After a long 2.5 days of travel, I finally made it to Sielmat, India. In most months, when our squad of 55 gets into a country, we split off into our smaller teams of 7. This month has been different and unexpected. We are here together as our whole squad. This happens on the race for one of the months, but not usually until later on, especially not the first month. But it just so happened to work out this way.
Being all together has been one of the best things for me. One of the things I was most excited about for the past 2-3 months has been to get to know my squad mates more. I thought I would only see them on travel days, but this was an unexpected surprise. I am very extroverted and love to spend time getting to know people and doing stuff with them. I am going to be spending most my time with the same group of 7 most the year. And I love them and will get to know them really well this year, but I want to know everyone else as well. So this month has been a huge blessing to me.
Since we have so many people here, the organization we are working with has planned a lot in the past few months with stuff for us to do. We have done a variety of different things so far. We have done construction work at a hospital, cut paths in the forest with machetes, helped in the kitchen preparing food for all of us, helped at a children’s crusade where over 2200 kids showed up, and packaged blankets and books to deliver to various villages. We are also planning for VBS’s, teaching in a seminary, preaching in churches and a variety of other ministry opportunities. There is so much to do.
As I was reflecting on this the other day, I thought back on how much work I have done. I realized that by myself, I didn’t get all that much done. But then I thought about how much my team of 7 got done and realized we did a decent amount. Then I thought about how much work my whole squad got done, and saw that we are making a significant difference in the lives of many for what we are doing here.
Everyone knows that many hands make light work and more gets done because of it. I have been able to witness this with my eyes. My squad is working together as the body of Christ and helping these people out in many physical ways, and I am just a small part of it.
Although I can see the many ways we are helping them physically, I don’t know exactly what we have been getting done in spiritual ways. Sometimes we are able to see the fruit of that, and sometimes it remains a mystery. But one thing I do know, is that if God lives in each and every one of my squad mates, (which I know He does) then we are making a difference in the spiritual realm as well.
I am challenged by this on every missions trip I’ve been on. Sometimes we as North Americans come in with our money, help people’s physical needs, and then walk out like conquering heroes without actually ever telling people the gospel. At least, that was my experience on my first few missions trips. I’ve heard the saying my whole life, “Actions speak louder then words”. But I’ve come to realize that this is only true when both are in play. If all you have is actions, and no words, then how is the actions louder? There would be nothing to compare them too. But when what we speak is backed up by our actions, I do believe the actions will speak louder. If Jesus spoke the words He did and did not back them up with His actions, He would be a hypocrite. But if Jesus never spoke, but had lots of good deeds towards others, we would have nothing really firm to base our theology on. Both are so important.
On this journey to 11 different countries through 11 months, I hope to share the love and life I have received from God. I desire to do this with word and deed. I desire to be so filled with God that my cup overflows onto everyone I meet. I may never know what God does through me, and I am perfectly okay with that. I desire for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. May it be so.
Some things I would like prayer for are…
-To be always aware that Holy Spirit is with me at all times
-To be bold in stepping out when Holy Spirit gives me missions
-What ever else you are led to pray for
Internet here is not the best and we have to take turns sharing it between 55 of us. I would like to post some sweet pics I have been taking here in India, but I may have to wait until the end of the month.
Your bro in Christ,
Jordan Tarant
