I've officially been home for a month, SO NOW WHAT?!? I have been asked this question by different people and have had to really sit with this question.
The stress of re-entry was very real for me. I had a hard time accepting that no one would fully understand my experience, even if they had been on a mission trip to the same place with the same ministry. I wanted so much for people to share those emotions with me. I now realize that I was wanting people to live like they had been to Ghana with me. The Ghanaian culture is much different than the American culture I grew up in and had become comfortable with. After returning home and still now, I have a hard time justifying spending money on "things", whether it be clothes or groceries or whatever. I find myself asking the question of "do I really NEED that?" and the answer is most often "no, I do not". The first few weeks home, I struggled to see that the God that I experienced in Ghana is the same God that I experience here.
My time in the Ghana mission field might be over, but it is not a closed chapter,
rather it was one more step on my journey. God had a reason for
sending me out. Mission work doesn't have to stop just because I returned from Ghana. It was not just a trip. This part of my journey may take years to fully grasp what I've learned and that is okay.
SO NOW WHAT?!? There are a few easy responses (lol). The first is that I am back at work. (Well, I was actually back to work within 14 hours of landing in Louisville.) Another is that I finally feel rested and recovered.
But when I sit with this question of NOW WHAT?!?, I ask myself a lot more questions:
-What can I do to implement what I've learned?
-Am I going to let this be just another mountain-top experience?
-Am I going to sink back into how I lived before I went and live like it never happened?
-Why is it easier to share about Jesus in Ghana than it is in America?
NOW WHAT?!? I am seeking God and listening carefully to Him. I am continuing to stretch myself out of my comfort-zone, beyond the level of faith I have now. I have been turning off my phone. I have started to say no more often (even if it is something good) because I know I need to not schedule every minute of every day like I used to do. Other than that, I am continuing to pray for discernment in what my next steps are in my job, in missions, and in life.
I used to think that I had to look hard to stay involved while I was home from the mission field but I have come to realize that where I am right now is my current mission field. God has me in Louisville for a reason. He has me at my current job for a reason. Those reasons may not be known to me now or ever. But He is using me right where I am.
I think the verse that wraps all of this up nicely is Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Monday, September 28, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
God in the details
God sure did like to show off in the details of every aspect of this trip.
When I was looking at flights 4 weeks before we were to leave, I was quickly met with a road block. The flight pattern of the other 3 team members from Louisville was about $1,100 more than the cheapest connections. In an effort to be resourceful, I quoted it with many different travel agencies. Each showed a similarly large price tag. I opted to make a different connection to JFK where I would meet the team to fly into Ghana. I had mixed feelings about this but knew that it was something I needed to do.
The morning of our departure (Monday August 17th) was surreal. It hadn't set in that I, Allison, was going to AFRICA!! I stood outside of the security line visiting with family and friends as long as I could. My departure time was getting closer and family left for work. With one close friend praying with me, I received a text message from the airline that my flight was delayed by 3 hours, meaning I would miss my connection to JFK. We walked back to the check-in counter. As to be expected, many businessmen who were supposed to be on that flight were disgruntled and rude. I patiently waited my turn, knowing that this was just the beginning of a great adventure God had set out for me. I walked up to the counter and talked with the representative. Within 15 minutes from when I received the text, my tickets were rebooked. Not only was I going to make it to JFK to meet the team, I was on their exact connections to JFK. Yes those same connecting flights that I didn't book in the beginning. There were 2 seats left on each of the connections that God had my name on.
As if that weren't enough, the businessman that sat next to me was a Christian. The entire flight to Detroit, we sat sharing about life and talking about Jesus. Okay God, yep I realize now that You had every intention from the beginning for me to be on that plane. He started out by asking where I was traveling. I shared that I was bound for Ghana for a missions trip. He asked how old I was and I told him. He then said that he had a daughter the same age as me who has drifted away from God and how much it hurt him. He knew that all he could do was pray. So we prayed together for his prodigal daughter. He began to encourage me in doing the work of the Lord.
Two days later (8/19), which was our first day of ministry, I was not surprised at all when I opened my bible to the parable of the lost sheep to share with the kids. I immediately through of that business man and his daughter.
8/21- After getting rained out of village ministry for the morning, we were welcomed by 95 children in their village that afternoon. Yes 95 children with just me and a young translator. But guess what, there was no problems at all! Of course there wasn't. God wanted me to focus on the words He had me teaching and not worrying about this kid doing this and that kid doing that. They all sat in the circle listening intently on what I was saying.
8/22- We ministered in a village that only had 2 Christians (the pastor and the worship leader). After we had shared with the children, women, and men, the pastor held a midday service. Almost all of the people we talked to came for healing, but still heard about Jesus.
8/23- Despite sore throats and stomach issues among the whole team of 4, we were strengthened to help with worship services.
8/26- While waiting around at the ministry compound to leave for the airport, I grabbed a book out of my bag and started reading. Mind you, Allison does not read novels, books, etc. Within a matter of about 6 hours, I had the entire book finished. What book you may ask- God is Able by Priscilla Shirer. This is the same book that I had in my carry on for my flights to Africa but never opened. Of course, God wanted me to wait until I was wrapping up my trip to read this. The entire book was on Ephesians 3:20-21:
As I sat in the second airport awaiting my flight out of Africa, I opened another book, Aha by Kyle Idleman. By this point, I had someone sitting next to me. Judging the book she was reading by the cover, I wasn't sure where she was with Jesus. The book seemed to be of mystical sorts. I closed my book for a moment and she looked at me apologizing for bothering me and asked what my book was about. I got a little nervous, worrying about what her response would be when I started talking about Jesus. I told her and she got cold chills. She proceeded to tell me that she had seen 2 other people reading the book on her way into Africa so now I was the 3rd and maybe God was trying to tell her something. I told her a little more about the book (and Kyle's other books too). We continued to talk about what we were doing in Africa. I came to find out that her husband is a pastor and she was leaving him there for a year to start a church. It was her first time flying by herself but she was excited to get home to her sweet kiddos. We sat and talked for about an hour while waiting for our flight.
Even after coming home, God continued with the details in relation to the trip. I guess I thought I would be invincible and work the full 10 hour day the day after I got back. Well my boss blocked out her afternoon to come in and send me home early.
I know that this does not even touch everything that He did for this trip and through this trip. It is just the very top of the iceberg.
When I was looking at flights 4 weeks before we were to leave, I was quickly met with a road block. The flight pattern of the other 3 team members from Louisville was about $1,100 more than the cheapest connections. In an effort to be resourceful, I quoted it with many different travel agencies. Each showed a similarly large price tag. I opted to make a different connection to JFK where I would meet the team to fly into Ghana. I had mixed feelings about this but knew that it was something I needed to do.
The morning of our departure (Monday August 17th) was surreal. It hadn't set in that I, Allison, was going to AFRICA!! I stood outside of the security line visiting with family and friends as long as I could. My departure time was getting closer and family left for work. With one close friend praying with me, I received a text message from the airline that my flight was delayed by 3 hours, meaning I would miss my connection to JFK. We walked back to the check-in counter. As to be expected, many businessmen who were supposed to be on that flight were disgruntled and rude. I patiently waited my turn, knowing that this was just the beginning of a great adventure God had set out for me. I walked up to the counter and talked with the representative. Within 15 minutes from when I received the text, my tickets were rebooked. Not only was I going to make it to JFK to meet the team, I was on their exact connections to JFK. Yes those same connecting flights that I didn't book in the beginning. There were 2 seats left on each of the connections that God had my name on.
As if that weren't enough, the businessman that sat next to me was a Christian. The entire flight to Detroit, we sat sharing about life and talking about Jesus. Okay God, yep I realize now that You had every intention from the beginning for me to be on that plane. He started out by asking where I was traveling. I shared that I was bound for Ghana for a missions trip. He asked how old I was and I told him. He then said that he had a daughter the same age as me who has drifted away from God and how much it hurt him. He knew that all he could do was pray. So we prayed together for his prodigal daughter. He began to encourage me in doing the work of the Lord.
Two days later (8/19), which was our first day of ministry, I was not surprised at all when I opened my bible to the parable of the lost sheep to share with the kids. I immediately through of that business man and his daughter.
8/21- After getting rained out of village ministry for the morning, we were welcomed by 95 children in their village that afternoon. Yes 95 children with just me and a young translator. But guess what, there was no problems at all! Of course there wasn't. God wanted me to focus on the words He had me teaching and not worrying about this kid doing this and that kid doing that. They all sat in the circle listening intently on what I was saying.
8/22- We ministered in a village that only had 2 Christians (the pastor and the worship leader). After we had shared with the children, women, and men, the pastor held a midday service. Almost all of the people we talked to came for healing, but still heard about Jesus.
8/23- Despite sore throats and stomach issues among the whole team of 4, we were strengthened to help with worship services.
8/26- While waiting around at the ministry compound to leave for the airport, I grabbed a book out of my bag and started reading. Mind you, Allison does not read novels, books, etc. Within a matter of about 6 hours, I had the entire book finished. What book you may ask- God is Able by Priscilla Shirer. This is the same book that I had in my carry on for my flights to Africa but never opened. Of course, God wanted me to wait until I was wrapping up my trip to read this. The entire book was on Ephesians 3:20-21:
This book and these verses summarized my trip perfectly! MY words could not come close to capturing the experience but these verses do.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
As I sat in the second airport awaiting my flight out of Africa, I opened another book, Aha by Kyle Idleman. By this point, I had someone sitting next to me. Judging the book she was reading by the cover, I wasn't sure where she was with Jesus. The book seemed to be of mystical sorts. I closed my book for a moment and she looked at me apologizing for bothering me and asked what my book was about. I got a little nervous, worrying about what her response would be when I started talking about Jesus. I told her and she got cold chills. She proceeded to tell me that she had seen 2 other people reading the book on her way into Africa so now I was the 3rd and maybe God was trying to tell her something. I told her a little more about the book (and Kyle's other books too). We continued to talk about what we were doing in Africa. I came to find out that her husband is a pastor and she was leaving him there for a year to start a church. It was her first time flying by herself but she was excited to get home to her sweet kiddos. We sat and talked for about an hour while waiting for our flight.
Even after coming home, God continued with the details in relation to the trip. I guess I thought I would be invincible and work the full 10 hour day the day after I got back. Well my boss blocked out her afternoon to come in and send me home early.
I know that this does not even touch everything that He did for this trip and through this trip. It is just the very top of the iceberg.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Debriefing
28 days ago today, I stepped out in faith and began my first African Adventure to Ghana. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but man oh man did God show off in the details!! Even after beating the jet lag and catching up on sleep, I still find myself struggling to put this experience into words.
In an effort to begin sharing this experience with others, I am just going to share where I am. I stumbled upon a few different debriefing articles and compiled a list of questions to process through. Here is some of the processing that has taken place already:
1. What kingdom work did I do?
I shared bible stories in various villages, trained bible club leaders on story telling, and showed the LOVE and JOY of Jesus to those around me.
2. What did I learn about myself?
I am a leader. I am confident. I am equipped. I am strong. I rely on Jesus. I am blessed. I can be used by Him. I am more than any label. I am more than depression. I am a teacher.
3. What did I learn about God?
He provides. He has big plans for my life. He knows me better than I know myself. He doesn't lead me astray. He took care of everything.
4. How were prayers answered?
Safe travels despite mechanical issues, re-booked flights with the team, patience, good health, restful sleep, ... I could go on for days :)
5. What have I learned about God's purpose for my life?
-I am supposed to minister to children.
-I need to be more intentional with my money to be a better steward.
-I can minister to people older than me. I can still show them Jesus' love and joy and how God has worked in my life.
6/7. What changed in me during the trip? What prompted it?
-I am dependent on Jesus. This was prompted by a lot of unknowns where I had to blindly trust Him and completely rely on Him. There is no way I could have made all of it happen.
-I want to slow down and live in the moment. I do not want to rush through life and miss God in the details. This was prompted by comparing Americans to Africans. America is very fast paced and many Americans are very stressed. The Africans are laid back. They arrive somewhere when they arrive. Typically there is an hour time window ("Africa time"). At the end of the day, if I am alive and relying on God, every thing will be okay!!
-I am content with where God has me in life. This was prompted by being asked a lot if I was married since I was out of school. I don't want to wish this in-between time away. It is allowing me to have some intimate time with Jesus.
-I do not feel like I have to have everything planned or scheduled. I know He already has it planned and I trust His plans. This was prompted by being able to show up to a village, open my bible to a story, and teach. God gave me the words I was supposed to say and I wasn't stressing about having a lesson plan.
-I want to be intentional in all relationships. This was prompted by interacting with different people in Tamale. When talking with them, they are fully there talking with you. They aren't checking their phone or thinking about something else. It made me feel like a priority and I want to share that with others.
8. What was the best thing about the trip?
How can there be just one BEST thing? There was a lot of great parts. I loved seeing God show off in the details. I appreciated that I had some connection to home (via imessaging and facebook) but that it was limited- this allowed me time with Jesus on a deeper level. I enjoyed seeing those little faces smiling at me.
Something that just blew me away was when I was sharing the story of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego or the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and the image of gold. I shared the story and asked if they have faith like those 3 men? Do they truly trust God with their life? They all quickly said yes. I stood there second guessing their answer and pressed on. I told them that if I was being honest, the answer is no even though it's something I am working towards. I then asked what their fiery furnace was that God was walking with them through. They proceeded to blow my mind when they shared their heartaches and that they wholeheartedly trusted Jesus.
9. What was the hardest part about the trip?
The hardest part was coming back home. There were some things that were hard while there but God is good and He is bigger than any of those things.
Like I said, I am still processing and getting words together. I will continue to share various aspects of the trip and stories of how God worked.
"Every day can be a mission trip. God is up to something big in your life. All you have to do is follow Him. Remind yourself daily to live out the mission that God has placed in front of you" (from preparemymission.com).
In an effort to begin sharing this experience with others, I am just going to share where I am. I stumbled upon a few different debriefing articles and compiled a list of questions to process through. Here is some of the processing that has taken place already:
1. What kingdom work did I do?
I shared bible stories in various villages, trained bible club leaders on story telling, and showed the LOVE and JOY of Jesus to those around me.
2. What did I learn about myself?I am a leader. I am confident. I am equipped. I am strong. I rely on Jesus. I am blessed. I can be used by Him. I am more than any label. I am more than depression. I am a teacher.
3. What did I learn about God?
He provides. He has big plans for my life. He knows me better than I know myself. He doesn't lead me astray. He took care of everything.
4. How were prayers answered?
Safe travels despite mechanical issues, re-booked flights with the team, patience, good health, restful sleep, ... I could go on for days :)
5. What have I learned about God's purpose for my life?
-I am supposed to minister to children.
-I need to be more intentional with my money to be a better steward.
-I can minister to people older than me. I can still show them Jesus' love and joy and how God has worked in my life.
6/7. What changed in me during the trip? What prompted it?
-I am dependent on Jesus. This was prompted by a lot of unknowns where I had to blindly trust Him and completely rely on Him. There is no way I could have made all of it happen.
-I want to slow down and live in the moment. I do not want to rush through life and miss God in the details. This was prompted by comparing Americans to Africans. America is very fast paced and many Americans are very stressed. The Africans are laid back. They arrive somewhere when they arrive. Typically there is an hour time window ("Africa time"). At the end of the day, if I am alive and relying on God, every thing will be okay!!
-I am content with where God has me in life. This was prompted by being asked a lot if I was married since I was out of school. I don't want to wish this in-between time away. It is allowing me to have some intimate time with Jesus.
-I do not feel like I have to have everything planned or scheduled. I know He already has it planned and I trust His plans. This was prompted by being able to show up to a village, open my bible to a story, and teach. God gave me the words I was supposed to say and I wasn't stressing about having a lesson plan.
8. What was the best thing about the trip?
How can there be just one BEST thing? There was a lot of great parts. I loved seeing God show off in the details. I appreciated that I had some connection to home (via imessaging and facebook) but that it was limited- this allowed me time with Jesus on a deeper level. I enjoyed seeing those little faces smiling at me.
Something that just blew me away was when I was sharing the story of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego or the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and the image of gold. I shared the story and asked if they have faith like those 3 men? Do they truly trust God with their life? They all quickly said yes. I stood there second guessing their answer and pressed on. I told them that if I was being honest, the answer is no even though it's something I am working towards. I then asked what their fiery furnace was that God was walking with them through. They proceeded to blow my mind when they shared their heartaches and that they wholeheartedly trusted Jesus. 9. What was the hardest part about the trip?
The hardest part was coming back home. There were some things that were hard while there but God is good and He is bigger than any of those things.
Like I said, I am still processing and getting words together. I will continue to share various aspects of the trip and stories of how God worked.
"Every day can be a mission trip. God is up to something big in your life. All you have to do is follow Him. Remind yourself daily to live out the mission that God has placed in front of you" (from preparemymission.com).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)