My First Mission Trip
by Laurie Warner / Receptionist
“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge”, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”” Psalm 91:9-11
For many years, I have had it on my heart to take a mission trip. I thought I would start small, something in the U.S., but nothing ever worked out for me. Then, our Missions Pastor approached me about going to China. I immediately wanted to dismiss it for many reasons that I thought were valid. This was really out of my comfort zone! God was trying to show me that this was His timing for my mission trip. One by one, my excuses were torn down and I saw the bottom line was fear. Once I saw that and faced my fears and decided to trust the Lord, I knew those fears would be replaced with faith.
I could go on forever about the China trip because it was amazing, and I saw the hand of God in so many ways! It truly was the experience of a lifetime. I am changed forever in my perception of things.
The people we met were so kind and generous. I was humbled by their simple, pure faith. We had the privilege of praying for them and teaching them, but I felt so many times that they had so much more to teach me. They had joy in the midst of persecution and poverty. A joy that only comes from God. Their eyes were fixed on Him alone. My heart was filled much more than I could have imagined.
One of the bonuses for me was that I got to walk on the Great Wall of China! Something I have wanted to do for years, but never thought I would ever get to do! We just never know what “surprises” our heavenly Father has for us.
For many years, I have had it on my heart to take a mission trip. I thought I would start small, something in the U.S., but nothing ever worked out for me. Then, our Missions Pastor approached me about going to China. I immediately wanted to dismiss it for many reasons that I thought were valid. This was really out of my comfort zone! God was trying to show me that this was His timing for my mission trip. One by one, my excuses were torn down and I saw the bottom line was fear. Once I saw that and faced my fears and decided to trust the Lord, I knew those fears would be replaced with faith.
I could go on forever about the China trip because it was amazing, and I saw the hand of God in so many ways! It truly was the experience of a lifetime. I am changed forever in my perception of things.
The people we met were so kind and generous. I was humbled by their simple, pure faith. We had the privilege of praying for them and teaching them, but I felt so many times that they had so much more to teach me. They had joy in the midst of persecution and poverty. A joy that only comes from God. Their eyes were fixed on Him alone. My heart was filled much more than I could have imagined.
One of the bonuses for me was that I got to walk on the Great Wall of China! Something I have wanted to do for years, but never thought I would ever get to do! We just never know what “surprises” our heavenly Father has for us.