The Seed of Service: A Journey to Serving God’s Kingdom
- meetgodattheedgeof
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
Today’s testimony is brought to you by our Heavenly Father.
When I was young, my family attended a pretty active church. It was a place alive with faith, full of outreach programs and mission trips to Mexico. One of those opportunities gave my younger brother and me the chance to join a team traveling to Rosarito for a church gathering and campout.
It sounded exciting — an adventure with purpose.
Our church often visited the missionaries we sponsored, but this time we were going somewhere new. When we arrived, the “camp” turned out to be nothing more than an open area in the woods. It wasn’t a camp until we pitched our tents. Still, there was something beautiful in its simplicity. Seeing how others shared their small tents and made the best of what they had was humbling. My brother and I shared one tent, too, and I remember being thankful. It could have been a lot less comfortable.
That night, we met the Mexican mosquitoes. Any bit of uncovered skin was annihilated! The back of my elbow looked like a topographical map of bites. I’m grateful I didn’t get malaria.
Joy in Simple Service
I’ve always been an early riser, but when I stepped out of my tent that morning, people were already up and working — cooking breakfast and preparing lunch. One man was making tortillas by hand — and they turned out to be the best I’d ever tasted. I later learned he was missing a finger from a tortilla-making accident. Yet there he was every morning, smiling, serving, and helping feed others.
He made tortillas for the church kids, the campers, and even for orphans nearby. His
dedication amazed me. Then there were the women preparing eggs, beans, and rice. We discovered that the eggs were a special treat, reserved for us — their guests.
That kind of generosity stays with you. These people, who had so little by worldly standards, were overflowing with joy. Their laughter was contagious, their kindness undeniable. Even though we couldn’t speak the same language, we felt like family. You could sense the love of Christ in every smile and every act of service.
Lessons from the Field
During the day, the local boys were big into boxing. My brother and I had been in martial arts for a few years, so naturally, we joined in. We sparred, drew some blood, and called it even — but we walked away with new friends. Language didn’t matter. Kindness spoke louder.
Later, we hiked to a nearby lake and spent the day swimming with our new friends. The meals were small but meaningful — every bite stretched with care so everyone had enough. My brother and I were hungry, but in that hunger, God fed us with something deeper — gratitude.
That trip planted something in me — a seed of service. I saw that serving God’s Kingdom wasn’t about position or title. It was about the heart. These people worked tirelessly, smiled constantly, and lived joyfully, even when life was hard.
Prepared for Purpose
Looking back, I can see that God was preparing me even then. Those experiences shaped my faith, teaching me the true joy of serving others. I learned that serving God’s Kingdom often begins in simple, unseen moments — sharing a meal, lending a hand, or showing kindness when no one is watching.
I ended up going back to Rosarito more than 50 times over the years with my church youth group. Each trip deepened my understanding of what it means to live for something greater than myself.
Now, as I reflect on those days, I realize the Lord was training my heart for His work long before I recognized it. It’s funny how we can forget such monumental moments until God brings them back to mind. Maybe that’s because He’s about to use them again.
I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I do know this: God planted a seed long ago, and it’s still growing.
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
Thank You, Father, for another day to serve Your Kingdom.
