One of the things I love about a short-term mission trip is the necessity to put aside preference and comfort for the sake of others. But I guess, if I was honest, it’s one of those things I love to hate.
Despite the discomfort of international travel, tiredness from poor sleep patterns, and the physical demands of ministering in different locations each day, I do love the blessing of being on mission.
If it weren’t for the people, I probably wouldn’t go. After many years and many more trips (a few treble visit years) I have invested so much of myself in the people that I consider them family—and they me. I roll into town, and they do whatever they can to help me, serve me, and demonstrate love in practical ways. For instance, they hand cut and deep-fry hot chips every visit because I once told them we loved hot chips!
The long-term relationship I enjoy allows me the privilege of seeing many answered prayers. For example, on our recent visit I was able to meet John, the new husband to Siska. Siska is like a daughter to me, and we have prayed with her for 7 years that the Lord would bring a Godly man for her husband. And now the Lord has done just that, we have shifted our prayers to their desire for a child!
Another example, Dato and Lia, are already married (yes, I did pray with them!) with a couple of children (again, yes!) we joyfully support them in a powerful and personal way in their church planting. As we prayed recently, the Lord spoke a message of encouragement through one of our NZ team. I recognised the connection to the beginning of Psalm 37 and declared this over them via the translator. Lia burst into tears, flung herself upon me in tears, and sobbed in the safety of a father’s embrace. As she settled, we learned this was a direct confirmation of what the Lord had said to them as they had cried out in prayer some weeks earlier!
Jesus once said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:19–20; Luke 9:57–58).
This is not a call to poverty, rather a call to self-sacrifice. Jesus wants us to understand that to follow Him is not to find earthly glory; it is to share in earthly suffering. Every believer is called to give up any idol that stands in the way of following Christ wholeheartedly.
I’m certain we each know what might stand in the way (the idol obstacle), but I’m more confident in the blessing (of the people) I can experience on the other side of my submission to His mission.
Phil Strong