Missions Is Hard
Missions is hard
I still remember loading the van to head to the airport for my first international mission trip to Ukraine over 24 years ago. The anticipation and excitement mixed with apprehension and fear of the unknown were palpable among the entire team of 20 moms and dads, pastors and youth. Reading from my journal I remember the prayer that began with that trip and echoes still in my heart every time I step into something scary-exciting and new: “Lord, I surrender my expectations for today to you. You hold the agenda. I pray you use me, as you have crafted me uniquely, for your purpose and your glory.”
From the time we arrived at the curb at LAX until we arrived home again ten days later, every moment was filled with awe and wonder, overwhelm and emotion. Our trip was in partnership with a ministry that visited poor children across the globe, opening doors to share the gospel through tangible gifts. As we presented each child in the hospital or orphanage or poor village church with a gift packed, chosen and prayed over just for them, we were demonstrating the truth that the gospel is presented to each of us as a gift to receive from our loving Father. No one on our team spoke Ukrainian. Each encounter was brief, but there is no doubt those we met felt seen and loved.
My favorite moment was just after a gift distribution when I saw an elderly woman sitting quietly alone, her skin worn by years of adversity. A moment passed between us as she greeted me with a smile which lit up her shining blue eyes, transforming her countenance. She reached out to touch my cheek tenderly as if to say, “thank you” and handed me a small … coin? pendant? A religious pocket token? I’m not sure exactly what its significance was to her, but it felt exceedingly generous to me at the time. I smiled back at her, holding onto that moment until we were ushered back onto our bus and moved on to the next ministry post.
I won’t try to sugar-coat it. Missions are hard. International travel is exhausting. Communication is challenging. Sleep is disrupted. The food is often fair at best. The facilities require flexibility (mental and physical, at times). The schedule is demanding and the senses are overloaded from morning to night. It seems a little odd that one would enthusiastically sign up for this. Yet there is no other experience that has come close for me in terms of transformational impact, than to labor across the planet to show the love of Jesus to the poor and the lost. As I have continued to pray that prayer of surrender, asking the Lord to use me for His purpose and His glory in 7 countries and 4 continents, I have seen my life and that of so many others changed.
From the time we arrived at the curb at LAX until we arrived home again ten days later, every moment was filled with awe and wonder, overwhelm and emotion. Our trip was in partnership with a ministry that visited poor children across the globe, opening doors to share the gospel through tangible gifts. As we presented each child in the hospital or orphanage or poor village church with a gift packed, chosen and prayed over just for them, we were demonstrating the truth that the gospel is presented to each of us as a gift to receive from our loving Father. No one on our team spoke Ukrainian. Each encounter was brief, but there is no doubt those we met felt seen and loved.
My favorite moment was just after a gift distribution when I saw an elderly woman sitting quietly alone, her skin worn by years of adversity. A moment passed between us as she greeted me with a smile which lit up her shining blue eyes, transforming her countenance. She reached out to touch my cheek tenderly as if to say, “thank you” and handed me a small … coin? pendant? A religious pocket token? I’m not sure exactly what its significance was to her, but it felt exceedingly generous to me at the time. I smiled back at her, holding onto that moment until we were ushered back onto our bus and moved on to the next ministry post.
I won’t try to sugar-coat it. Missions are hard. International travel is exhausting. Communication is challenging. Sleep is disrupted. The food is often fair at best. The facilities require flexibility (mental and physical, at times). The schedule is demanding and the senses are overloaded from morning to night. It seems a little odd that one would enthusiastically sign up for this. Yet there is no other experience that has come close for me in terms of transformational impact, than to labor across the planet to show the love of Jesus to the poor and the lost. As I have continued to pray that prayer of surrender, asking the Lord to use me for His purpose and His glory in 7 countries and 4 continents, I have seen my life and that of so many others changed.
2025 Trips
In 2025, Open Life has two opportunities to serve globally. The first opportunity is coming fast in January to Bangladesh to serve Speak Up for the Poor. Registration for this trip will close at the end of August. The second opportunity is to serve missionaries Jamie and Berly Bello in Dominican Republic in late July.
CLICK HERE FOR TRIP DETAILS
CLICK HERE FOR TRIP DETAILS
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