Question and Answers!

Are you ever shy to
share the Gospel? How open are the people to

Jesus and how
dangerous is it to share?

I’m never really shy to share the gospel. Sharing can be
done in different ways. God calls us to be imitators of His love so I do
believe that when I show God’s love to others it opens the door for a spiritual
conversation. I’m just sharing the gospel and showing them God’s love. That is
something that is really important to me and is a significant part of my life
so it’s easy for me to talk about it.

In Malaysia
it was illegal to bring up the gospel since most people are Muslim, but if a
Muslim brought up the topic it was ok to discuss.  We showed God’s love through our works and it
made people ask us if we were Christians.

When I was in Cambodia many of the people are
Buddhists. I lived in a small village for aobut a month. We went and built
relationships with the families there. I can say that I truly loved the people
I spoke to. My team and I would go from door to door and just talk with the
people or help them with daily chores. They knew that we were Christian and
they began to ask questions about Christianity. So we spoke about Jesus and we
did not hold back. The conversation was respectful from both sides. Ultimately,
we ended up having the chief of the village and the elders come over to our
place for dinner. They said that they loved the work that we Christians were
doing in his village and that they appreciated us so much and they hoped for us
to come back. Some of the work we did was teaching at the school, providing
food for local villagers, lending a helping hand and just taking a moment to
have a sincere conversation with them.

In the Philippines
we were able to meet with the governor of Bukidnon. He was also a believer and
he asked us to tell his co workers aobut Jesus during one of his meetings.

I n Thailand
we were in a tourist location. Our main goal was to lead the women back to the
organization SHE (self-help and empowerment) this is a Christian organization
that gives other opportunities for women to thrive. We made it clear to them
that they were loved by God. Even though most never took it seriously, I do
believe that seeds were planted in there hearts and future WorldRacers will
continue to water those seeds with the love of God.

Here in Africa we preach a
lot. Everyone is very open to the gospel Nearly ever one we meet is a pastor
it’s kind of comical. When we say that we are missionaries everyone gets
excited. They treat us so well here! I feel like I don’t deserve all the hospitality.
 They want to make sure that we feel at
home.

Do you sense His
presence stronger on the mission field?

I’m definitely growing here on the mission field and I’m
becoming more aware of God’s voice. There are times when I can sense God
comforting me.  I can feel His spirit
strongly, but what I’m realizing is that it is not different from when I am at
home. The only thing that was different was me. Back in the U.S. I was so absorbed in myself
and what I needed to get done and where I needed to go that I could not see
when God was calling me or comforting me. When I slowed down and focused on Him
that is when I saw Him move big time.

It is the same here on the mission field. When I focus on
God and have my quiet time each morning with Him I can hear Him a lot easier,
but there are definitely days where I’m annoyed or frustrated which closes me
of to God. However, I know that God is still there. His presence is the same
both on the mission field and back home, but it is up to me to listen to Him and
desire to obey.

Also, I do believe that the faith of so many people praying
for me back home and the faith of the people here on the field is what brings
the presence of God strongly in to presence. I don’t think it’s the location
necessarily, but it’s that  fact that
people want to  see Him manifest himself
in this world and that desire and faith that people have is what brings His
presence stronger here.

Do  you feel closer to the Lord and have more
understanding of the

Word since you are
“co-laboring” with Him?

I definitely feel like I’m growing spiritually so my
relationship with Him has gotten deeper. But of course there are times when I
just don’t feel that close to God. Being on the mission field is definitely
different from the environment back home mainly because our focus is spreading
the gospel of God. However, we are still human and the fact is I don’t desire
to share His word 24/7 and at times I just want to shut everyone out. It’s
challenging being on the mission field, but it’s also just a different way of
living. The work that God does here in Africa can also be seen in the US. God is the
same here and in the US.
There should not be a “missionaty mode” or if there is one it should be
switched on all the time. I feel that every believer should be “co-laborers” of
Christ.  but let me tell you growth isn’t
easy. There are certain characteristics in my personality that I needed to
change because I notice that it wasn’t in line with God’s character and who he
has called me to be.

Do you feel
“forever changed” as a result of this trip?