each time me and my team all noticed that she would walk around separate from the rest of the group. When we tried to walk up to her and have a conversation, she would smile or take her baby’s hand and wave at us… all while walking away. We never got close enough to really talk. But every opportunity I got I would smile at her. I desperately wanted her to know that she is so deeply loved and it was hard to watch her walk away from us.. I thought she obviously didn’t trust us and we probably weren’t gonna get anywhere with talking to her. AND THEN SHE CALLED US HER FRIEND. 

This was such a big deal to me. I was reminded that little things really do matter.  A smile can go a long way. My attempts to show her love led her to believing we are friends. Yet, I didn’t think I was making any kind of impact.. 

After that moment I started thinking over the rest of the month and God reminded me of all the times I made a connection with a child over something so small. 

Just a couple words and I would be playing a game. 

Just a look and I knew a child wanted to race me. 

Just a hug and the child did not want to say goodbye. 

A hug and a women was told through actions that she is not less than anyone.

Sanding doors so one man would not have to do it all himself. 

Pulling weeds to allow kids to play soccer on grass instead of cement. 

A smile makes friends and communicates joy and love. 

All my favorite moments this month came from something so small, but they had such a big impact in my heart. I might not ever know the impact my work has on the people around me, but I don’t need to know that to continue showing love in small ways. I prayed for God to change my attitude, and through all these reminders He did. Now, I will continue to serve joyfully and trust that God will use me and my team to make the impact that He intends to.