Leadership and Big Boots
One thing that I heard often when preparing to be a missionary was “Be flexible.” In my five years of full-time ministry, I can agree that this is a good piece of advice. This doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan, but instead, be open to the movement of the Spirit. People need different things, maybe an outreach isn’t going well, or you must give up your plan for an alternative solution. This is all well and good, in theory, but until I started living out this idea of “being flexible,” I did not realize how difficult it would be at times. This last year, I had to put a lot of this into practice because my co-worker would leave Hungary at the end of the summer. Not only would I be losing a friend, roommate, and partner in ministry, but I would also have to pick up a lot of her job to make sure that English ministries in Hungary would still run. In the span of one person’s decision to follow God to the next part of her story, I was put in charge of a whole branch of ministry.
This past year, I had the opportunity to work alongside my co-worker as she walked me through all the parts of the job, mainly planning and directing camps, which I would have to take up. It was a blessing to be able to have this year of transition while she was still on the field. It consisted of many meetings, little reminders, working through tasks together, and constant communication. Even with her still present with me, the weight of English Camps rested on my shoulders. I held the power of decision-making, even with a small group around me to bounce ideas off and talk through the options. All year, I lead meetings to check in on the process of preparing for camps, I made the English curriculum, I worked to finalize the daily themes of camp, I listened to what felt like 100s of songs for listening exercises, I read articles trying to find the right balance of content and what matched our theme, and I marketed the camp through our social media. Until, finally, the summer arrived.
While at camp, there were things that still felt familiar while I was leading. I’m used to being the face of camp. Morning and evening programs are prime examples. I would get up in front of the whole camp, greet the group, and lead everyone in some silly songs, dances, and a game. I also hand out prizes, interview different members of our staff, and give the daily announcements. This year felt a little different as I also had to lead a morning devotional thought for the teenagers to begin to connect with our theme. Not only was I the director of camp for the Hungarian teenagers who came, but I also had to lead the staff of volunteers who came to help. I lead 2 staff meetings a day, provided feedback and support, and headed our orientation time before camp began to help give the staff a picture of what the week would look like.
“There were many plates I had to keep spinning throughout the year to make camps happen. I confess, at times I wasn’t sure that I would be able to do it.”
There were many plates I had to keep spinning throughout the year to make camps happen. I confess, at times I wasn’t sure that I would be able to do it. I am not my co-worker, we operate differently. Are camps even possible with me at the helm? I would pray while the campers were at different programs that the Lord would use me in my weakness to bring him glory. And the Lord shaped me as though I were clay. I had to be flexible with the staff and campers, who needed different things. I had to be patient when one group of staff was stuck in Paris for an extra night before camp began. I had to be brave when facing conflict and disagreements. I had to be gracious when my plan was put aside for a better idea.
As I look back on camps this summer, I am proud of the work and care that made them possible. I am thankful that God uses people, like me, to do his work. I am excited for what the future holds as I look toward directing more English camps in Hungary. And I pray that I can stay flexible in the Potter’s hands.
