Back to the start

I began this blog to write about my experiences of ministry in Bangladesh and beyond. Then the pandemic began, and the trip’s delay turned into cancellation – and a new trajectory in my life began. 

I wanted to go and serve somewhere facing particular and tangible practical need, but not because I knew how to resolve this (I didn’t), rather because I longed to do something that I could do – to share in another’s humanity. Whatever else we were due to do as a team in Bangladesh, I had just one personal goal: to sit with people, to look them in the eye, and for them to feel they are not alone.

I felt that although there were many things I couldn’t do, here was something I could do. Something that others with other commitments and pressures in life perhaps couldn’t. And then the world shut down and I couldn’t do it either. 

I shelved my desire to go and serve in this way and moved on with life, but it was a desire dormant. And with God, dormant always gets activated in the end. 

In January 2022 I joined a team from Bethel Global Response and Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry to serve alongside a pastor who has dedicated his life to serving refugees and migrants in Tijuana, Mexico. Against all odds, he fulfilled his vision to build a large church building at the end of a dirt track in a small valley. Like Noah building the ark, people wondered why this pastor would do such a strange thing. But the Lord had told him nations would come. Now, his church houses the largest migrant centre in Tijuana, a large city bordering the United States. People from Haiti, central and South America all gather here as they seek entry into the US, often escaping trauma and violence in their home countries. 

We joined a team of medics from Hand of Hope, part of Joyce Meyer Ministries, to help run a medical clinic. I was placed in the dental surgery, which is ironic because I am terrible at going to the dentist. (I didn’t tell these dentists about this.)

I can’t speak Spanish. I don’t know anything about dental medicine (obviously). And because I was wearing a mask even my face couldn’t be clearly seen. But I could be present, and could show compassion. I learnt to smile with my eyes so I could extend kindness while wearing a mask that covered my mouth. I’ve not felt so alive in the whole of my year here as I did stood watching the children play football on a rocky patch of dirt by the church, or hearing people’s stories and extending honour and compassion. 

What God put in my heart two years ago was finally reactivated. My heart is burning for the Kingdom of God to come through the church in places like Tijuana. I will return on another ministry trip there in April, and if you’d like to help support me in the cost of doing so you can donate to me via PayPal.me/adventureswithgod – the cost is $300 (£228). Thank you!

If there were dreams God gave you before the pandemic, may you know a time is coming and perhaps is here right now for those to be reactivated!