Ministry can happen - in just a minute

I used to have lots of time for ministry. I didn't think I had lots of time for ministry, but I did. I was a stay-at-home mom, and I did ministry at church, in the community, and through Compassion International. Then grad school happened. Then kids' college bills happened. Now I work full time at a demanding (and fulfilling) job, my husband also has a demanding (and fulfilling) job, and I just don't have the time to give like I used to. But my heart is still there, in wanting to give, in desiring to follow Jesus in reaching out to the least of these.

I still sponsor 7 kids through Compassion International, and support their Child Survival Program and complementary interventions. But I struggle to be a good sponsor, and write letters.Wess Stafford's new book, Just A Minute, is convicting me that I need to take a little time to write those encouraging letters.

Just a Minute by Wess Stafford

My Just a Minute moment? Happened in Rwanda (see my other blog) when I met Uwezo, and we were supposed to be playing Uno, but he really wasn't all that interested, and so I started to build a house of cards (a talent my brother Randy and I used to perfect). It fell over after a bit, and he said through the translator, "do that again." So we spent like a half hour building a house of cards. It was a little thing, but it was a teaching/learning moment that really bonded us. I think it showed him I cared about him as a person, about what he was interested in. He and I still communicate by email, even though he had to leave the Compassion program in order to help his family financially, as many older students do.

So my solution to not having a lot of time for ministry? Start this Blog. And I will fill it with random thoughts about faith, life, growth, the busy-ness of our culture and how God calls us in the midst of it, and in spite of it. I will try to be honest, and I welcome your thoughts.

If you don't have a lot of time for ministry, I encourage (challenge) you to check out Compassion's program. You can start here, with children who have been waiting for a LOOOONNNNG time for a sponsor. PLEASE, PLEASE check it out. Just click on the yellow line below. I also added a video link - it's only a minute long, worth your time! One minute could change your life, and theirs.

SPONSOR A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN WAITING 6 MONTHS OR MORE!

http://vimeo.com/29264488

Challenge to you: What One Minute changed your life? What One Minute did you give to someone else that changed their life? Let me know!

B.