The longer we walk with Jesus, the more His fire burns in our hearts to serve and love God and our neighbors. In John 15 Jesus says, “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” It is an error to think we are called to follow Jesus in our own strength. Right before giving this command to love, He says, “apart from me, you can do nothing.” In other words, we must lean into His grace to serve.
At Compassion Connect, we find this deeply encouraging because we can trust that He will guide us in serving others, using our gifts and talents to further His kingdom. He simply asks us to abide in Him and give a courageous yes to wherever He may lead.
Our Compassion Tanzania team was filled with people who gave God their courageous yes. As we interviewed our volunteers, we found a common thread in every story: God used them. He used their talents, experiences, and personalities to love, serve, and share the gospel with the Tanzanian people. Not one volunteer was without impact. Why? Because God works through those who are willing. We hope these snippets of Jose and Judi’s stories encourage you to take a leap of faith and serve your community, trusting that God will meet you there.
Many of you know Jose, our Arizona Facilities Coordinator. This trip was his very first time on a plane. He flew 44 hours to Tanzania, not for adventure, but because he wanted to connect with people and help however he could. Jesus used Jose’s expertise to advance building projects at the local church and health institute where Tanzanian locals are being trained to provide compassionate healthcare. Projects that seemed impossibly large were underway. Jose put it this way:
“(When they told me what they needed) I was like, oh no, what did I get myself into. But you know what? We’re going to go out there. We’re going to do what we can. That’s how I kept thinking. We’re just going to do our best.”
And God used him. The team laid an entire foundation for the church, one of many projects Jose helped with. But his service went beyond physical labor. God arranged divine appointments where Jose formed genuine friendships with local men who had walked through hardships similar to his own. They were encouraged by his testimony and he was encouraged by theirs. We don’t believe this was a coincidence.
Judi, a longtime Compassion Connect champion, also answered God’s call, even after feeling discouraged about whether she could make a difference. She heard Jesus whisper, “I’m not done with you yet,” and she stepped forward. Judi encourages us all:
“I guess I just want to say to whoever is listening [reading] to this, don’t ever think it’s too late for God to use you.” “Don’t think you’re too young—God can still use you. Don’t think you’re too old—God can still use you. God gives you what you need.”
Judi became an invaluable part of the team, using her experience as a nurse to compassionately serve each guest who walked through the doors of the Compassion Tanzania Clinic. On top of that, God answered one of her prayers. After losing her husband three years ago, Judi has longed to share the hope she has found in Jesus through such a heartbreaking loss. She has prayed that God would bring widows into her path who she could encourage. In Tanzania, He did just that, using her to bring comfort and hope to a widow.
Friends, we cannot stress this enough: God uses those who are willing. He uses the unique aspects of our stories and lives to care for others and share His love. If you are looking for a place to serve, we would love to walk alongside you as you step out in faith, trusting Jesus to use you both locally and internationally. Judi and Jose’s testimonies encourage us so deeply.
Another common thread in their stories? They prayed. Each sought the Lord about whether they should go. And as Jesus guided them forward, they responded in faith and bravery, trusting that He knew the path. May we also trust that He has a place for us to serve and follow His command to love one another. He will guide us. We need only be willing.
Give Jesus your courageous yes. He is going to use it.