Month 7 – Bulgaria
There is an argument we hear frequently in the Christian community, long-term missions vs. short-term missions. Which is better? Which is more fruitful? Which one is more pleasing to God? Surely there must be a definite answer…maybe I should check my Bible…
My belief is that there are benefits and pitfalls to both. Some people are cut out for one, and some people are cut out for the other. As long as your heart is to serve the Lord and His people, I think you’re at least starting on the right track.
Yet as World Racers we seem to have subjected ourselves as prime targets to the short-term criticizers, because essentially the World Race is 11 back-to-back, short-term mission trips.
Yes, I would agree with that. Of course there’s the added element of personal growth that comes with such an extended adventure, but the truth of it is we are only in each country for about 3-4 weeks.
So how much can really be done in a few weeks? How much can be changed? How many people can we really help? Let me share just a few of my personal experiences:
In Thailand I blogged about befriending a few young women that worked in the red light district. Turns out these girls knew Jesus and were in desperate need of encouragement in their faith. Our team spent the month loving on these women and helping to renew their trust in the Lord. We all cried when we parted ways and continued to pray for our friends as we traveled from country to country. Since then I’ve learned that a few of the girls have left their jobs at the bars. In fact, they’ve been able to connect with other World Race squads in the months since we’ve left and have been poured into with the love of Christ month after month by people just like me.
In Cambodia my team connected with several new ministries during our Unsung Heroes month. We recently learned from pictures posted online from another squad that there are teams partnering with the ministries we found! That means the children that needed kindergarten teachers are now partnered with an organization that can provide them.
In Malaysia we went Christmas caroling to several homes in the Muslim dominated community. For one home in particular it was the first time Christians had ever been allowed inside. It was also the first time many of the family members ever heard the good news of the Gospel.
And here in Bulgaria we spend one day a week cleaning a nursing home, yet when we visit, the residents just want to enjoy our company. Many of them are in tears as we sit with them, sometimes just in silence, but we hold their hands and look into their eyes to let them know they are still loved. Most of them don’t get many visitors.
We also spend time in the Roma community. This is a group of people that are literally shut out of society by crumbling concrete walls. Dozens of children cling to our arms and legs as we walk down the muddy roads. Dirty hands, snotty noses and heads crawling with lice don’t stop us from holding and praying over every child we can. It’s heartbreaking to see how desperate for love they are, but I believe in the power of prayer. In fact the power of prayer has built a thriving church in the Roma community, and more and more people are being saved everyday.
These are only a handful of stories out of dozens that we experience every month. They may just be small acts of love, but I believe they make a difference in the lives of many.
It’s funny to me that as Christians, we can still somehow doubt that much good can be done in a short amount of time. Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected in just a few days time, and that changed everything for all of eternity.
I’m not Jesus, and therefore it’s not in my power to change the world. But it is my mission to direct people towards Him. To be a reflection of His love and goodness to everyone I meet.
So maybe it’s true, I myself cannot accomplish much in just one month. But when we allow Him to work through us, all things are possible.
