Monday, July 2, 2007

Ministry starts on the Airplane

Interns (Kristin, Melissa) and Carla


When you're getting ready to go on a mission trip you think about what you will do when you get there. But you never know what type of ministry will be needed before you get to your location.

My first encounter started on the plane from London to Nairobi. An elderly woman sat in the aisle seat next to me. It did not take long for me to realize that she didn't speak any English and I knew I didn't speak her language. I thought, well that means I will get lots of sleep on this flight.
Well the time came that the man on the other side of me needed to get out and I had to try to figure out how to get her to get up. After making several gestures she finally realized that I was telling her to stand up. When I saw how long it took to get her to move I decided it might be best if I would also get up and go to the restroom and take the time to walk around a little.

About 30 minutes after returning to my seat, I felt someone punching my arm. It was the elderly lady. She was trying to communicate something and I just was not getting it. I believed she was asking about where the restroom was, but then I realized she wanted me go with her to the restroom and watch the door. I laughed to myself because it never occurred to me that someone would ask a complete stranger to watch a locked restroom door on an airplane. Believe me when I say she stood their until I understood that she wanted me to go with her.



While she was inside I thought" Lord is this where the ministry starts? I was looking forward to Kenya and yet you put someone in my path like the Parable of the Good Samaritan." While she was not hurt physically, she needed someone to come along side and help. Was I going to be so busy getting to my ministry, to serve on the way to the ministry? Perhaps I needed to be stopped in my tracks - on the airplane- and be reminded that ministry to people is waiting at every turn. Do I pass by or do I stop and help no matter how small the task?



Well just to make sure I got the point, she punched me in the arm about 3 hours later to go again to the restroom and this time I understood right away.



On our way back from Kenya I thought I saw that elderly woman again, but she looked more relaxed and she was going to the restroom on her own. It occurred to me that it was probably her first plane ride and she didn't know what to expect and trusting a complete stranger was all she could do.



I thank God every time He reminds me of the little things in ministry.