A Journey to the Mountains: Serving a Remote Village
On a misty morning, our outreach team set out on a two-hour drive to a remote village high in the mountains. This is my village story. Time seemed to stand still as we climbed higher, gazing down at the clouds that now separated us from the bustling world below. When we arrived, the villagers greeted us with warm smiles—and a rather unexpected request.
An Unusual Mission: Cleaning 8,000 Liters of Cow Dung
Our task for the week? To clean out 8,000 liters of cow dung. None of us had anticipated this, but there was no turning back.
Facing Exhaustion: The Physical and Emotional Toll
The first morning, we tackled the task with energy and determination. But as the hours wore on, the buckets grew heavier, and the sheer volume of dung seemed insurmountable. The unpredictable weather didn’t help—one moment it poured rain, and the next, the sun beat down relentlessly. By the end of each day, we were covered head to toe in manure, our muscles screaming from the effort. After two days, exhaustion was setting in, and I started to question whether we’d ever finish clearing what felt like a bottomless pit.
A Divine Shift: Finding Joy in the Mundane
Just as we reached our breaking point, something extraordinary happened. The joy of the Lord began to seep into our weary hearts like a refreshing rain. Suddenly, our focus shifted. Instead of just trying to endure the work, a deep sense of unity and purpose emerged within our team. We began singing songs of worship, our voices echoing over the pit as we heaved bucket after bucket. What had once felt mundane and overwhelming now felt meaningful. God was revealing His heart for the villagers to us, and we began to see the work as an honor rather than a chore.
Serving with Purpose: Seeing God’s Heart for the Villagers
By the end of the week, it was time to descend back to the city below the clouds. But before we left, the villagers surprised us with a heartfelt celebration. They prepared a feast to thank us, and as they shared their gratitude, there wasn’t a dry eye among us. They spoke of how our simple service had filled their hearts with hope and reminded them that they were not forgotten by God.
Lessons Learned: Transforming Sacrifice into Significance
As we made our way back down the mountain, I couldn’t stop thinking about how God had transformed such a small, messy sacrifice into something surprisingly significant. This experience reminded me that no task is too humble when done for His glory, and His joy truly is our strength.
Nils – Germany (19)
