What I learned from a years worth of short term mission trips.
In one way the world race is one 11 month mission trip, but from another perspective its 11 short mission trips all rolled into one. 11 countries, 11 cultures, 11 different groups of people, all with one mission: to lift high the good news of Jesus.
Before coming on the world race I served in the Philippines for the past three summers. I was used to short term missions, and ready for something more permanent. Abba let me know that I would serve him long term internationally, but before I could do that he had something more for me regarding short term missions.
I was confused because I knew that long term missions was my heartbeat. Nothing makes me happier than people feeling the care Jesus has for them through someone learning their language, their culture, and building relationships with them over many seasons of their lives.
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will it to do the will of him who sent me." -John 6:38
Long term looks a lot like Jesus because that's exactly what he did, he came to us. He left the luxuries of his heavenly home for 33 years to enter our sin-tainted world. He loved us that much.
With that being said, where does short term missions fit into Jesus's plan?
From simply looking at his life its obvious that it wasn't an either/or relationship between long and short term missions, it was a both/and. Both are important and apart of how the kingdom of God comes to earth.
"After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God." -Luke 8:1
After almost 11 months of moving around the globe Abba has shown me the importance of short term missions and the privilege I have had throughout these 11 months in partnering with him throughout the world.
It can be summed up all in one word: encouragement.
Short term missions is an opportunity to partner alongside those that were here before us and those that will be here long after were gone. Those that God has given a specific vision to in regards to a certain location and people group.
For many missionaries their work isn't confined to 9-5. They are on call 24/7 whether that be late night emergencies or unexpected early mornings. Many of them spend days upon days with the people they are ministering to, without encouragement or a strong community with a family of believers.
Because of that, so many times their biggest need is for someone to pray for them for a change, for people to love on them, encourage them, and heck, even just listen to them.
Throughout this year I have seen God do some amazing things, and some of the sweetest moments weren't in the miracles and healings of nonbelievers, but in praying for the needs of our hosts.
Sometimes that meant that we babysat their children so they could have a night away, or painting their house so they could focus on house visits, or helping those back in America catch their passion and vision.
Much of that encouragement isn't flashy, nor something that would be written about in a blog and receive thousands of reads, but it meant the world to them. And it encouraged them to keep on doing what God has called them to do.
Because of those moments I have a newfound appreciation for short term missions and I pray that wherever God sends me long term that he sends me bits of encouragement through people on short term trips. People that aren't concerned with the most glamorous pictures or most shocking stories, but those that will be willing to encourage me to keep on keeping on.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" -Philippians 4:19
How sweet it is to know that God uses us! We are the way he meets peoples needs around the world. We are his plan for spreading the gospel and for encouraging believers around the world.
As you read this I pray that God brought someone to your mind who is following the call he put on their life by going to the hard places. If he did, stop now and pray for them. I can guarantee you if they are making an impact on the Kingdom that the enemy is trying to weasel his way in and discourage them. Ask Abba to give you encouragement for them, right now. And if you didn't think of anyone, please contact me. I have contacts all around the world that would love your prayers and encouragement.
