Dominican Republic Mission Trip
Which Job Would You Choose? ~ The Importance of Teamwork
While on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic where we served at the Fundacion Red de Misericordia (FRM), the Mercy Network Foundation, an orphanage for Dominican children, I was reminded of the necessity and importance of teamwork. Over the course of eight days, we tackled many different jobs and responsibilities. As part of our team of 18 people, our team included professionals, students, parents, and, across the board, people willing to serve. With a variety of job options and important responsibilities of every kind, which job would you choose? For sure, the entire trip emphasizes once again the importance of teamwork.
Which Job Would You Choose?
Clockwise above, you can see a number of jobs. The first (top left) is helping teach a classroom of children. The second (top right) created all kinds of challenges as this group cleaned up a goat pen. The third (bottom right) involved one-on-one interaction with the children for a craft. The fourth (bottom middle) is teaching a lesson to a full conference. The fifth (bottom left) was organizing an equipment shed.
On the picture below, you can see a different set of jobs. The sixth (top left), Bill teaches the nightly devotion. The seventh (top middle), Macey feeds one of the sweet toddlers. The eighth (top right), Andy places soccer with a whole group of boys. The ninth (bottom right), Anna feeds one of the infants. The tenth (bottom middle right), Taryn plays with a child using scarfs. The eleventh (bottom middle center), I hold a sick little one who had been crying. The twelfth (bottom middle left), Kara plays on the toddler indoor playground with a young girl. The thirteenth (bottom left), Anna holds one of the sweet ones from the nursery outdoors for some fresh air.
The Importance of Teamwork
At the end of the day, the body of Christ is very diverse. We all have different talents and passions. Whereas one is happy to feed an infant, another prefers to do a project. When one person prefers not to sit one-on-one with a child, another longs for the opportunity. The one who does not prefer to sit one-on-one with a child may also be the one who is willing to do hard and dirty work. Every person doing different things gets many jobs accomplished.
With the team we took to the DR, every person was willing to do whatever was asked. For a leader, what a joy that kind of willing spirit is. In the end, we bless others by our willingness to serve in any capacity needed.
Yet, people also brought their own personal passions. One was better at basketball than soccer. That’s perfect, because we had kids needing engagement at both. Several others preferred to do projects around the school and orphanage rather than specifically teach, help in a classroom, or feed babies. Again, that’s perfect. Projects prove just as helpful to the folks we are there to serve.
Time after time we see God bring a mission team or just those in normal church life together. They work together like a great orchestra to create beautiful ministry where people express and experience the work of the Holy Spirit through the body of Christ. What a great joy this is.
As the Apostle Paul wrote:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor 12:4-11)
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Cor 12:20-26)
What a great blessing as God uses each one of us in our own strengths and gifting to bless His people, the people in the world around us, and to live as those who give glory to God through demonstrating His love to others.
Which job would you choose? It does not matter. We each will choose something that fits where God has us.
Are you willing to do whatever you’re asked? I hope so. Our team sure was willing.
Teamwork for the glory of God – the joy of God using all of us together is incredible as we love God supremely and love our neighbors sincerely.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
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