Life on a mission team is filled with ups and downs. Two years ago my wife and I came, with seven other Christians from the U.S., to start a campus ministry in a country where our churches exist “underground” because of government repression. Those first few months were especially filled with excitement, nervousness, fear, adventure and delight.
One thing I don’t recall feeling: boredom! Every day brought something new.
Thanks to the One Year Challenge spirit that is sweeping our campus and singles ministries, we’ve been blessed with the arrival last year, and again this Fall, of several new disciples coming to help. These new disciples provide fresh enthusiasm for the mission. Critically, they fill the gaps left by team members who came for a year or more, then returned to their home churches. In this way we’re able to keep advancing the kingdom and training the new Christians as well.
One of my greatest joys is watching new arrivals. They come full of faith but also fear. “Will I really be able to make it here, in another country, where everything is so new and different?” Their humble, trainable spirit always inspires me. They want more than anything to be effective in sharing the gospel in a foreign culture.
But first things first. Learn the money. Buy a subway pass. Learn how to crowd onto the train. Get a bicycle (and for some, practice riding again). Learn where you can order food, and how. Get a cellphone. Learn how to strike up a conversation with someone who speaks English, but not natively, who may be nervous at first. Pray like never before, especially on those days when you wonder, “Did I make a big mistake by coming here?”
And then…sooner or later, they have a day that reassures them the sacrifice is worth it. God is at work, and I love hearing from them on those days especially. Not only is their effectiveness growing, but their faith is growing, too.
Here’s a message I got from a brother who had such a day recently (some names omitted or changed for security):
Yesterday was the best day I’ve had on the campus yet. I taught class in the morning near the ____ metro station, had lunch with [new friends] Daniel and Barry at ___ University, ate ice cream at a restaurant near campus with [new team members] Sandy, Helen and Janelle, rode bikes with Helen and then we went on a prayer walk on a wooded island on the campus of _____ University.
I ate dinner with [new local Christian] David, Helen, William, Chuck and three other new friends at ____ University, roller skated with my friends William and Steven, hung out a bit with [new team couple] Derrick and Patricia then stayed the night with Ronald. Man…I was beat and blistered last night, but it was awesome!
Not long after, one of his new friends decided to start studying the Bible.
To be a friend to sinners, and having daily fellowship with brothers and sisters who are about the same task—this truly is our mission!
“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field” was Jesus’ instruction to his disciples. But be careful when you pray this…you may find God is wanting to send you!
For more information about serving in our underground church planting, contact oneyearchallenge-mission@yahoo.com
Editor’s Note: Please send articles about other One Year Challenge opportunities to content@DToday.net
