Business meets Ministry

The longer I am here, the more I am introduced to different topics I had never thought about before.

One of those is a different look at Ministries that have a Business connected to them.

As I was preparing to come to Poland, the thought really didn't cross my mind that Sweet Surrender was not only a ministry but also a business. In my head it was just a Ministry that sold stuff, if that makes since. But after being here, seeing the behind scenes of what it takes to actually run this Ministry/Business I have realized there is a whole lot more to it.

Some coffee ministries have really awesome ministries, but not very good coffee.

Then some have really REALLY awesome coffee, but barely keep it together on the ministry side.

So as we look and see these facts, of coarse our goal is to be the best of both worlds (not only Hannah Montana has that problem) but from what I have seen it is a whole lot harder then it looks. Just like most things in life.

Here at Sweet Surrender we strive to make every thing perfect. Our coffee & tea comes from the best farms (usually independent farms getting the money they deserve), All of our baked goods are made on sight from recipes that have had a LOT of thought put into them, and the decorating of the shop is done by the Main missionary in a very specific way- that most people can't keep there eyes off of.

But what about the ministry side? Have we worked as hard as we have on the business side? I noticed this while I was helping out in the Poznan shop. How somedays after a long day of work, making coffee after coffee, cleaning loads full of dirty dishes, and making sure all orders are filled on time. Actually making time to socialize with people, making friendships doesn't come as easy as you would have thought.

Right now in Krakow, are doors to our shop are not "officially" open. When the health inspector came through and checked out our shop, he noticed a wall needed to be built inside the kitchen. A wall that was in the original plans, but got left out when the actual constructing was happening.

So two weeks after our Grand Opening and we are still not open. The mess of construction still fills our kitchen and leaves thick layers of dust on our once clean dishes. But me & Katie come everyday 10 to 6 and do all that we can do, just like we are open.... but not. Ha. We have a lot time to think all that we can, and these thoughts have been on my mind the last couple of days. How badly I want to strive to make this shop equal parts of business & ministry. I believe that we can do it, not only because of the powerful team we have here, but also I can see God's hand clearly in everything here. I know he has huge plans for this place and I am just so thankful to be apart of it.

I hope these wonderings made since. This update was not as informative as usual, but more of my thoughts.

Thanks for listening.

Comments

Trela said…
Emily it sounds awesome. I am tickled pink to be part of your life. I know that it will work because as you said the hand of God is upon you. As the scripture says in Luke 4:18..."The Spirit of the Lord is on You, because he has anoninted You to preach good news to the poor. he has sent you to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to releas the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (paraphased slightly by me)
March 31, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Long time comin'

Let me start you out with a few facts: * I finally called my parents on saturday. It had been 13 days since we last talked. * It has been 19 days since my last post. * 3 months since I moved into my new apartment . Today I have finally posted the pictures. Ok. Yeah so life has been jam packed as of late. I have many exscuses, but I am just going to say dont be sad that I havent been on the internet. Because friends it has been a good thing. I needed to just live HERE for a while. With no distractions of home or other thoughts in my mind. I needed time, to focus on life here. I had gotten back into a rut again. I for some reason forgot why I was here. I was unhappy for no reason. Thankfully I gave it to God, and he my friends yanked me out. He reminded me once again why I am here, and now has really given me the passion I have been looking for here. You do not know how different my days are when I get up in the morning now. I actually want to get up. I am so thankful, because for so lon...
Read more

Soon and very soon....

This coming sunday will be a month since I have been in Krakow. I love how at the end of my last post I wrote how updates would come soon. I guess in my time, that means a month. Ha, sorry for waiting so long on telling you what has been happening here. I guess I tend to get so wrapped up in things, I forgot theres another world out there (outside of Yonkers...) Anyways, me and my roommate Katie (who is pretty much amazin' by the way) have gotten our apartment all set up, learned exactly how to get to ikea by tram and a couple buses, and we have learned where to find really really good cupcakes. But on the serious side of things the coffee shop is coming along, and everyday something is happening. Almost all of the plumbing & construction is done, there is just still lots of small things that tend to add up. Today we FINALLY got our really nice espresso machine all hooked up so now we can make the world's best cup of coffee. At least we shall try. Through connections fr...
Read more

What a year and 3 months can do...

In the past 3 weeks the shop has tripled with buisness. It has been unbelievable, exciting, and to be honest VERY tiring.  But it has been amazing to see people filling the shop at all hours of the day. All different kinds of people: Business men and women in need of a shot of espresso to get them through the day.  Tourists that heard from their tour guide that we have the best cheesecake in town :) Students cramming for their final exams, chugging down cappuccino after cappuccino. Families that were out for an evening walk, that our in desperate need of a nice cold fresh orange juice. This is what we are to our community. We are the morning wake up call, the home away from home, and always the place to come and relax.  Last night we had a "New Summer Menu Party" and we also celebrated the shop being open for a year. Actually it's been open a year and 3 months, but it just took us a little while to get the party together :) It was a gre...
Read more