So it’s been 5 months since returning home from the World Race. And I still get asked, “How’s it been adjusting back to ‘normal life’?” If I’m completely honest, ask me any given moment, and I’ll respond with a, “I’m doing great. It’s good to be home.” And if you ask me again 10 minutes later I may respond, “Today’s actually been kind of hard”.
A dear friend from college asks me, “how’s missionary life in Illinois?” She knows that my missionary existence didn’t end when I set foot on American soil. It’s a continuation. Sure it may look differently. I have running water, electricity, food at arms length. I have a warm house when it’s chilly. And I can escape extreme heat, and not fret about how much it’s going to cost from my monthly budget.
However, there’s still a mission field. There are still people who don’t know or have a relationship with this amazing friend, Jesus.
One of the many questions I asked the Lord a year ago was, “Why am I so aware of spiritual darkness overseas compared to when I’m at home”? The Lord gently whispered a promise. “You will notice it when you go home, this time”. A part of me was fearful. Sometimes seeing the spiritual reality is heavy. However, there was also a sense of excitement and anticipation.
So since returning home, I’ve wondered when the Lord would reveal these things to me.
My first experience was upon returning to my apartment after a long day of work. I had briefly met my neighbors once. But haven’t had much opportunity to speak with them otherwise. I frequently hear the sounds of their sweet children playing and laughing. However, on this particular day it was different. Today, as I reached for my keys to unlock my door, prayers could be heard next door. But these weren’t the kind of prayers I find myself praying. These were different. The sounds I heard initially put me on edge. I was aware of something different. I sensed the spiritual confusion just feet from my doorway. I’m not certain of the entire family’s beliefs, but I met the grandparents, and immediately recognized the Hindu marks on their foreheads. I could hear the Hindu prayers being prayed. A few years ago, I probably would have been alarmed. But not today. On this day, I was comforted in the fact that I too could pray to my God. I could pray for my neighbors. And I knew the Lord was with me in that moment. Immanuel. I had no reason to fear.
Several weeks later, I had the privilege of meeting up with a former teammate, over lunch. It was a sweet time, and our conversation picked up where we left off., as if no time had passed. Although our time was brief, it was sweet. We were able to encourage one another, and pray with each other. After I said good bye, I walked back to my car, just down the street from the restaurant. As I’m walking alone, I am suddenly stop, and feel a heaviness on my chest. It’s the kind that stopped me in Peru, in Bolivia, and so many places all over the world. It especially reminded me of my brief time in Myanmar (Burma). I couldn’t explain it, but I knew something was wrong. As I whispered a short prayer to the Lord, I looked up from where I had stopped walking. Behold, in front of me stood none other than a store, with witchcraft and other mystical items. So there, by myself, I almost laugh out the words, “Oh, in Jesus name, absolutely not!” Once again as I prayed I felt peace.
Below: Jenn & I (March 2016)
So you see? People ask me what it’s like to be back from the mission field. But in all reality, everywhere is a mission field. It sounds corny. But I challenge you to try it yourself. Ask the Lord how you can pray for your community, or where you can be prayer walking. He’ll answer. Maybe through a neighbor. Or maybe through an area that’s heavily oppressed. Don’t be surprised if it happens somewhere where you never noticed it before. He did that with me often throughout the year. And now, He’s even showing me the battle here in the U.S. My best weapon? Scripture and prayer.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:25-27 (ESV)
