My adventure in Australia is now over, but it ended
with some pleasant surprises.
We all knew
at the beginning of the month that the conclusion of the Australian missions
work would bring about team changes at our debrief time at the end of the
month. It was more than just a team
change; it was leaving a close knit family, to become part of another one.
selected to lead one of these new teams as new squad leaders were selected from
the squad and leaving three spots vacant for new leaders. It’s an honour and
privilege to lead this new team and I truly feel unworthy of the task. However,
I know that God has appointed me to this and He has given me a peace beyond my
understanding. It’s been a dream of mine to lead young people into a deeper
relationship with God, to encourage them to live for a purpose greater than
themselves, to develop a Holy Discontent for the things that break God’s heart,
and to surrender every area of their lives to the will of God falling more and
more in love with Him. This leadership task has given me the opportunity to do
this in a really tangible way.
Our team name is Rooted (shout out to beloved
180ites), based on Psalms 1 and Ephesians 3:17. Trees are very symbolic of the
Christian life. In order to grow a tree starts as a seed, which must die to
take root in the soil. Trees are in a continual state of growth and are always
reproducing as they spread out there seeds, and a tree that is deeply rooted
can handle all opposition that comes its way. Trees need water and sunlight to
sustain themselves.
Metaphorically speaking as followers of Christ, we
have died to ourselves so that we can truly live. We are in a continual state
of growth and we are spreading the seeds of the gospel reproducing life in
those around us. We desire to be deeply Rooted in the truth of God’s Word so we
can handle all opposition, persecution, and trials that come our way. We are
Rooted by the River, filling our spiritual thirst with the Holy Spirit and we
hope that the light of Christ within us radiates to the lost of this broken
world.
My team and I have been working in the city of Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia for the past week and a half and have been enjoying ourselves
immensely. It has been an intensely busy stay so far, ministering throughout
all hours of the day. So far, we have both taught and helped
repaint/repair/renovate a building that is both a church and a school for
Burmese refugees. It’s been incredible working alongside of our contact here,
his heart for the Burmese people astounds me. If you are not familiar with the
plight of the Burmese people, there are things going on within their country
that are beast termed as genocide. Here’s a little insight to the plight of the
Burmese refugees in Malaysia:
–
They have no access to legal employment
–
They tend to work in jobs that the local
population do not wish to take (dirty, dangerous, and difficult). Some
employers exploit their dire situation by paying extremely low or no wages at
all.
–
Their children do not have access to
formal education; however, some children are able to attend community school.
Needless to say, after seeing their community schools, I will never complain
about school again.
I
want to share one student’s story to you, to give you an idea of what some of
these kids have been through…
Gregory, 16 years old.
My ambition was to become an actor
but this was before I became deaf. After I got my hearing problem, I didn’t
have the confidence to fulfill my ambition. I had a happy childhood until I was
13 years old. Back then, I could still hear. I could laugh when people laughed.
When I was 10 years old my life changed when my family was separated. I had to
live in the farm and didn’t have enough to eat. I was abused physically and in many
other ways. But I forgive and pray for those who abuse me. Then one day someone
in authority beat me up and injured my ear. It was so hard, my life was lost. I
haven’t been able to hear since then. I felt my dream was destroyed. I can’t be
happy when others are happy, I can’t hear when other people hear. Every day I
am shamed because people laugh and discriminate against me. I prayed for the
people who made me deaf and left me alone to suffer. Even though my hearing is
still not better, I’m sure their lives may be worse in Myanmar. I’m writing
this so we can learn not to destroy people’s lives. We can love and forgive
each other. Even though I am disabled I will work hard to be smart and
educated. One day I will publish a book about myself called “Gregory’s Diary”.
On the side, my team and I have been ministering in
cell groups and home churches, spent a weekend preaching and doing fellowship
in 6 churches in the villages of Slim River, participated in street feeding and
evangelism, ministering with current and former prostitutes, working in a
restaurant, doing Bible studies and prayer services. It has been a busy, but
incredibly fulfilling ministry work and there’s is still much more to
come.
I am loving it here!
God Bless,
Ben Gagne
