It seems strange to let a day go by now without blogging, so I felt compelled to write something tonight. I am so excited and moved. Tonight was our midweek service with the Turning Point, and I was so blown away by the hearts of our people. It is amazing to see God work, and I am so honored to serve this group full time.
Tonight, we had everyone from the El Salvador team get up and share about one of their favorite or most impacting moments, and what God had taught them. It was so moving to hear everyone's perspective. But the great thing was what God did among the church. I felt like I could feel their heart breaking, just like ours did while we were there. Afterwards, so many people approached me about wanting to go on the next trip, or wanting to donate money, or with a great idea about how to help.
A few people put money in my hand and said "send this." One sister was so moved by the story of the bathrooms at the school in Suchitoto that she donated $2000 right on the spot to go towards that project. Everyone was excited about Robyn Foyle's idea of "Lattes for El Salvador."
I can't wait to share more with the whole church on the 22nd and come up with some great ideas of how we can help. My goal is to come up with things that are sustainable and long lasting, rather than short bursts of emotion
It's moments like this that I really, really love what I do. I love seeing God open up my eyes, and other people's eyes, to things that seem so obvious. I love that he is so patient with me and doesn't get irritated with me because I don't see things quickly. I love being able to see the process, when I look back over the last few years. I love the thought of where this is going to go.
This sounds like such a cliche, but everything feels different these last few days. My gym, my neighborhood, my house - everything feels different. Ministry situations that have already come up since I have been home - I have such a calmer, more patient spirit about them, because my perspective is so different. I am excited about leading this church to be more aggressive about making money so they can help more people. I am excited about calling them to a new level of sacrifice. I am excited about making changes in my own life to maximize my efforts so that I can be more productive for God.
I have a deep desire to be a better steward of everything I have - my money, my car, my house, my office, my desk, my computer, my clothes, my health. I don't want to become ungrateful, and I am begging for God to help me keep my heart soft.
Now, though, I am going to go to bed and get some rest.
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Jay,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear about all of the awesome events of this trip.
I have to ask though, Jay - what are you doing in your own community? Are you even remotely aware of the people that are suffering within Turning Point LA? Have you asked? Have you reached out and given them an opportunity to ask for help?
What about the people that slip in and out of church service each week and don't get noticed. The people that aren't in with the "in" crowd and are unaware of the mid-week services despite their overwhelming hunger to be connected.
Why does this have to be about "money", Jay? What about people within our own community that could benefit from our time? When is the last time you solicited help from the community to provide a service in your own city?
I'm happy for the people of El Salvador tonight, but am deeply saddened by the loss for the people of Los Angeles.