Last Thursday was really hot….I mean REALLY HOT! The weather here in SVG has been hotter than normal lately, but for some reason the temperature was extra high on that day.
I passed out tracts and visited as usual on Thursday morning…
but was worn out with no energy and sore legs by 11:00.
Ministry always has spiritual and emotional challenges, but there are also physical challenges. That is particularly true in a place like Barrouallie where you do lots of walking, and there are hills to climb. To be honest, there will be some days when you won’t want to go out and evangelize.
Especially on days when I’m exhausted by 11:00!
On days like Thursday, I fall back on habits I’ve developed to deal with the particularly hot days.
- Wear Protection
- Drink lots of water
- And take breaks
Wearing protection is probably the most important thing that helps me evangelize in the heat. My prized possession for this is a hat my mother bought for me, and my brother brought in July. That hat is almost always on my head! Along with this is sunglasses, and lots of sunscreen!
The other important thing is drinking lots of water. My weariness on Thursday (and soreness of legs in particular) was a warning I’d become a little dehydrated, which isn’t surprising because of the extreme heat. I should have carried at least one bottle of water in my backpack, and extra water that would be kept in my car. Sipping water during the morning does a lot to help with weariness.
And finally taking a break….
I stayed home for a few hours Thursday drinking lots of water, and enjoying my fan 🙂 that allowed me to gain energy for ministry in the afternoons hot sun.
The point is, I cannot allow the weather to decide whether I evangelize or not….
So I must take care of myself physically.
and go back out into the heat.
In a post last week I shared how at an ordination council, a pastor exhorted the young man being questioned to know “ministry isn’t easy.” He said you cannot stay at home where it is safe and comfortable, you must go out the them.
Jesus came to us
The Gospel calls us to come to them instead of expecting them to come to us
so we put on our hat, apply more sunscreen, polish our sunglasses, and bring a few extra bottles of water.
And we go back out to proclaim the good news of the Gospel.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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