Pastor John and his church have been praying for a team of missionaries to come stay with their church for a long time now. They have been praying for literally any one to come work with their church. Last Sunday their prayer was answered.
My team arrived at Pastor John’s church on Sunday afternoon. We had no information about this host or what we would be doing all month. This is a first time host, meaning that no team has ever served here before. We were jumping into the deep end, not having any idea what the next month would hold for us. I was nervous because I like to have the details figured out- or at least have some idea of what is going on, like the name of the town we are going to. But the more I though about it, the more I realized that Pastor John had no idea what to expect either. He had no idea who was coming to stay with him. He had no idea if we could teach english, lead worship, do construction work, preach, or even do anything at all. He didn’t know how many people were coming or if we spoke Thai or German or English or Gibberish. He didn’t know anything about us. But it didn’t matter, he was thrilled.
I have never felt more welcome than I have at Pastor John’s church. He and the staff are genuinely so excited to have us here. Even though he had no idea what would be coming to him, he is genuinely so thankful that a group of foreigners is physically here just to work with his church. When he prayed for a team to come, he didn’t set any requirements for what kind of team he wanted. He didn’t ask for a team of teachers. He didn’t ask for a team of builders. He didn’t even ask for a group of people that could speak Thai. He just asked for anyone, and here’s what he got- a group of 6 weirdos who have no idea what’s going on most of the time. We don’t speak Thai. We don’t have any shiny titles that make us good missionaries. We don’t even have any outstanding achievements that make us perfect humans either.
But isn’t that the way Jesus calls His people? He doesn’t ask us to meet his requirements to be welcomed by Him. He doesn’t set a list of qualifications we must meet in order to be used by Him. He doesn’t say we have to speak a certain way or do certain things in order to have a place in His family. He just asks us to come, to walk into the unexpected just as we are. And Jesus is genuinely excited just to have us in His presence. All he wants is to spend time with us, to work along side us, and to show how awesome life is.
That’s exactly what Pastor John is doing for my team. He’s showing us what it looks like to welcome the stranger, make them like family and give them a seat at the table. He’s showing us that qualifications don’t matter. He’s showing us how fun life is. He’s showing us that we are so important to the work the Lord is doing, even when we don’t have qualifications or expectations.
And through all of that, the Lord continues to show his faithfulness. I can’t explain how humbling it is to be an answer to someone else’s prayer. I don’t know why God chose me and my team to be the first ever foreign missionaries to work with Pastor John’s church. I sure don’t feel qualified to take on this responsibility. But that doesn’t matter because God doesn’t make mistakes. He has big plans for my team this month, regardless of how qualified we feel. Bring it on Thailand. We’re ready for you.
