First things first: a little recap on the last few weeks. My squad decided to leave Nepal one week early to debrief and rest in Malaysia. I will admit that I strongly desired to stay the whole month in Nepal. However, many on our squad needed that one week in Malaysia and I needed it more than I expected. I also found out that I was fully funded while I was in Nepal. Praise and honor to our Lord Jesus! Thank you to all supporters for your prayers and donations.
Now, my team Fearless and I are in Penang, working with a World Race alumna. She has set up four different opportunities for us here. Two involve teaching English/painting, one is a house of prayer, and the other is a homeless day shelter. I’ve already loved getting to know our friends here. This month is going to be a great one!
As for my main intent in writing this post…
Why go? This is a question many people ask themselves (and others) concerning short term “missions” trips. I find that question typically arises from people unfamiliar with short term trips.
The main reasons we go, besides to glorify the Father and spread the Good News, are to come alongside long term workers. To encourage them. To share their stories. To serve them.
After being on the field for almost six month now (halfway through!), I’ve learned that these friends around the world bless us just as much as we get to bless them. They have taught me greatly about what it means to honor God with their whole lives.
What I really love is the diversity in what they do. Some cook and clean for children who have major disabilities. Others teach, administrate, and coach all at once. Others take care of the needs of the families in their communities. Some literally give up all to come and intercede on behalf of a nation(prayer house staff).
They challenge me. They inspire me. They bless me. The long term workers we’ve met have prayed for us in our greatest times of need (for personal illness, for family problems, for major decisions, for tragedies that have involved our squad…and so much more).
Also, short term trips are often what lead people into long term service. We get to see what life on the field, away from comfort zones, is really like. We get to catch dreams for the nations. We get to pray for people groups we may have never heard of before. The Lord moves in big ways.
People may say, ‘wouldn’t it be more cost effective to just send money?’
I’d beg to differ. The eternal investment is immeasurable. God gives us wisdom in financial stewardship. However, sometimes He asks us to do things that don’t make much sense to the world. Lives being changed for Christ? That’s not just cost effective…that’s priceless.
To our hosts and contacts over the past months (and future months): Thank you for serving us. Thank you for praying for us. Most importantly, thank you for following Him to the ends of the earth.
