We expected many challenges when planning this new ministry in Kosovo...scheduling, cultural differences, language; you know, the normal challenges of cross cultural work.
Challenge #1 happened before the camp even began. The Director had called our host and told him that he was concerned about the schedule that we had agreed upon...and, to be fair, it was gonna be quite a haul; 9-5 with an hour for lunch (granted the kids weren't all gonna be there for the whole time).
So (on the morning of day #1) we sat down and worked out a solution; 9-noon with all the kids together instead of 9-5 with the kids split into two age groups.
No problem.
Well, not true...at the time we were concerned because the change meant that we would be splitting the entire group of students into 2 rather than 4. We were so worried that our instructor to student ratio would be unmanageable.
Did I mention that we made this change mere minutes before we started the camp?
I am gonna take this moment to remind you about the scripture from part 1 of these posts...20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Challenge #1 happened before the camp even began. The Director had called our host and told him that he was concerned about the schedule that we had agreed upon...and, to be fair, it was gonna be quite a haul; 9-5 with an hour for lunch (granted the kids weren't all gonna be there for the whole time).
So (on the morning of day #1) we sat down and worked out a solution; 9-noon with all the kids together instead of 9-5 with the kids split into two age groups.
No problem.
Well, not true...at the time we were concerned because the change meant that we would be splitting the entire group of students into 2 rather than 4. We were so worried that our instructor to student ratio would be unmanageable.
Did I mention that we made this change mere minutes before we started the camp?
I am gonna take this moment to remind you about the scripture from part 1 of these posts...20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We realized at the end of day one, that if we had gone ahead as planned we would have been absolutely exhausted. The four hours were so focused and intentional that they left us worn out. But as a result were probably much more fruitful and meaningful than the planned nine hours.
Change has a way of doing funny things to people. Unrealized expectations can lead to some serious anger and sadness.
Not so with this group.
There were a variety of challenges that came in the form of changes to the plan...and I am not gonna go into detail on them. Suffice it to say, they were potentially crushing changes if this was something focused on our own egos.
But the members of this team had, at their core, a focus on serving and glorifying God.
That was all that mattered. It wasn't just lip service either. They truly had faith in the sovereignty of our God and their attitudes, actions, and joy served as witness to this faith.
It was an honor to serve with this group...and a joy to get to see how Christ was glorified through their actions.
Change has a way of doing funny things to people. Unrealized expectations can lead to some serious anger and sadness.
Not so with this group.
There were a variety of challenges that came in the form of changes to the plan...and I am not gonna go into detail on them. Suffice it to say, they were potentially crushing changes if this was something focused on our own egos.
But the members of this team had, at their core, a focus on serving and glorifying God.
That was all that mattered. It wasn't just lip service either. They truly had faith in the sovereignty of our God and their attitudes, actions, and joy served as witness to this faith.
It was an honor to serve with this group...and a joy to get to see how Christ was glorified through their actions.
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