Mission trip: my weekend getaway
Mission trip: my weekend getaway
Was away for a mission trip during the weekend to an island - well, I guess I won't reveal which island this is as mission work should always be handled with great care lest the works long established be jeopardized. It was part of our college assignment for one of our module, and our lecturer connected us with the church that had been faithfully ministering to the islanders there.
I must say I'm somewhat "skeptical" and partly "curious" about what I can possibly learn, or even how much can possibly be done during this 2D1N trip. I've been on mission trips before, but they were at least 5 to 10 days long, and even with such duration, we already felt that the program is packed, and we were limited with what we can do and constrained in many ways - hence the "skepticism" and "curiosity" of this short trip.
I must say the church had done well in reaching out to the islanders. They provide daily groceries for some households, visited and interacted with them, praying for their needs, hold English teaching classes, train potential leaders, organize games and fun time, etc. The trip had programs well planned and lined up - every moment was not futile - when rest is needed, there's rest; when ministry is needed, the time is planned for it.
I'm reminded once again by the simplicity in the lifestyle of the villagers - how they survive with a simple house, few pieces of furniture, making do with what they have. Even during the interaction and conversation with them, there's not even a tint of complain that life is hard - there's only thankfulness to the Lord for His constant blessings and protection, and an eagerness to want to know Him more and to share His love with others. It's an irony we don't even witness such eagerness in our own country and homes! I'll write more in days to come, focusing on one aspects at a time about what I've learnt.
This trip also had a mixture of different persons from different church - some from the host church, some of us from the college, and some from another church (different denomination). We have to constantly remind ourselves to exercise patience and sensitivity toward the others in the team. We felt that we were treading on very thin ground as we do not want to be appear uninvolved on one hand, neither do we want to monopolize any part of the program when asked to lead or manage it. The dilemma was mainly because it was our first, and perhaps the last time (we are on this trip because of course assignment requirement =) on this trip - so while we want to contribute what we can, we are not sure how much our host church requires of our participation. Anyway, all things work out for good =)
Most of us were reminded about exercising sensitivity towards the islanders as well. Although they cook for us during lunch, we were reminded not to fill ourselves so full that we dig clean all the dishes, leaving nothing for the islanders. In fact, when these islanders cook for us, they gave their very best, and even throw in dishes which to them were luxury to even sample them, hence we were reminded to be a blessing by making sure we allow them to eat first (even though they are the host and we are the guest) and to leave enough food for them even after we had our fill.
Short trip, but many lessons learnt - and God truly opened our eyes, ears and hearts to many valueable and treasured experiences.
Was away for a mission trip during the weekend to an island - well, I guess I won't reveal which island this is as mission work should always be handled with great care lest the works long established be jeopardized. It was part of our college assignment for one of our module, and our lecturer connected us with the church that had been faithfully ministering to the islanders there.
I must say I'm somewhat "skeptical" and partly "curious" about what I can possibly learn, or even how much can possibly be done during this 2D1N trip. I've been on mission trips before, but they were at least 5 to 10 days long, and even with such duration, we already felt that the program is packed, and we were limited with what we can do and constrained in many ways - hence the "skepticism" and "curiosity" of this short trip.
I must say the church had done well in reaching out to the islanders. They provide daily groceries for some households, visited and interacted with them, praying for their needs, hold English teaching classes, train potential leaders, organize games and fun time, etc. The trip had programs well planned and lined up - every moment was not futile - when rest is needed, there's rest; when ministry is needed, the time is planned for it.
I'm reminded once again by the simplicity in the lifestyle of the villagers - how they survive with a simple house, few pieces of furniture, making do with what they have. Even during the interaction and conversation with them, there's not even a tint of complain that life is hard - there's only thankfulness to the Lord for His constant blessings and protection, and an eagerness to want to know Him more and to share His love with others. It's an irony we don't even witness such eagerness in our own country and homes! I'll write more in days to come, focusing on one aspects at a time about what I've learnt.
This trip also had a mixture of different persons from different church - some from the host church, some of us from the college, and some from another church (different denomination). We have to constantly remind ourselves to exercise patience and sensitivity toward the others in the team. We felt that we were treading on very thin ground as we do not want to be appear uninvolved on one hand, neither do we want to monopolize any part of the program when asked to lead or manage it. The dilemma was mainly because it was our first, and perhaps the last time (we are on this trip because of course assignment requirement =) on this trip - so while we want to contribute what we can, we are not sure how much our host church requires of our participation. Anyway, all things work out for good =)
Most of us were reminded about exercising sensitivity towards the islanders as well. Although they cook for us during lunch, we were reminded not to fill ourselves so full that we dig clean all the dishes, leaving nothing for the islanders. In fact, when these islanders cook for us, they gave their very best, and even throw in dishes which to them were luxury to even sample them, hence we were reminded to be a blessing by making sure we allow them to eat first (even though they are the host and we are the guest) and to leave enough food for them even after we had our fill.
Short trip, but many lessons learnt - and God truly opened our eyes, ears and hearts to many valueable and treasured experiences.
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