Just before Susan left on a missions trip to India in 2013, God spoke to me about going. I have documented those thoughts earlier in "Be Prepared to Go". Now, about a year later - I have been thinking about it again.
Thus far, I have not had any second thoughts. No fears in my heart nor any stresses financially. (OK, the Tetanus shot has me a little worried). It is funny because these are the kind of decisions that wind me up. Buying and selling a house, preparing for marriage, and job searches have made me more nervous than this. Kind of an unusual position for me to be in. Part of it, is that we are still more than 4 months off. As we get closer, I pray that it wont stress me out more.
We have a team of fifteen going. Some newbies, like me, and others who are seasoned pros. We have several going who have outgoing personalities. Me, I am more the quiet blending into the background type. I was told that I might be the quietest person going on this trip. We shall see...
Seriously, I have been contemplating what my rationale for going is. The quick and easy answer is to say that God called me to go. That is definitely true - we go when called and place our trust in Him. Even when we don't see the end result or what is going to occur. That makes it both scary and exciting at the same time.
So, why am I going? What are my expectations for this trip? What do I hope to see and experience? These are all interesting questions and ones I have asked myself. There are more reasons for me not to go to be honest.
First, its overseas - which is completely out of my comfort zone. The heat, humidity, smell, animals, and sheer number of people are other reasons for me to not go. I have seen how travel goes there (very slowly) and the traffic. My initial reaction is that there are better ways for me to spend my time. Yet, God called me.
Why am I going? Besides, God calling me. I guess the main reason is to experience Christianity outside of America. I really think there is a huge difference between "American" Christianity and what Christianity is. It seems we have a version that dovetails to our way of life. Some of us match up our religion to what we want it to be. Not all, most definitely, but there is that temptation. This could be that America has been blessed that maybe we are scared to really explore our bibles and faith and find out something disconcerting. I think we are very good at cherry picking parts of the bible to accommodate us. Maybe we can be too comfortable with no fears for following our faith. Maybe, it's the same everywhere else. But I'd like to meet people in India and see what their faith looks like. I suspect it will enlighten and bless me more than I think.
Another reason is to experience a different culture. The people we are meeting are Christians too and that bonds us together. Yet, it will be cool to see what makes us different and remind me again that God uses all types of people in His kingdom. It will be cool to experience the times of worship, of prayer, of teaching. We can learn a lot from each other which can only strengthen me.
What are my expectations in going? This is a difficult question for me to answer. On the surface, I say that I am going with my eyes wide open and trust that God will show me what he wants me to learn. That's totally true and my expectations will be overshadowed by God's plans. So, my initial expectation is that God is going to really wow me with something. What that might be - I haven't a clue. I just know that I will returned a changed person. Maybe there will be miracles, healings, and/or conversions - all will be interesting to experience. Will I be up front speaking, giving a testimony, or leading a bible study? One of the things God has spoken to me is to be ready to do what is asked of me. The other expectation will be to get closer to God. I think this trip wont give me the opportunity to not be constantly seeking God. Definitely, I am going to need him to get me through this trip. As I said, this isn't my comfort zone.
What do I hope to see and experience? I think the simple answer is God. Through the people I will be meeting and speaking with. I am of the opinion that they will bless me far more than I will bless them. Another thing out of my comfort zone is getting out front and praying for people. These aren't things I am comfortable with, so I am definitely going to grow in these areas.
Sometimes, we get so insulated in our worlds, we forget the bigger world out there. And, God loves them. Just as we should. Not just to India, but our own neighborhoods. That's our calling as His disciples. To go out into the world, making disciples of all nations. It is our honor and blessing to go. The world awaits.
Thus far, I have not had any second thoughts. No fears in my heart nor any stresses financially. (OK, the Tetanus shot has me a little worried). It is funny because these are the kind of decisions that wind me up. Buying and selling a house, preparing for marriage, and job searches have made me more nervous than this. Kind of an unusual position for me to be in. Part of it, is that we are still more than 4 months off. As we get closer, I pray that it wont stress me out more.
We have a team of fifteen going. Some newbies, like me, and others who are seasoned pros. We have several going who have outgoing personalities. Me, I am more the quiet blending into the background type. I was told that I might be the quietest person going on this trip. We shall see...
Seriously, I have been contemplating what my rationale for going is. The quick and easy answer is to say that God called me to go. That is definitely true - we go when called and place our trust in Him. Even when we don't see the end result or what is going to occur. That makes it both scary and exciting at the same time.
So, why am I going? What are my expectations for this trip? What do I hope to see and experience? These are all interesting questions and ones I have asked myself. There are more reasons for me not to go to be honest.
First, its overseas - which is completely out of my comfort zone. The heat, humidity, smell, animals, and sheer number of people are other reasons for me to not go. I have seen how travel goes there (very slowly) and the traffic. My initial reaction is that there are better ways for me to spend my time. Yet, God called me.
Why am I going? Besides, God calling me. I guess the main reason is to experience Christianity outside of America. I really think there is a huge difference between "American" Christianity and what Christianity is. It seems we have a version that dovetails to our way of life. Some of us match up our religion to what we want it to be. Not all, most definitely, but there is that temptation. This could be that America has been blessed that maybe we are scared to really explore our bibles and faith and find out something disconcerting. I think we are very good at cherry picking parts of the bible to accommodate us. Maybe we can be too comfortable with no fears for following our faith. Maybe, it's the same everywhere else. But I'd like to meet people in India and see what their faith looks like. I suspect it will enlighten and bless me more than I think.
Another reason is to experience a different culture. The people we are meeting are Christians too and that bonds us together. Yet, it will be cool to see what makes us different and remind me again that God uses all types of people in His kingdom. It will be cool to experience the times of worship, of prayer, of teaching. We can learn a lot from each other which can only strengthen me.
What are my expectations in going? This is a difficult question for me to answer. On the surface, I say that I am going with my eyes wide open and trust that God will show me what he wants me to learn. That's totally true and my expectations will be overshadowed by God's plans. So, my initial expectation is that God is going to really wow me with something. What that might be - I haven't a clue. I just know that I will returned a changed person. Maybe there will be miracles, healings, and/or conversions - all will be interesting to experience. Will I be up front speaking, giving a testimony, or leading a bible study? One of the things God has spoken to me is to be ready to do what is asked of me. The other expectation will be to get closer to God. I think this trip wont give me the opportunity to not be constantly seeking God. Definitely, I am going to need him to get me through this trip. As I said, this isn't my comfort zone.
What do I hope to see and experience? I think the simple answer is God. Through the people I will be meeting and speaking with. I am of the opinion that they will bless me far more than I will bless them. Another thing out of my comfort zone is getting out front and praying for people. These aren't things I am comfortable with, so I am definitely going to grow in these areas.
Sometimes, we get so insulated in our worlds, we forget the bigger world out there. And, God loves them. Just as we should. Not just to India, but our own neighborhoods. That's our calling as His disciples. To go out into the world, making disciples of all nations. It is our honor and blessing to go. The world awaits.
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