The Blessings of Service

I sat in the front row of the minibus as we drove away from the church a couple of Sundays ago. The teens sitting behind me had teary eyes, as did the people we said goodbye to as we pulled out of the parking lot.

How is it possible that people could connect so well in just four days? How is it possible that language and cultural and economical, and age barriers were crossed? How is it possible that we went to serve and be a blessing to others, yet we were blessed abundantly?

While tears fell from the teens around me, I pondered these questions, and my mind was brought to Romans 12:10-13:

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

From 15-20 February, ten students from grades 9 and 10, accompanied by Mr. Gab, Ms. Carla, and myself, spent time with the students and teachers at SLH Banjar Agung, outside of Lampung.

Continuing to build relationships with our sponsor students

We built a badminton court, led tech, health, and leadership workshops, shared skits and testimonies at chapels, stayed with local families, and built beautiful relationships through conversation, sport, and working hard together.

SLH and SPH PV working together, laying cement for the glory of God

SPH students and SLH teachers with the new badminton court

We from SPH PV and those from SLH gave everything we had to serve the other, not out of pride or superiority but out of a genuine desire to put others first and serve as unto the Lord. As a result, we all were blessed.

It is a reminder for me now that I’m back in Jakarta to serve as unto the Lord. If we all give humbly of ourselves to those around us, imagine the beautiful fruit that will continue to grow, week by week.

Blessings,

Rachel Feather