My Place in This World

Missionary:
I thought I knew what to expect when I stepped off the plane but living in a country where I stand out as a foreigner is challenging. I've met a couple of Christian locals who are helping me get set up, but already communication is difficult. Even with all of that, I'm excited to see how things will work out.


Mom:
I'm so excited to see how things will work out. Chloe's third birthday is coming up on Saturday and I have the party all planned. The decorating and cake baking will be fun. The cleaning up afterward? I can't wait to get that over with!


Student:
Man, I can't wait to get that over with! Algebra is totally not my thing. I don't even understand why an English major has to take so much Math. I would rather read ten epic poems than balance an equation one more time. Well, I guess I had better go do this homework while it is still fresh in my mind. Better head back to the dorm.


Fireman:
I better head back to the dorm. My shift starts in 20 minutes and I will be on duty for 48 hours. Hopefully, we won't have too many serious calls. I love my job, but of course I don't want anyone's house to burn down. I've seen so many fires over my first few months with the department.











Missionary:
I've seen so many needs over my first few months here. It would be impossible to meet them all. Sadly, I'm going to have to chose what projects to spend my time on. (praying) Lord, I know You sent me here to minister to these people, but I feel a little overwhelmed. Help me to know what I need to do.


Mom:
(praying) Lord, I know You want me to help out in my church, but I don't feel ready to lead a Sunday School class like Heather asked me to at the birthday party. Help me to know where I should minister. Amen.  Being  a Sunday School teacher is definitely too scary for me. Hmm… Heather also mentioned they need a new nursery coordinator. I'm good at organization. I can do that!


Student:
Hannah mentioned she wouldn't mind tutoring me in Algebra. She's so good at Math, she could do it. She wanted to meet on Wednesday night but I told her I had youth group at church on Wednesdays. I asked her if she wanted to come. She said she would think about it.


Fireman:
Some of the guys from the station asked if I wanted to go to a club with them Sunday night. I told them I want to go to church since I actually have the night off.  They said they weren't surprised I was into the "God stuff" because of the way I act. It felt good to hear them say that. I was a little afraid I wasn't standing out for God.









Missionary:
Tonight, I taught my Bible study about standing out for God in the community. Somehow I have a feeling they are already doing it. Last week we had 7 people. This week there were 12! Only one was someone I had invited. After the study, Roberto came up to me and said, "Pastor, I know God sent you here so my family and I could know Jesus."  (praying) Lord, thank you for leading me to my place in the world!


Mom:
Rene came to me today and said she appreciates everything I've done for the nursery program. She wants me to set up the same system for the Sunday School teachers. If she had asked me three months ago, I would have been overwhelmed, but God kept me calm through the nursery project. I know He can do it again. This is my place in His world.


Student:
After youth group tonight, Hannah asked me how to be saved! I thought I would be scared if she asked me that, but God kept me calm. I remembered that I wrote the references to the Romans Road in the back of my Bible. Somehow I got through the verses and explanations without stuttering and Hannah got saved! What started out as an algebra tutoring session after youth group turned into a praise session. I may be just a student working toward an English degree but I| still have a place in God's world.


Fireman:
What started as a small fire turned into a big one when that natural gas tank blew. At least we got the family out before that happened. When I handed the little boy to his mom, she asked me why God would do this to her family. I told her that God doesn't do bad things to us, but He can use them to reach out to us. She let me give her name to my church. We should be able to help the family get back on their feet. Man, when I started this job and saw that I wouldn't get to church very often, I was afraid of feeling left out. Turns out, I'm not left out: I'm in my place in the world!