True Blessings-Lessons from Cuba
December 8, 2015
Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
A couple of weeks ago I went to Cuba on a mission trip. We have a great partnership with a Methodist Church in Guanabacoa. We visited and played with some of the kids at the Mission Churches. We held training seminars for lay people and several of us had the opportunity to preach. We also saw the progress on the sanctuary our church is helping to build. The trip was amazing, and my mind is still trying to process all that I learned. It was great meeting with the Cuban pastors and seeing their desire to spread the gospel. Most people do not have transportation so most of the people walk miles to get to their churches. Their example has challenged me and my own desire to learn. This trip also clarified my own calling in life to… Seek God’s Presence; Preach the Gospel; Serve the least of these; Be a voice for the voiceless.
Obviously my life includes numerous other elements. Having a calling does not mean I stop changing diapers and washing dishes (although it would be great if it did). But I’m beginning to realize that God is pulling my heart into different places. He is giving me opportunities to serve in ways that stretch me. This can be hard at times, but I pray for more. I see a reoccurring theme in my own life: my greatest joys come through service and sacrifice. Whenever I live for something bigger than myself, I gain a greater intimacy with Christ. Mission trips always remind me that our true blessing is always found in blessing others.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Cuba on a mission trip. We have a great partnership with a Methodist Church in Guanabacoa. We visited and played with some of the kids at the Mission Churches. We held training seminars for lay people and several of us had the opportunity to preach. We also saw the progress on the sanctuary our church is helping to build. The trip was amazing, and my mind is still trying to process all that I learned. It was great meeting with the Cuban pastors and seeing their desire to spread the gospel. Most people do not have transportation so most of the people walk miles to get to their churches. Their example has challenged me and my own desire to learn. This trip also clarified my own calling in life to… Seek God’s Presence; Preach the Gospel; Serve the least of these; Be a voice for the voiceless.
Obviously my life includes numerous other elements. Having a calling does not mean I stop changing diapers and washing dishes (although it would be great if it did). But I’m beginning to realize that God is pulling my heart into different places. He is giving me opportunities to serve in ways that stretch me. This can be hard at times, but I pray for more. I see a reoccurring theme in my own life: my greatest joys come through service and sacrifice. Whenever I live for something bigger than myself, I gain a greater intimacy with Christ. Mission trips always remind me that our true blessing is always found in blessing others.