Traveling the world changes a lot of things you thought you already knew about yourself and about the world around you. It changes the way you think, the way you view those around you, and the way you view God. I have been able to travel to 5 countries so far and see the work of God throughout those five countries.
In Mexico, the Lord showed me how much he cares for his children. Not one is untouched by our Savior’s love. It does not matter where or how we live, or how many things we do or do not have, God is always present looking out for those he loves. He does not change. He is the God of all peoples.
In Guatemala, I learned the importance of the work of the missionary. We were able to build relationships with people who had moved to Guatemala to be the hands of Jesus to the people there. These were ordinary people who had responded to God when he called them to “Go.” I learned that ordinary people do extraordinary things because they serve an extraordinary God.
In Vietnam, I learned the importance of being ready for battle. The darkness was unbearable and stifling. It settled around us like a dark, thick smog. I learned to always be in prayer to ward off the schemes of the enemy. The enemy is always lurking to steal, kill, and destroy. We must keep our spiritual armor on and be ready at all times. It is wonderful to be worthy of the attacks of the enemy, because the enemy only attacks when he has a worthy opponent.
In Cambodia, I learned to be an extravagant worshipper. God has given us such a wonderful gift in worship. He allows us to know him and to sing songs of praise to him. We do not have to look down to worship our God, we look up to the heavens. We rejoice, even in the midst of hardship, because our God has already claimed the victory. And, this allows us to raise the battle cry to heaven through worship. How can I keep from singing?
In Thailand, I am learning the importance of dying to myself. My life is not about me. It’s about what God wants to do through me. What he wants to do through me is to kill my own self, so that he can be resurrected in me. He wants to live in me so that I can be a life-giver and life-bringer to those around me.
Oswald Chambers, a favorite of mine, says:
“In missionary enterprise the great danger is that God’s call is effaced by the needs of the people until human sympathy absolutely overwhelms the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, the conditions so perplexing, that every power of mind falters and fails. We forget that the one reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of people, nor the education of people, nor their needs; but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ – ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.’
When looking back on the lives of men and women of God the tendency is to say – What wonderfully astute wisdom they had! How perfectly they understood all God wanted! The astute mind behind all is the Mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Devine guidance of God through child-like people who were foolish enough to trust God’s wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God.”
