What Kind of Work do you do?

WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU DO?

BY JAVIER MENDOZA

When thinking about what it is that we at Connect Global do on a daily basis it’s a little difficult to break down for people.

We are essentially a non profit that was founded around the idea that we could all make a difference in people’s lives by going to them, and simply serving them.

Of course we have written and revised our mission statement over the years to describe what we do, but that does not exactly sum up the impact of our actions in a ‘ground level’ sort of way.

It is also not sufficient at describing the Why behind what we do.

In one of our recent podcast episodes Danielle and I discuss what compelled us originally into this world of missions and of seeking to serve and walk alongside others both in the US and in different nations around the world.

We have all found ourselves doing lots and lots over the years to build an organization that could really make a difference.

We have become accountants, fundraisers, travelers, painters, chefs, plumbers, school teachers, website designers, preachers, as well as so much more.

We have found ourselves serving in these capacities because that was what was needed in order to help someone at any given moment or to sustain the community outreach that we have implemented over the years.

At times our job can be very ‘Instagram worthy’ work like meeting a mayor or being interviewed for the local news, most of the time, though, it is the unseen hustle that makes Connect Global a viable force for good. All of this in the midst of attending the funeral of a 6 year old who just passed away after a life-long battle with cancer or while holding a broken mother in her torment, as she asks us why her baby was taken after only days of birth and not being able to do much more than cry along with her.

This is only the very tip of the iceberg in understanding our 'why' and you may see how it becomes harder and harder to answer the question, ‘So, what do you do?’

Our work is a gut wrenching, 24/7, heart breaking, satisfying, challenging, ever-evolving, mission that takes us from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows all in a matter of minutes at times.

One of the ways I describe what we do, is to say that on a daily basis we engineer and execute deliberate ways in which to demonstrate the phrase, ‘Love Your Neighbor’.

So, what does ‘Love Your Neighbor’ Look Like?

‘Love your neighbor’ is something you may have only heard in Sunday School and can be pretty ambiguous. Does this mean love your physical neighbor — someone who lives on your cul-desac, in your state, or your country of origin? Is your neighbor someone with whom you agree politically, or who holds your same beliefs?

We believe everyone is our neighbor.

From fellow co workers, to the local barista. Our kid’s teacher to the maintenance person in our building. Every person in which we come into some form of contact we describe as our neighbor — and we are willing to Love each of them.

We show love in all sorts of ways both here in the United States as well as throughout our years of service in Thailand, Mexico, Haiti, Guatemala, Costa Rica, & Honduras. Love comes in all sorts of packages and transcends language, political opinion, and socio-economic differences.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

‭ Mark‬‭ 16:15‬‭ NIV‬

We have prepared meals for the hungry, clothed the needy, prayed for the sick, and given shelter to widows and children.

‘Love’ as work sounds kind of hippy-dippy, but that is in essence ‘what we do’ and more importantly Why we do what we do. We are proud of the work we have accomplished and we get very excited when others take part in this journey alongside us.

From the generosity of those who give financially to the adventurers who join us on treks outside the US, we are eternally grateful each time you show Love for one of our ‘Neighbors’.

The world is a big place and there are plenty of ‘neighbors’ who need your love.

You can make a difference

While it is impossible to think we can help every person in the world, it is not impossible for you and I to change the world for one person — or 5, or 10, or even a hundred at a time.

Do for One what you wish you could do for everyone.

— Andy Stanley

We decided long ago that ‘Love Your Neighbor’ would not be just a slogan on a T Shirt, or simply a cute quote for Instagram.

Our sincere hope is that loving our neighbors would define us and we would be known for it — and in the end those we have loved would be the one’s showing love, and so on.

We do this work because it is the right thing to do.

If you want to join us, we invite you to take a step with us and experience this work for yourself. You will be changed forever.

Learn More at ConnectGlobal.org