While we were in El Salvador we were able to run a camp for teens. The teens were poured into in the mornings and evenings with God’s word, food and our whole team loving them. We would spend time together asking questions and praying during our small group time. The time of worship and teaching was amazing. During the day our whole team, including the Salvadoran teens, would deploy into the community to bring the light of Christ.
At night I would bunk with about 15 of those young women. As we were all about to go to sleep for the night I noticed that one of the students looked very distraught. I was able to understand that she didn’t want to go to sleep, but our language barrier prevented me from discovering more.
At this point most of the team was asleep, but I was able to find a Salvadoran youth who could translate for me. We all prayed together. I was then able to connect her with one of the people who works with the ministry full time in El Salvador. She was able to bring this young woman the love and support she needed.
The next day I connected with the Salvadoran youth who had translated for me. I was able to thank her and let her know what an integral role she had played in finding this young woman the help she needed. It was from this point of connection that she went on to pour out her heart about some struggles she was experiencing. The trust we had built serving together helped her know that I was a trustworthy person.
My time in El Salvador taught me that all of us need both. We need to be ministers and we need to be ministered to. One helps us know that we belong and fills us with purpose. The other teaches that we are valued by others, a person worthy of love and care.
I used to think of ministry in a more divided way. That there were servants and people being served, but God calls us all to be servants. He also says we are all worthy of love. To find community is to find a place where you can serve and be served.