“Did you really make that much of an impact?”

In one of the countries we were in, it was customary for friends to hold hands as a sign of affection. I wasn’t used to it at first, but it was a custom I grew quite fond of. :)

“Did you really make that much of an impact? Couldn’t all of the funds you raised gone to the local churches and efforts instead of getting you there and back?”

When asked these piercing questions, I was somewhat taken aback, but it was warranted.

Who am I, a foreigner who never had to worry about having a roof over my head or putting food on the table, to speak to people of a completely different country? Who am I to understand and empathize with the pain of poverty or neglect of my loved ones? Who am I?

I did not speak the same language as them, nor did I fully understanding their upbringing or culture. I am not God. The truth is, the people we served may have very well forgotten my face by now. Not a reflection on their memory or heart, but the common reflection of forgetfulness found in every human, no matter what culture or background.

So what was the point of all of this? Was it worth all the time, expense and efforts?

I have already shared previously the healing and revival the first three months of DTS brought me. I was able to deepen my relationship with God through learning more about Him through reading Scripture, hearing lectures, praying, worshipping and serving those around me. Those three months helped me build my foundation on the Rock, which is Jesus, and equipped me to equip others. For those who are curious and want to know who Jesus is, I can lead them to Him. God’s Word came alive for me. Yes, I may not have all the answers, but at least now I have more of a grasp to help others find them.

Now during my last two months of DTS, I went to India and nearby country*, places I had never laid foot on. We served so many groups within the community I don’t even know where to begin… there were the children who live in the slums, rehab centers, churches, widows, youth groups and community centers…this is when words don’t suffice. But our mission could be summed up in one sentence:

We sought to show God’s love to people society looked down upon and no one cared for, and encourage fellow believers that such efforts are not ever in vain, but for eternal glory.

Yes, it’s true many of the people we served people won’t remember our faces or names, but our team helped strengthen the ministries and reaffirm God’s love for these people. It’s not a everyday occurrence when foreigners from all over the world would go to these places just to meet these people and tell them quite simply:

Jesus loves you and cares about you.

Is it worth it to go half way across the world just to tell someone Jesus loves you?

Yes, yes, absolutely yes.

I won’t forget the face of the 60ish year old woman who’s home we visited when we told her all nine of us from five different countries came to her home just to let her know that Jesus loves her. I won’t forget the tears that streamed down her face when we prayed for her and husband, who was suffering from many internal ailments.

I won’t forget the precious little hands I held as we danced in a circle to the local music. The joy we shared and slight tingle we felt in our calve muscles from jumping around.

I won’t forget the look of hope in the men we spoke to at the rehab centers when we shared about how they could set free from the chains of guilt and shame by the blood and love of Jesus. I can’t and won’t forget how every man stood with conviction when asked if they want to receive Jesus into their lives.

But why us? Why me? Why couldn’t the local believers do it?

The local believers were already sharing the Gospel to the communities. It was because they had already been investing in these communities, we were able to go there. They inspired and encouraged us so. They would go into communities others were afraid to go into, that even the police would go into, just to share the love of Jesus.

At one point, a group of believers would wash and bathe the children of that slum area, because their parents didn’t take care of them. Why I don’t know why exactly… perhaps they were caught up in work, had the children at too young of an age or were addicted to drugs or alcohol… for whatever reason their parents didn’t take of the children. So the church stepped in. They came in to teach the children every week when the kids didn’t go to school. During Christmastime, they would serve the children the best foods… meat was a luxury there. So were desserts. The church would give the best to the kids. They would give presents and their presence just to say: Jesus loves you.

So the local believers were already doing it so well, why did you have to be there? Sure, you were encouraged by the local believers, but isn’t that a little selfish that you went halfway across the world to achieve this enlightenment?

Okay, maybe we didn’t have to be there… but one thing is certain: the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. There is always much, much work to be done, but not enough people to do it, nor enough money to fund it. Yes, the team may not have made as much of an impact by not being able to speak the language of those we serve, but at least we were able to help in what way we could. Even though less glamorous and fun, we organized and cleaned the facilities of the base and church. We prayed for and with the believers. We encouraged them that indeed their labor in the Lord is not in vain. We encouraged them to stand firm and let nothing move them. This is what the body of Christ looks like.

The truth is, it is difficult to truly measure the impact and efficiency of all our efforts. All I can hold onto is the inexpressible joy, surpassing peace and living hope I saw in people’s faces. Outward expressions that showed the overflow from renewing of their souls.

My life has forever been changed by those two months. I can never complain about washing my clothes because in other parts in the world, you hand wash them. I can never complain about being too cold in my house when I live in a house with heat. I can never complain about the little things, because I have so much to be grateful for. Through my experiences in both Taiwan and outreach, I am able to connect to people in ways that I wasn’t able to before. My eyes have been opened to the incredible need for people to know and experience the love of God and I myself have been touched by this love. I have learned and am still learning what it means to pursue Love in its purest form, and follow after a man who was God in the flesh. Who gave Himself to death and humiliation so we could be set free from the bondage of sin and death.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

Did we really make that much of an impact?

I’ll let you decide.

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