Over the weekend I attended a bonfire for the youth of the church I have been attending. It isn't a big church with just maybe 6-8 youth, but my teammates Chris and Liz serve regularly and hosted this bonfire for them. We sang, roasted marshmallows, had a little bible study and shared a simple meal. I was reminded that regardless of size, fellowship and community are two really cool things. My love language, or the way I like to express my care for others is quality time and words of affirmations Due to my limited language, words of affirmations are more difficult and so it has been a challenge for me to trust that "presence ministry" is enough. Whether it is sharing snacks and sodas or coloring together or hugs, I have to believe that this enough, that being present, attentive and acknowledging human dignity is a witness itself. Knowing names, acknowledging others seems like very little, but I don't think we can underestimate the power of these things which usually cost us very little.
In the states I try on occasion when someone asks for money to first ask their name and introduce my self giving us both dignity. I'm not just a free hand out and they are not defined by their need. This brings some dignity to the situation. Sometimes it leads to more, a conversation or a meal and other times it is just an acknowledgement of our humanness. The point for me is to communicate, I see you as a person and I am one too. This is powerful gift to offer but hard to measure. Being in another country and culture, this challenge is more apparent and not any easier, but it is a lesson I can learn and practice everyday.
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