As part of the Ministry Services department in Bolivia, we know that our role is to support the core functions of Program Communications and Program Implementation. We also know that one of the pillars supporting the bridge we represent is service.

But our question was whether we could serve our church partners in some other way than what we normally do every day.

We decided to do something different, something that made us feel not only good but satisfied. One day our whole team went to a church partner located in a city a considerable distance away. When we got there, the people of the church received us very kindly. Of course, they imagined that we were there to supervise their work.

Great was their surprise when we told them that we had come to give them whatever help they needed.

We had a plan to help them, and we each had a role. Some of us made supper while others cleaned up the kitchen. Another group cleaned bathrooms. Others visited some children’s homes and some supported tutors in the classrooms.

It was an unforgettable experience: wearing aprons and gloves, washing huge pots and striving to make everything in the kitchen shine.

And then to see children’s smiles when they received a little help in their tasks or when one of us simply listened!

We really saw the innocence, humility and purity of God’s love in every one of them.

It may be that many of us had sore backs the next day, but our spirits were overflowing with happiness. It was an experience that helped us appreciate the work that our church partners do day to day and realize that the work we all do as part of the ministry of Compassion is a service dedicated to God.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. …”  — Colossians 3:23, NIV

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the opportunity we have to serve others as You served us.

Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.

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What is excellence? Excellence is answering God’s call to the best of our abilities with the gifts and resources He has given us. It is carrying out God’s work with an attitude of enjoyment.

Excellence is exceeding the expectations of the world and striving to meet God’s standards. Excellence honors God.

To be excellent one must be grounded in Christ, as He is the source of all strength.

At Compassion, we desire to imitate God in all we do, and as a result we commit to excellence so that we may carry out our mission in a way that honors Him.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Listen to Dawn Williams, Vice President of Finance, talk about the importance of striving for excellence.

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