On my heart all day I was recalling John 13:34 “a new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” When I got back to our home I looked up the verse and continued reading and was so eye opened by verse 35 which says “by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” I sat there reflecting on the day and remembering my attitude going in the the HIV homes this morning telling myself to show the love of God, not waste an opportunity, and to be as humble as possible. I sat there thinking about my attitude with the people here wondering why in the world can I walk into an environment this this with the least of these who I never met and treat them with complete love, but yet on a daily basis in Mongtomery, AL I cannot make myself halfway decently treat the people I know with love. Admitting that to myself is so sad and prideful but at the same time something that I personally desperately needed to admit in order to move forward with humility in loving others. On the plane here when I was wide awake during the middle of the night, I began to read about Paul’s work with the Ephesians and about his willingness to obey and live out God’s calling in Ephesus. Coming across Ephesians 3:8 it says “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given to me: To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” I am absolutely no better than any of the people with leprosy or HIV yet i can love them without thinking twice, yet I also am no better than anyone at school or in Montgomery yet it’s so much harder to love the people who persecute me and do things I don’t agree with. It has completely opened my heart and my eyes to treat the people that I know in Montgomery with the same love that I can give to these people I have never met. We are called to love everyone, even the ones who persecute us and our enemies. Seeing how I love people here is the motivation for me to return home and love everyone with the same love regardless of who they are or what they do, because that is what they deserve. I don’t deserve to be loved by the Savior but He loves me anyways, so why shouldn’t the people around me deserve to be loved with that same love.
Lauren Kingry
I think that this is something so many of us struggle with, Lauren. I fell in love with mission work six years ago, and always find myself longing to go back into the mission field where I feel it is so much easier to love and show the grace and humility that Christ calls all of us to.
I enjoyed your blog and am also praying to remember each day, that we are also in a mission field in Montgomery each day as well.
Be safe and bless you for your work! Mrs. Tullis (Will and Charlie Ward’s Mama)
AS I read this my heart leaps with excitement for the love God is putting in your hearts for Ethiopia. I left there only 10 days ago myself and my heart is still there. Those children are so special. Praying for you and for the children.
God bless you, Lauren, and what He has done in your heart these past few days. Praying for you and the whole team to shine forth the love of Christ to each person you meet. May He use each of you in ways you never thought possible and may you come home changed in Him forever. Blessings on the rest of your time in Ethiopia and a safe return home.
God bless you,
Ava Garmon