Leader vs Server

More observations of the French culture

While helping serving the meals every day with a team of local French people, I learned it's no option to serve the starter together with the main dish. Even we were in a kind of camp-setting and not in a haute couture restaurant and were running out of time, it was non negotiable to be more practical and serve the paté with the pasta or the melon with the cauliflower. That would be embarrassing. It had to go in a three course lunch and diner;)

Serving

I'm a leader. It comes natural to me. All things I've been doing are in leadership roles. As a teacher, as leading kids ministry or as a youth leader. Leading kids clubs, camps, leading worship or a part of the fruitbusiness or organizing workshops or being on a leaderboard, you name it. I feel comfortable to be in charge. But this week, I was not in charge, I was only there to help, to be available where ever I was needed. At first I didn't know how to deal with that. Not knowing what's coming, what job I would be on and if I was able to do it. Therefore, I was so happy getting the coffee and meals -job in between of the services;) 

Ministering

The word ministry literally refers to the act of serving, within a religious, spiritual or humanitarian context. This school serves people who want to grow in their relationship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This week teachings were all about "hearing God's voice". In order to learn to discern His voice, it's important to search your heart and to get rid of ungodly beliefs and other stuff that are hindering this ability. For this reason we've always a ministry team on board to pray for people and to seal what the Holy Spirit is already doing in them. One morning, people were quiet, focussing on the Lord, the music was playing softly and we as team were walking around, laying hands on people. I was standing behind a lady, my hands on her shoulders, then someone else from the team put a hand on me and suddenly the power of the Holy Spirit came over me, I wasn't able to stand upright anymore, could only bow under His Presence. It flowed to the woman I was still touching and all we could do and wanted to do was staying connected to that wonderful, loving and Holy Presence. The Father Himself was ministering to the three of us...

French-English Speaking

I don't speak French. But most of the French people don't speak English. Or a little bit. During small groups, one of the team tried to translate between them and me. It was a mission impossible.:) They 're speaking really fast, forget to pause for translation and she tried to summarize while they kept on talking, and then since she's French, she has that accent and I got lost haha. 

On my way home

It was just one week, but intens. I'm glad I didn't sign up for the full three weeks. For this first time, it was enough. Next time perhaps two weeks;) At the end of August I'll be attending a big Catch the Fire conference in Bulgaria, together with Noah. John & Carol also will be there. I'm looking forward to meet them again, even it ' ll only be for a while, since they 'll be busy teaching and ministering.

I'm sorry, I didn't take many pictures, just forgot it...

Thanks for sharing in my journey again and responding. We'll meet again, in person or in my next blog!

love & blessings, Marieke