Let me start off by saying that going on missions trips is the second best thing that I love doing, just after my personal time with God. I've been privileged to be on numerous missions trip that I've lost count... but I will never forget the very first mission trip I went onto. We arrived at camp, set up (three people in a tent); it was nice and cosy and we slept the night away. I dreamt that someone came and gave everyone mattresses - what a luxury - and to my surprise, as I woke up, there was nothing but the familiar sleeping mat. Going to the Transkei, for the very first time in my life, was exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time; I did not even bother to tell my parents the exact location, in fear of the fact that they would disapprove of our location choice... as old as I am!
Our first day of ministry was a surprise to me; my team and I were in charge of making lunch for 27 youth individuals - and the going rate two sandwiches per person... do the math! For the first time ever, I felt needed; believe it or not, at home I did not get exposed to such. After walking for almost an hour, the people in the very first house we came into welcomed us with love (I'll thank the ethnic diversity of our group for that). As the leader of the group, I was expected to be the first person to say something to the people in the house and I honestly had no idea where to begin. But I knew that we went there with a mission to share the Gospel and so I did. We ministered to them; prayed with them as they received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour; and successfully accomplished our primary task at the houses.
The mission field was a place where, to my surprise, I was fed most spiritually and physically. For the first time in my life; the Lord spoke to me and the Word He gave me was confirmed with Scripture. As the words "freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8) resounded it my spirit, I remembered that we cannot afford to hold anything back. Some of the people to whom we ministered were poverty-stricken; even the things we consider as basics (food, beds etc.) were a luxury to them. I will never forget one lady that we ministered to, who had struggled of being bound in unforgiveness for many years I remember sitting by the fire this one night, as everybody was sharing about what took place out on field as we always do every night. As my turn came up (to speak) God laid on my heart to something regarding Character, As Maya Angelo say 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
When we do mission, we experience a lot of behavioural Characters' [the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual] - Now you have +/- 25 odd people spending +/- 20days or more together and sometimes sleeping three in a tent because 'Sharing is Caring', something is bound to happen. I prayed to God to give me wisdom to handle people and people to handle me in patience and a gentle loving manner, as I did not want to be reason for someone not enjoying their mission's trip! God honours His word as not everybody can handle the 'Bush Anointing' including myself.
When God places a desire in your heat for something Like this, it really does not matter what someone does to you, we continue to soldier on because it not about us BUT Him! - Something was stirred up on the inside of me five years ago, the day a Missionary Couple came to my church to speak about missions. People need to hear about God it cannot just end on a Sunday service as there are so many unreached areas and this requires us. I have the most awesome Missions Pastors in the world. I salute them for what they are doing. It is such a great honour to serve under them and to think they have been trained by the very same Missionary couple that shared in my church five years ago! God is awesome!
I have always seen'Preacher People' in my church praying and God showing up and miracles taking place left, right and centre. But, never have I ever thought that God would also use me to pray for someone and see healing take place. Seeing someone receive a miracle right in front of your eyes is the most liberation thing in the WORLD! You see, you meet people and they don't want to talk or hear what you have to say and that can be devastating but when my JESUS shows up - it's an open door to minister to the rest of community because I can assure you that when a person gets healed from whatever - that person is going to tell somebody Jesus is real preparing the hearts of those that are not believers and so it goes on and on. My eyes got opened and I realize the Bible does say ( John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father). It's not only for 'Preacher People' as it is written 'But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you' and all Glory to Christ Jesus.
I don't know a lot of things about Life, I learn new things everyday... however I do know this: THE GOSPEL IS SIMPLE... Love God = Love People... This story will never be finished; every day we wake is an opportunity to lead someone to Christ. May we continue to let the light of Christ shine every time, grateful to have an opportunity to do this with awesome people... Sure I am with you always to the very end of age.
