Joy in Doing Good
Joy IN DOING GOOD
IMAGINE A PLANNING MEETING between angels (God’s messengers) in the throne room of Heaven. “How can we bring joy to our earthly family?” God asks. A chorus of ideas follows: “Bigger cars and homes? More power, more leisure, more Instagram followers?” “No. Through the ages, they have received those things, yet they are still restless – seeking something new, something else.” They conclude, “Joy comes from doing good for others – loving, sacrificing, giving and serving.”
Joy in doing good for others creates a sense of personal fulfillment and happiness. It crescendos into a chorus of gratitude and thanksgiving for all we have received from our good Heavenly Father. It is the primary motivation for mission trips – a sacrifice of time, hours of preparation, planning, shopping, packing and a significant investment of money and resources to personally love and serve in His name. What are some of the joyful moments that result?
JOY IN GIVING THANKS
In El Salvador, a small team of “newbies” from Bear Creek Church in Katy arrived at the El Riel school and church. A brilliant rainbow of promise painted on their new computer science building formed the backdrop for welcoming children. Older girls danced, younger children sang and accompanied with rhythmic clapping while the littlest boys beat their drums – all garbed in traditional Salvadoran clothes. Let the joy begin!
The children led the way to their new worship center, rising up in the midst of poverty as a monument to faith-filled donations and hard work. Loud and robust praise music filled that small temple with the joy of the Lord. Then, a drama group of third graders seated missions pastor, Danny Quintanilla in a lone chair facing the congregation. Vaguely familiar music began, soon recognized as the Spanish version of “Thank you for giving to the Lord…I am a life that was changed.” Children, costumed in various occupations, gathered one by one as the song continued: “Sacrifices made, unnoticed on the earth, in heaven now proclaimed.” Two angel-garbed children escorted another child dressed in a white robe with a crimson sash. There was not a dry eye as the children placed a shiny gold crown on Pastor Danny’s head. It was only paper, but the crown of God’s blessing shone brighter than any 14k metal it represented.
JOY IN CELEBRATING
Makeshift instruments and a raucous chorus of “Feliz Navidad” greeted the mission team upon their arrival in the Dominican Republic. They came prepared to share Christmas joy with over 300 sponsored children. Christmas a la Dominicana included crafts, games, a picture booth and lots of traditional holiday snacks – empanadas, quipe and cake heaped with icing. A Dominican Christmas also included sudden tropical rainstorms!
Costumed actors, puppets and an elaborate stage were assembled, then quickly scurried away as dark clouds signaled imminent rain. With squeals and shouted directions, everyone scrambled to cover the cake, crafts and puppet stage. In a short time, after the clouds worked their mischief and everything was drenched and dripping, the sun began shining again. Seemingly rehearsed and choreographed, all the components re-emerged, and the celebration of Jesus’ birth continued. First in English, then in Spanish, they dramatized the familiar story of a virgin mother, a stable, shepherds and angels. Bright eyes shone with joy as they responded to the newborn baby who came to save us from our sins. With hugs all around, each child departed with a small gift bag containing a toothbrush and their favorite treat – American chocolates of all kinds!
JOY IN PARTNERSHIP
The foundation of STCH Ministries International Ministries is partnership with faith ministries that prioritize children and families – existing churches, schools and orphanage ministries led by competent local leaders called by God. Believing that God can equip individuals in every country to reach their own people, STCH Ministries seeks to identify these ministries and determine how a partnership can help fulfill the calling and vision that God has given them.
Usually, this means an American-based church team partners with a Dominican or Salvadoran ministry to offer training, support, construction and resources. Recently, a unique partnership was formed between our Dominican workers and Salvadoran ministries to help construct missionary housing and provide the training needed to host additional mission teams.
Russell Jerez, our Dominican Director of Construction, flew together with two young helpers and spent over two weeks helping transform an old building into mission-team housing. Later, a second team including Russell, Maria Maggallenes and our Dominican head cook, Ondina, came to help train Salvadoran ladies in the art of cooking for Americans and continue construction work. Ondina had never been out of her country before, but she thoroughly enjoyed sharing an important part of the Dominican mission history – recipes handed down to her from missionary Dorretta Brown. One night, Ondina, the Salvadoran cooks and mission participants joined their talents to make an international meal – pupusas, Dominican chicken, plantains and yucca fritters.
JOY IN TRAINING
There is no greater joy than to experience how God multiplies our “widow’s mite” or our inadequate offerings of loaves and fishes when we offer our talents to train others in another country, in another language.
Opportunities are many and varied and have included:
A presentation on communication in marriage for couples and additional moms who attended without their partners.
ESL classes that help translators and teachers practice and improve their own skills, as well as develop effective strategies to teach the children in their schools.
A college student shared coping strategies for anxiety with teen girls, many acquired from her own experiences. Using real-life examples shared by the Dominican girls, they paired stressors with Scriptures written on paper swords to confront and overcome the effects of anxiety.
Language development, using principles from speech therapy and early learning methods, provoked “aha” moments and lively discussions with the directors and staff from the Christian schools.
JOY IN OUTREACH TO NEW MINISTRIES
In Ciudad Arce, children greeted the team with personalized posters declaring their Bienvenida/Welcome, followed by the opening prayer and the reading of Psalm 100, both led by six-year-old children. The ministry includes early childhood grades, English and computer classes for adults and an open-air church that meets on the patio. Formerly the headquarters of an infamous gang with a painted skull at the entrance, today a fledgling church visibly proclaims the power of the Gospel to transform.
A special joy accompanies the privilege of assisting partnering local churches to accomplish the vision God has given them. Tromping up, down and around ruts and cow patties, the team followed the Salvadoran leaders to the Escalon village to view a rough lean-to, the site of a new church plant. Earlier, a local resident begged the Peniel church at Zaragoza, “Come over and help us.” Although economic circumstances have severely limited their resources, the Peniel churches share a strong calling to reach their people for Christ. Stretched beyond capacity in their own churches, they asked our mission team, “Would we be willing to come and see?” The answer had to be yes! We saw and participated in a service and now we wait on God to fulfill His promises: “My God will meet all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” We ask for your prayers.
JOY IN SATISFYING NEEDS OF THE HUNGRY
Solomon promises that sharing our bread with the poor will be blessed. Each STCH Ministries mission trip schedules time for participants to purchase groceries and make personal visits to the homes of identified families with a high level of need. The shopping list contains no snacks or pre-prepared foods common in United States culture. We avoid perishables and items they can grow themselves. The list includes many unfamiliar items, such as Munne chocolate bars, canned or powdered milk, cornmeal and brown sugar (white sugar is considered unhealthy). There are lots of sardines, tuna and canned vegetables, along with three-foot-long rolls of salami and large cans of tomato paste. Toothpaste, bars of soap and toilet paper are also included.
There is an air of excitement mixed with unfamiliarity as the shopping team divides into groups of two and competes to see who can finish their list first. As each bright yellow cart is filled and passed through the checkout, the grocery bags are numbered to identify the family who will receive the food offering. A Dominican translator accompanies each delivery group. Stark empty cupboards give mute evidence to the shy confession, mixed with relief and gratitude: “We had no food. We prayed God would see our need. My children didn’t go to school because we had no breakfast and nothing for their lunch bag either.” Givers and receivers bond as prayer needs are shared. A special joy accompanies the delivery to each home. With new awareness of our blessings, we are challenged to live more responsibly with the resources God has granted us.
Much of the work of a mission week occurs before the group arrives. The joy of anticipation accompanies Zoom meetings between the team leaders and STCH Ministries staff in both countries, making lists and checking them not just twice, but multiple times. Boots-on-the-ground prepare the rooms, reserve transportation, and plan menus, special music and activities. Lumber is purchased and prepared for participants to build beds for children and tables for a school. Yes, we could send money and supplies, but the joy of presence far outweighs the sacrifice and efforts invested.
Jeremiah records God’s words: “I will find joy in doing good for them…” God finds joy in doing good things for us, His children. Later in Hebrews, we read, “For the joy that was set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” It was joy that motivated the cross. What an amazing thought! Made in His image, created on purpose for a purpose. Sent to love in His name, sent to give, sent to sacrifice. Joy is our motivation, and joy is our heritage as we serve and do good for others.
