a little bit about what I've learned here:
Things God has taught me through His word:
- That if people do not know Jesus, God, what sin is,
about God's free gift, Jesus' sacrifice, and about
personal faith, then they will have no way of being saved.
- That we are all called to give up our lives to spread
this news.
- That this will not be an easy task, but hard. And our
only consolation is our faith, that we are doing what is
pleasing to God.
Things I've learned through my experience on the mission
field here at ITF:
- Tribal Missionary work is hard and if you don't KNOW
that God has you there you will not last. Darryl and
Becki - the two missionaries I met on my side trip left 4 grown
children, have never seen two of their grand children, had
their house burnt down (which contained most of what was
left of their earthly possessions and mementos), have seen
their own possessions in the homes of the tribal people
(they were stolen in the fire), have realized that most of
the tribal people who they thought were there friends were
only trying to get things from them, and are away from all
other believers and their greatly desired fellowship, and
everyone who speaks their home language.
- These people really aren't worth the effort (worldly
thinking), but then again, neither are we - and yet, Jesus
still died for us all. If you are going there because you
love the people, that won't keep you there, only being
consumed with Jesus will.
- There is a huge need - many people still haven't heard
the Good News, missionaries are few and under supported,
and they need and desire our encouragement.
- An incredible amount of effort, money, education, and
time goes into just getting a missionary prepared to go
into a village.
- A missionary must be encouraging (not judgmental) of
the tribal people. They must be able to praise even the
smallest spiritual baby step (just like a real baby).
Missionaries must stay positive and have a deep sense of
urgency and drive to do and persevere in the work they have
been given to do.
- Getting involved into the tribal people's lives is
pretty difficult. They must learn their language and
culture - how to think like them and learn their world
views, learn how to relate and interact with them while
all the time not judging them and loving them regardless
of what they think of them. And regardless of what the
missionaries think of the tribal people.
What I've seen of God's work in the lives of the tribal
believers:
- Happiness. They smile all the time and their eyes are
so incredibly bright.
- Determination. They are very pressured by both the
community around them and their own family to continue in
their tribal traditions, but they continue to obey God
regardless.
- Excitement in hearing people's testimonies. They are so
happy about their faith.
- They will sit for hours in church to hear reviews of
previous lessons, questions asked and answered, new
lessons given, testimonies, and singing songs.
As I reflect on these things, I am really beginning to see
how all this stuff applies to all us Christians no matter
where we are or what ministry we are in. In no
circumstance should we be judgmental of the people under
our wing. We need to always be patient and persevering.
To love even when we aren't loved in return. We always
need to have a sense of urgency and determination to work
with all our heart, throwing off all that hinders us to
run with perseverance the race that God has marked out for
all of us. This is the average Christian lifestyle.
It if funny, I always used to say that I was afraid that I
would live the "average Christian life" and not do
anything "extraordinary" for God; but now as I think more
about it, I guess I am more afraid of NOT living the
"average Christian life" and just fitting in to the
average world views that I will be bombarded with in just
a few days.
This has been an amazing time of rest, reflection,
adventure, and learning. Now comes the hard part. I will
go back and face what they call here the "Blessed Blahs" -
the time where I will have to start actually applying what
I have been learning and fighting the desires and
pressures to fit back into my "normal" routine; to not get
frustrated when people ask me how my time in Africa was
:) and to take steps towards determining where to go from
here - where and if and when to change locations, what to
do (go get a new job, go to some sort of school and if so
which one) and how best to involve my friends, family, and
churches in those decisions.
Thank you everyone for staying updated with my trip and
for encouraging and praying for me. It has been a huge
blessing! I ask that you also be praying for me as I go
home: for traveling and for my "culture shock" back to
America, and for all the things mentioned above. Thanks!
God bless!
Jeniene
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