“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” – Matthew 14:27
Today, for our mission, we had the kids from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Most days, the parents meet with their kids for meals. Today, however, they had the gift of an entire day with no responsibility. It was a long, hectic privilege to serve this way.
We split by age group in the morning again. Younger kids swam, while the teens hiked. After that, Greg led another devotional. He discussed the connection between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Again, the teens had a lot to say. It was incredibly meaningful to hear their hearts. We were refreshed by the Word and mutually encouraged.
Of all our time here on a short-term mission trip, this day was the most anticipated. The kids were excited. For us on the mission team, we were nervous. It’s just so long, with so many kids of so many different ages. Our hearts want to serve, but it can seem impossible and scary.
Even a Little Faith is Enough
The story of Jesus walking on water comes to mind. Here, the Lord reminds us that He is near when we look out at the impossible. We can take courage. God has reminded us all week that even a little faith is enough. And it was enough for today, because Jesus was with us. It is by His grace through faith in Him that we were successfully sustained through nearly 12 hours of childcare.
These 12 hours included ferrying almost 30 kids across the sea in paddle boats. We played makeshift volleyball on a deserted island. It included night games of kick the can, movies, and songs. There was a lot of adventure, a lot of good conversations, and only a few injuries.
Please pray for good rest, good weather, and for continued faith in a God who has everything under control.
Kim