A life challenged and changed

"Being in Kiskunmajsa with the Bus4Life team was such a blessing," said Marlize, a short-term worker from the UK. "Without understanding the language, I was still able to feel the love those people had for the Lord. It truly showed me how Christ works cross-culturally, and loves everyone. It was amazing for me to experience God’s love through these people, to see how they put their lives on hold to help with the outreach project, cooking for us and giving us a place to sleep."

Marlize reports how encouraging it was to spend time with the team, and to see how each team member personally experienced God in such a powerful way that week, providing for each in every way. "This made me think about how small my faith could be at times, and how I don’t give the Lord the chance to work in my life because I am unwilling to give it over to Him. Luckily He doesn’t give up easily and makes me aware of this fact, so that I can work on it, and as Paul points out in Phil. 1 ‘He will work on me, as well as, continuing His good work until we are perfect on the day Christ returns’. How I’m looking forward to that day!"

Marlize was especially touched by the widow who needed her fence built. "She is obviously very poor but still shared what she had." The first day in Kiskunmajsa Marlize and the team walked around town to invite people to the town square. Nicole, Emily, Tamas, the pastor and I were in the same group, and while heading towards the Gypsy town, we passed the widow’s house. The widow happened to see Nicole’s shoe break and without further thought, gave Nicole her shoes to use. This act of kindness touched Marlize deeply, challenged by the widow who did not first stop to think and consider the implications it would have for her, but gave abundantly what she had to someone who needed it more!

"Although I was in Kiskunmajsa for just a very short time, it meant the world to me," said Marlize. "God spoke to my heart, making me realise that He needed me to work for him, and that He could only train me to do the job He had in mind if I let Him."

I have always wondered what a calling was and how people could say they had one, but I can say now, not only do I understand what it is but I also know what it feels like to have one. "

I know God wants me to continue His work in my life, but also to use me as part of His great plan. I’m not too sure about the details yet, but every time I get edgy about it, the verse in Ps 46 that says ‘be still and know that I’m God’ comes to mind. I need to ‘let go and let God’ - His timing is perfect!