As we close out our time here in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico, we attended our final Sunday morning service with the children. We stood together in worship, singing “Oh, cómo Él nos ama” (“Oh, How He Loves Us”) and clapping along to Praise by Elevation Worship.

While we worshiped, I thanked the Lord for all the moments our team has shared with the kids here - braiding hair, drawing pictures, chasing chickens, shooting basketball, making bracelets, dancing to the Macarena, playing ninja, and so much more.

In each of those moments, I felt Yahweh’s grace and compassion so abundantly.

The heaviness of the children’s stories is tangible and heartbreaking. They have walked through more than we will ever fully understand. Hearing even pieces of their stories has deeply shifted my perspective.

Christ’s heart is sorrowful for these little ones.

As a team, we have had the privilege of living life alongside them – playing games, learning a new language, cooking meals, laughing, worshiping Jesus, and other everyday moments. In doing so, we have felt just a glimpse of the depth of love the Lord has for them. And in that, we’ve also stepped into open doors of opportunity for lasting impact.

Currently living at the orphanage with the children, we serve as the “hands and feet” of Jesus, hoping to share the Lord’s love with them. But one thing has become very clear: His love is already here.

The ministry here has been less about what we can, on our own, contribute and more about discerning where God is already at work and how He is inviting us to participate with Him.

The question becomes: how can we partner with Him?

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 

– 1 Corinthians 3:9

Jesus goes before us and wants us to walk with Him.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  

– Deuteronomy 31:8

Saying “yes” to the Lord means shared purpose, relationship, and participation. It’s walking with God, not simply doing tasks for Him. God is already moving and working here in this place; we just get the opportunity to join Him.

By saying “yes” to partnering here, we have been blessed to encounter the Lord’s heart for these kids: a heart full of compassion, love, and grace over every one of them. I am so grateful for the partnership I’ve experienced here over the past six weeks.

Along with serving relationally, we have partnered with the Lord in many other ways here. Our ministry has included academics that equip us to serve well, community fellowship, planting a garden, and learning how to market and promote coffee to support the orphanage financially. 

Every part of it matters.

Every ministry becomes what you invest in it, wherever God has placed you. 

And for those reading from home, you do not have to be on the frontlines in another country to be serving with Jesus. 

Sometimes you are the knees in prayer. Sometimes you are the shoulders carrying the weight. Sometimes you are doing the internal work of reconciling your own heart. Sometimes you are the heartbeat that keeps the body moving.

That is still ministry. It always has been.

Scripture shows us that ministry is serving, loving, reconciling, and walking with God – whether that happens publicly or in the quiet, ordinary spaces of life. 

Every faithful act done in love counts.

Life is ministry. Ministry is life.

However, the Lord may still be calling you into more or into new. You may know this because you feel a desire in your heart to tangibly pour out and serve as the “hands and feet”. 

The Lord’s call is gentle and simple.

As the Lord serves us, He calls us to serve others:

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  

 – John 13:14–15

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 

– 1 John 4:11

You may be at home thinking, I wish I had the opportunity to serve more. But you can.

Ministry is not always something you need to seek out. Often, it is already being offered to you.

Sometimes the “more” we’re searching for is simply stewarding what is already in front of us.

And maybe you have been given the capacity for more – but it starts with faithfulness.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

– 1 Peter 4:10

Start by asking the Lord:

• Where have You placed me in this season?
  Am I walking in the place You have appointed for me?

• If I am, where are You already at work here?
  How are You inviting me to join You?

• If I am not, where are You calling me to step in faith?
  What obedience would position me where You want me?

If your focus is on our day-to-day partnership with Christ, the question becomes: How can I serve today? Pray and ask the Lord to highlight the people, places, and acts of service you can join in with right where you are.

God has unique opportunities for each of us to serve in ways that are different, as we are different parts of one body, but equally important. 

We simply have to recognize where He has placed us and choose to say “yes” to fulfill the ministry before us. 

And if you don’t know where that is He wants you, pray that He would remove distractions and narrow your focus onto Him – to become like a racehorse wearing blinders, so he can stay fixed on the path ahead.

To close, I want to share how our team finished our time here at Casa Hogar Alegre:

We celebrated with “Fiesta Day,” a day full of joy before saying goodbye. We had carnival games, relay races, bounce houses, face painting, giant piñatas, a kids’ market, hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, a photo booth, and so much fun. In just a couple of days, our team will leave. 

But Casa Hogar Alegre – and these children – will still be here. And we will carry our love for them with us.

There are still tangible needs here. Items many of us never think twice about – soap, nutritious food, blankets, pillows, sports equipment, school supplies – are not always guaranteed for these children. The orphanage is also understaffed and struggling to pay fair wages and cover basic maintenance needs, even things like repairing toilets and broken windows. 

Casa Hogar Alegre is currently seeking to raise $10,000 – or find 200 people willing to give $50 a month – to help provide stability and essential resources for the children.

If your heart is moved, I encourage you to pray, pray for the kids and for the orphanage. And ask the Lord if He is inviting you to partner more. If you feel led, please consider supporting this ministry so these children can experience greater stability and care.

You can donate here:
https://www.alegrecasahogar.org/donate

And please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you want to learn more. I would truly love to share more about what God is doing here.