Christian service comes in all shapes and sizes and colors and places. An interesting story of service and shared blessing is provided by long-time pastor/author/ MorningDevotion.com reader Kenneth MacHarg. He is serving as interim pastor for a Central American congregation. Here is a recent submission.
Ministry differences, similarities serving a church overseas
By Kenneth D. MacHarg
San Pedro Sula, Honduras — In previous articles, I have outlined the distinctives of the overseas English-speaking churches.
They are, for the most part, multi-denominational and international in character. They provide a home-away-from-home for English-speaking people who are living overseas for a period of time. They provide a place of worship, fellowship and study in a familiar language and culture.
In many ways, the needs of people are the same everywhere. We are all seeking to understand God's love for us and His demands on our lives. We are all struggling with ethical decisions and for guidance on how to live our lives. We are all looking for the answers to the ultimate questions of life.
People overseas, like all of us, face health and economic problems, struggle to protect and raise their family, have conflicts and difficulties with others, and wonder what the future holds. And often they turn to the church seeking help with those difficult times of life.
Expatriates — those who live outside of their own country — have other struggles as well. Many are thousands of miles from family, friends and their home towns. They are living in places where the language is different, the culture a bit strange, legal systems differ from what they are used to and where, sometimes, they feel that they are out of step.
As their children grow up, many face a prolonged separation as the young ones return to their homeland to seek education or work.
Because many come for a set period of time — perhaps a year, or three years — they constantly struggle with what they will do next. Others fight the bureaucracy as they attempt to obtain a resident visa, pay a traffic violation or get a shipment out of immigration and customs.
Still others question why God has called them so far from their homeland and then things have been so difficult. "If it's God's will for me to be here, why are things so difficult?" In addition, in the time of serious illness, many wonder whether they should seek treatment where they are or return home.
And the issues go on and on. It has been our wonderful experience to talk and pray with so people as they have tried to work through these and other types of issues.
And neither we nor they have all of the answers. But we know that in this congregation that God has planted in Honduras, we have found absolutely wonderful people who are seeking to be faithful to God's will for their lives.
We know that the Lord will bless them and lead them, as he always has and always will.
