I’ll admit it. Sometimes I think I’m super-cool because I’m on a summer-long mission trip. As student missionaries, we have the ability to do what other people can’t because of the season of life we’re in. We don’t have people depending on us, and we don’t have full- time jobs or major bills. We have the ability to give up our summer for the sake of advancing the gospel in a different city.

Ashley MimsThat’s not to say there aren’t challenges or that we haven’t made any sacrifices. I live with nine people. I’ve given up my personal space and miss the quiet peace of my own dorm room. I’m hours away from my family. What happens if I get sick or something happens to a family member?

My boyfriend is more than 2,000 miles and two time zones away. That situation has its own challenges and sacrifices. I’m making no money this summer. I have to take an online class while I’m here so I can graduate in December. I’m definitely enjoying Portland, but that’s not to say there haven’t been hard times or sacrifices.

The other day, I was waiting for the streetcar and encountered a visually impaired man. He wasn’t completely blind, but he had great trouble seeing. As we hopped on the streetcar, some high school-age girls offered their seats enthusiastically, jumping at the opportunity to do a good deed. The girls were so happy that they did something good for someone who needed it.

‘Don’t act like such a martyr!’

That’s when the visually impaired man barked, “Don’t act like such a martyr!” Then he grumbled about how it’s the rules of the bus: If you see someone older or disabled, you’re required to give them your seat. I was astounded that the man had griped at the girls when they had done something nice for him and offered up their seats.

But then I thought about it. The rules of the streetcar are plastered everywhere. If there is someone older or disabled, you are required to give up your seat for them.  It’s part of being a public transit rider. You’re not a saint if you give up your seat; you’re just an obedient rider. I’m sure this man encounters this everyday—people acting like they’re the best person in the world because they gave up their seat.

Then I got to thinking again: Sometimes we, as Christians, act like we’re martyrs. We’re not martyrs. We’re not “super Christians.” We’re not better than anyone because of what we’re doing. We don’t deserve any kind of medal or award. We’re just being obedient.

When you were a kid and your mom told you to clean your room, and you did, did you deserve a reward for doing what she said? No, it was the expectation. Why do we act like heroes when we do what God has commanded us to do? Loving the hard to love, feeding the poor and needy, teaching the gospel to others, forgiving those who have done us wrong, keeping up with and studying the word—these are just acts of simple obedience.

God calls us to make sacrifices

I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to be here, but I’m no martyr, even though I sometimes act like it. Hearing the man bark at the young girls taught me about obedience and humbled the part of me that thinks I’m cooler than I really am. God calls us to make sacrifices, and we act like heroes when we do it. May I become less so that God can become more.

Ashley Mims, a student a Midwestern State University, is serving in Portland, Oregon, with Go Now Missions.

Different. That’s how I would best describe the past five months of my life since I left Texas and headed off to live in the Middle East. Not a bad different—just different.

The people are different, the smells are different, their decisions are different, the sounds are different, viewpoints are different, and I’m different. However, this isn’t a bad thing. In fact, we are called to be a different people in a place that believes and practices things contrary to what we believe. We are called to be in the world but not of it.

Called to be different

We are called to be different. Sometimes we have to travel halfway across the world to remember that. It’s far too easy to get comfortable in Texas, or California, or Massachusetts, or wherever you may live right now. But one thing that has been impressed upon me is the importance for us, as believers, to be different, regardless where we live.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean different in the Lady Gaga/Hollywood/I want to stand out/everyone look at me sort of way. I’m not advocating for any sort of self-promotion or self-aggrandizement. Rather, it’s quite the opposite.

Every day here, I’m different. I live in a place where you tell the time of day with reference to the five prayer times. It’s a place where mosques are more common than churches in the Bible belt. Everything here is just different.

Less of self

To make less of self and more of Jesus, you have to be different. But I’ve realized I’ve watered this down back home. I try to blend the two. I’m probably not alone in this. We mix our beliefs with that of the culture, and we try to save face and not be seen as “weird” wherever we can.

In reality, the Middle East is not so different from the mainstream culture of the United States. Sure, they advocate for and preach different things. But it’s all the same in the fact that it is all different from what is taught to us in the Bible.

I’ve often thought of that moment when I step off of the plane back home and am no longer different, no longer an anomaly, no longer one of the only foreigners among hundreds of thousands of people in my city. But I’ve realized, even when I step off the plane onto American soil once again, I’m still called to be different.

J.R. is a Texas student serving in the Middle East with Go Now Missions. His full name is withheld for security reasons.

God creates opportunities for us to share his story with people every day, but sometimes we are afraid of rejection or blinded by our own ambitions to see that divine appointment. However, we have to expect the unexpected.

Jourdan PollockOn the second day here in Bonn, God opened the doors for a spiritual conversation, and Robert Hooker did not let that opportunity slip by. On the first day, Robert met Uli at breakfast. Uli was very welcoming and willing to talk to us and even shared about his family. On the second morning, Robert began asking Uli questions and encouraging him by sharing Scripture. It was amazing to see that only two days into our time here in Germany, God is already using people from our team to make an impact.

During training, we were asked what verse could we use to be praying through this next week as we begin to plan events and real start reaching out to the college students. I chose 1 Chronicles 28:20: “Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until all the work of the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”

I chose this verse because even though we are in strange place, God is with us, so there is nothing to fear. I chose this because even though some of our planned events may fail or get canceled, God is with us so we cannot be dismayed. We just do it because God is with us.

Robert may have gotten turned down and Uli may have just rejected everything he said. But God was there, and Robert did what we are called to do and shared God’s love through Scripture and encouragement to Uli.

Jourdan Pollock, a recent graduate of Midwestern State University is serving in Bonn, Germany, with the Connexxion campus ministry through Go Now Missions.

It has been one of the toughest two weeks of my life. There were so many hurdles, trials and problems that it was hard to keep up.

Lyndsy LaneeSatan was attacking us. A friend here, Amy, scraped her foot badly, and it became infected It was very painful for her to walk on and work, because she has to stand for eight hours for five days. Later, she became sick and it really taking a toll on her. Another girl, Jessica, also was sick for a couple of days. A boy named Daniel was having problems back home. Paula is having major toothaches.

The first week and a half, I was sleep-deprived. I was so exhausted I was getting sick, and it was very difficult to keep my blood sugar up. Then I had a major eye infection, some breathing trouble and more lack of sleep. Even so, I found the good in it all. We must have been doing something right for Satan to want to attack us.

Although it was very hard to overcome, what kept me going was the fact that God was winning, and Satan was losing. I will gladly take sickness and pain if it means that the devil gets angry.

Balloon animals and face paint

It certainly was a busy two weeks. We learned how to make balloon animals and facepaint for all the kids we would be ministering to at McDonalds and Fun Spot. When we performed for the first time, it was very hot and tough, but we made it and got to share God’s word and love.

ROCK ministries team members Joshua Reaves Harrison, Christian Stringer, Jessica Paige Smith, Lyndsy Lanee Donnell, Caitlyn Barnes, Paola M Colunga and Daniel Burkeen at the Downtown Disney area of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.On Saturday evening after our second set, we talked to a woman who was worried about her brother and his walk in faith. We prayed with her right there inside the amusement park, and I was overjoyed. A lot of the people we talked to said they supported what we were doing and would be praying for us. We can use all the prayer we could get right now!

We do Kids Club at local hotels here for kids ages 4-11 from 10-12 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Saturday we had a little boy from the UK accept Christ as his Savior. That’s what it is all about. We tell Bible stories and do crafts with the kids. We play games with them in the pool and eat snacks and just try to share God’s word with them and take it back to where they live, no matter where it is.

The Innovators who work at Fun Spot have developed such great relationships with their coworkers already, and I am so proud of them! When people like us go to help in the summer every year, people know who we are and why we are here and may shut us out.

Great relationships

But the Innovators did an awesome job showing God’s love first and gaining trust to show them that we are not here to shove religion down their throats. We just want to show Christ’s compassion. The girls at Give Kids the World are developing great relationships with their coworkers and guests, as well.

I love all the people here and have loved getting to know them so far. In two weeks, we have grown so close to each other. We feel like we have known each other for years. They say that doesn’t usually happen until Week 5. They also say the fighting doesn’t happen until Week 5 either, but we broke that record on day 6! We fight like a real family and love like a real family, with God in the middle. We are one great big group of 26 dysfunctional students who would do anything for one another, and I wouldn’t change any of them. 

Please pray

God is very much needed here, and I just ask you to pray that we become his vessels so that the Lord can work through us as we continue the rest of the summer. It won’t be easy, but if my God is for us, then who can stand against us?

Lyndsy Lanee, a student at South Plains College, is serving with ROCK ministries in Orlando, Fla., this summer through Go Now Missions.

One of the greatest joys I get to experience as director of missions and as president of the Bivocational/Small Church Association is surveying the churches I serve.

Recently, I was driving to various churches that were hosting Vacation Bibles Schools. The first church I visited was Fairy Baptist Church in Fairy. It was their first day of VBS, the children were piling out of the church van, and all I could see were smiles and laughter. However, those smiles and laughter was not just coming from the children, but also from each adult and youth volunteer who were welcoming each child to VBS.

Richard RayThe following day, I visited the VBS of First Baptist Church in Kempner. Let me tell you I again saw the smiles and laughter coming from each volunteer, whether it was from those working in the kitchen, those helping make the crafts or those running around with the children during recreation. I could not help but to smile and rejoice with them.

I then headed to Pearl Baptist Church in Pearl. As I arrived for just a visit, unbeknownst to me, they were having a communitywide VBS. As I walked across the street to where it was taking place, I was welcomed and invited to join in their circle of prayer. Fifty-five people attended this small community VBS that day, and they baptized six children the night before in a creek. I was overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction in knowing our Lord is saving souls in the smallest of places because of those serving with the largest of hearts.

Small-church ministry has its challenges, but the rewards outweigh all the struggles when we witness a single child receiving the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. These past few days as I traveled from church to church, it was my goal to be an encourager, when in reality I was the one encouraged.

Please take a moment and lift up all our churches that are hosting their Vacation Bible Schools this summer. Pray that volunteers realize what an amazing impact they are making for the kingdom of God with just their smiles and their laughter as they welcome each child.

I also encourage you to attend the upcoming Bivocational/Small Church Association annual conference, scheduled for July 11-12 on the campus of the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio. This conference is design to minister to small-church ministers and their families who have taken on the call of God to serve in the small-church mission field. During this conference, you will receive information that will help you serve your church; however, the friendships you will gain will enable you to be encouraged and an encourager to those serving as ministers and to their families.

If you need additional information or you would like to register for this year’s conference, please go to our website at www.bivocational.com. Remember, God has called you to serve, but God has not called you to serve alone. Let us be your advocate, your resource, and your prayer partner as you fulfill your calling. Until next time, please visit our website www.bivocational.com.

Richard Ray is president of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area. You can reach him at brother_ray@juno.com.

I went on vacation last week. We planned ours. Are you still planning your summer vacation? Well, pack your flak jacket.

A growing number of adventurous vacationers around the world are opting to vacation in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Think of it: Biking in Baghdad. Eating kebabs in Kabul. Picnicking in Pyongyang. Even tanning in East Timor. It’s not as sanitized as I was in Disneyworld, but the rides, I hear, are a lot more thrilling!

Jeff JohnsonThe travel guide to North Korea has advice like: “You’ll be asked to pay respect to the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. … Just do it.” The Afghanistan guide calls Kabul the “hottest city east of Suez,” but be careful, because “land mines are still a roadside hazard.”

Or you could go “less extreme” by undersea diving in an exo-suit, driving a tank (be careful where), street luging or flying a Mig over Russia. I fancy myself as somewhat of a risk-taker, but I really would have to think about buying a ticket to a place where the hotel concierge carries an automatic weapon.

Exercising and eating right are important, but folks who travel and indulge their sense of adventure seem statistically to outlive those who play it safe, according to Robert Pelton, author of The World’s Most Dangerous Places.

“There are a lot of wiry octogenarians out there who … stay out of the house as much as possible, fully understanding that the home is the world’s most dangerous place for people over the age of 75,” he says. “And they don’t let a lot of doomsday books and warnings slow them down.”

That concept keeps surfacing in my life—risk.

I am all about risk. We went on vacations with our kids—spills, far-flung Cheerios, territorial wars, etc. I can’t even imagine hauling along an infant on a desert trek through hostile territory! However, we have weathered a few Vacation Bible Schools. Churches that take the VBS adventure certainly don’t play it safe and, I would surmise, live longer.

We do, however, need lots of help. We find our help through Texas Baptist specialist Diane Lane. Whether your church VBS status is “still considering,” “late planning” or “on our journey,” Diane and her team will help. They are your Texas Baptist leaders to enable, equip and educate on a number of curricula, including BaptistWay, Gospel Light, Group, LifeWay and Standard.

If you think about it, each year’s VBS theme reads like an ad from a travel agency bulletin. This year? Whether your summer VBS travels include a “Blast Off,” an adventuresome “Wilderness Escape,” an exciting “Jungle Safari,” forming an “Agency D3” or boarding “Great Commission Express,” they can help.

One thing about the VBS trip that’s for sure—you’ll lose your life in the service of God and God’s people. But, as Jesus would say, that’s the best way to save it!

Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.

Patterson opens the door

Having read “Muslim seminarian shows ideology trumps theology,” I’m wondering if a Mormon man or Jehovah’s witness man will receive the same  benefit? Perhaps, but will there be an opening for a Christ-following Baptist woman to be given a the honor of being ordained in the church?

I believe Paige Patterson just opened that door, whether he realizes it or not.

Prentiss Yeates

Lubbock

Pastoral plagiarism is back in the news. Actually, pulpit pilfering happens so often, it never goes completely away. But it made headlines again this month, when Religion News Service published an article asking, “Is pulpit plagiarism on the rise? …”

The article revisits an old debate over whether preachers sin when they plagiarize. It cites several cases, such as megachurch pastors Mark Driscoll of Seattle and Craig Groeschel of Oklahoma City, both accused of lifting others’ material for books they wrote.

Editor Marv KnoxThe Internet provides a “double-edged sword” for hurried, harried ministers looking to feed the flock, the article notes. Positively, the web provides an inexhaustible source of published and/or videoed sermons and sermonic material. Negatively, search engines enable wary parishioners to type key words and phrases and catch the preacher red-lipped.

Pastors, scholars and ordinary laypeople debate whether preachers transgress when they speak other’s words as if they are their own. That debate isn’t likely to end this side of heaven.

But some churches seem to be lightening up, Ron Cook, professor at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, told RNS. “Not giving credit is not stigmatized as much as it was a quarter-century or even a decade ago,” he explained. “In some cases I’ve known in recent years, the congregations are more willing to give their pastor a second chance.”

Still, here are some concepts to consider as you ponder pulpit plagiarism:

• If you’ve never wished your preacher plagiarized, then either (a) you’re the most blessed Christian in the history of the church, or (b) you really need to quit daydreaming and listen to the sermons.

Preaching is hard work—much harder than it looks. Many preachers consistently deliver thoughtful, inspired, helpful sermons. But nobody bats 1.000. Between administration, benevolence and bereavement, counseling and committees, drop-in visits and myriad ministries, most pastors are pulled umpteen ways from Sunday. Even excellent preachers have a bad week.

On top of that, some aren’t particularly gifted pulpiteers. Some face all sorts of distractions. And some—not many, but some—don’t try hard enough.

Every weekend, untold thousands of worshippers would benefit if their proclaimer would read a biblical, well-prepared sermon written by someone else.

• Plagiarism isn’t plagiarism when the preacher credits the source.

Honest and well-meaning people can disagree on how much material a pastor should borrow from others. The non-negotiable should be giving credit.

The range of borrowed secondary material could vary. Perhaps a pastor uses someone else’s outline to preach on a Scripture passage. Maybe a pastor cites a particularly appropriate quote or re-tells a poignant illustration.

So, what about transparently preaching an entire sermon someone else wrote? We could speculate which would be better for a congregation—if a time-strapped bivocational pastor or a preacher who simply is not gifted spackles together a patchy, illogical, mish-mash sermon, or if the same pastor takes to heart and reads a fine sermon written by someone with more time and/or talent.

What if a pastor told a congregation: “You know I’m not great at writing sermons. But I’ll work hard and search out the best sermons I can find. I’ll pray for God’s guidance, and I’ll seek sermons that speak to our church. Then I’ll read and re-read them all week, so I can deliver them well. Every week, I’ll pray a public prayer thanking God for the person who wrote it. And I’ll name names”? What if the pastor prayerfully preached someone else’s well-crafted sermon for 20 minutes and finished with five minutes of personal observation about what that means for their church?

Of course, some argue this does not “leave room for the Holy Spirit.” That argument diminishes the Spirit, who certainly possesses the power to inspire both the writer and the searcher/deliverer. Inspiration flows from many directions.

And that doesn’t mean the preacher works any less. The Spirit can honor several hours researching sermons on a specific topic as surely as it can honor the same number of hours writing a sermon.

• Plagiarism takes various forms.

Some pastors lift the idea for entire sermon series—complete with graphics and PowerPoint slides—and allow the congregants to think they originated with the pastor. Some plagiarize specific sermons, or extended quotes, or biblical interpretation or illustrations. The most unseemly plagiarism, the pilfering that receives the harshest criticism, happens when a preacher tells another’s personal story as if it happened to him.

A preacher can rectify all of these improprieties simply by giving credit to the source.

• Nobody wants to listen to an academic address during a worship service.

Well, hardly anybody, anyway. A recitation of sources every-other paragraph would get old. If a preacher named 17 sources, the worshippers might leave thinking more about the fusillade of sources than the focus of the sermon.

The most lasting and discreet solution would be to list the sources in that week’s worship bulletin. In addition to crediting sources, the pastor would be providing interested listeners with resources for further reading and reflection.

• Honesty and integrity—as well as the preacher’s reputation—are at stake.

If a preacher will lie about a sermon—present it as if it were the preacher’s own—then who knows what other lies lurk about? Are they financial, sexual or otherwise personal? Why should a congregation trust a preach

Why should a congregation trust a preacher whose sermon delivery itself is a deception?

Of course, the ideal is a precise and powerful sermon prepared by the one who preaches it. But preachers, of all people, know we live in a broken world. Perhaps they would do a better job of tending to souls if they occasionally—or more often—preach sermons prepared by others. Just as long as they are honest about it.

I admit I don’t love my pastor. I have prayed for him once and once gave $10 to the church, but I still can’t say I love him. I mean he’s just weird.

Joel BlaylockOn Easter Sunday, he brought an unholy ladder into the sacred pulpit. I admit it was for a good cause—to illustrate how people reach up to God—yet they can’t climb there in their own strength. But it was still wrong. Very wrong. A ladder in the church, really! I think the minister of education suggested this.

Then there was the pet food thing. I recommended we add pet food donations to our food pantry. He got mad and gave me a book telling me why I was wrong. He said if we bought poor people pet food, we should buy them cigarettes. He sent me to some stupid committee that, too, said I was crazy. I made a YouTube video to tell the world my position. He refused to show it to the church. Imagine that! I’m starting to think my pets aren’t welcome in the worship service!

No cats in heaven?

Did I mention he said there would be no cats in heaven? How Christian is that? I mean, if all dogs go to heaven, why does he think, like Marge Simpson, that cats don’t? Cats are God’s creation, too. Just because they don’t love you unconditionally doesn’t make them evil. Why does my pastor feel this way about cats?

Then there was the Yellow Card affair. No it wasn’t a sexual affair. First, he created this ugly yellow card. Then he demanded I fill out a yellow card each service, whether I need to or not. How many times does the church office need my address? I bet some consultant suggested this crazy thing. Just because famous evangelists do it doesn’t mean we should, right? It’s killing the trees, I tell you. I don’t think he’s a tree hugger at all! I’ll bet he wastes paper in the office, too. He doesn’t look like a one-sheet guy to me.

Then, I went to his yard sale, and he sold me these electric scissors with no electrical cord. Well, I went back to his house for seven days straight at 7 a.m. each day. Just like the Bible says—seven times seven. He couldn’t find the cord. He’s told me not to come back; he kept saying something about a retraining order. I think it’s his job to train me! How Christian is that?

The Dietrich Bonheoffer incident

Then there was the Dietrich Bonheoffer incident. Yes, I call it an incident. One of the guys in my Bible study said he was a good guy. I said he was not. I had to print out articles to convince everyone—on the church copier. I even underlined the important parts so they wouldn’t miss my view.

He refused to admit I was right. How fair is that? A martyred German theologian or me. Who would you pick?

I think my pastor is way off track. I’ve stated my case. I have my reasons.

All humor aside, the fact is that most staff are encouraged to leave, or we simply dismiss their counsel over very silly issues. Not substantial ones.

Some people don’t like the way they do things, but then they don’t have a better way. It reminds me of the late Bill Bright’s comments. After being challenged about his witnessing method, he asked: So, what is yours? The gentleman replied he didn’t have one. Bill said, “Then I like mine better.”

Like my skewed perspective, many church members can’t see the big picture. Dog and cat food can look major to the right person. A yellow card? No reason to destroy the church—or to send your pastor packing.

We should pray for our pastors

We should pray for our pastors and keep people like me away from them! That means we listen politely to out-of-line church members—and ignore them when we vote for what is right. When they encourage us to form a coup to oust the pastor, tell them God holds them accountable for judging his leaders. Don’t agree or join in.

We should pray that our pastor and staff keep the main thing the main thing. If your pastor preaches the gospel, be thankful. Mine does! And if he doesn’t ride his Harley onto stage and then demand you follow him (which mine hasn’t yet) then he might be normal.

Keep him. Support him and be thankful God has sent his man to you. Does he offer godly counsel? Does he love helping children and adults find Jesus in salvation? Does he see Vacation Bible School as a tool used to help young people follow Christ? Then you might have a good one.

And whatever you do—regardless of what you think of your pastor—don’t make a YouTube video about him. It might go viral—whatever that means.

Joel Blaylock peacefully—for the most part—attends First Baptist Church in Allen. With his Rottweiler, Frisco, and his cat, Hanna, they all sit on the back row.

I really like Vancouver.

Most of it is like Austin, but other parts are different—like when I’m wearing a jacket in June and the locals are sunbathing in bikinis on the beach. 

Ashley RichardsonI’m staying in a small suburb south of Vancouver called Richmond. It’s pretty independent of its big sister city with plenty to do, eat, see and shop. Richmond is very family-friendly and green. Again, I don’t feel far from home. Everyone loves to recycle here, too.

God has brought all nations to this area. A different language is spoken in almost every home across the street from the church at which we are volunteering. I knew before I arrived that more than half of the people living here are immigrants, but it is a completely different thing to see it and hear it and smell it. It’s incredible. 

People from countries/tribes/sects that are at each other’s throats on the other side of the world are next-door neighbors here. Their children learn and play together. My supervisor said once that, in Vancouver, everyone is a Canadian and everyone is an immigrant.

So many opportunities

It’s overwhelming. We have seen a good bit of everything and for awhile, we were at a loss for where to start and where to invest the next two months. There are so many opportunities to love people and get to know them. We’ve met people of all ages from all backgrounds in the last week.

Revolver Coffee Shop, a hipster hangout in Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood.The possibilities are endless and we’re being pushed to start something, anything, new in Richmond. While trying to figure out what could be “best,” I’m reminded of Jesus’ straightforward command to go and make disciples. I know I could spend the summer planning and trying to figure out the perfect execution of the summer, but then there wouldn’t be any more summer left.

Pray for direction

So, it will be as we go, meeting people where they are and then serving and loving them well. Please pray for direction for my teammates and me—that we would be ready, obedient, and bold when opportunities come up.

A women’s weekly multifaith discussion is in the works, and the words “I don’t know how” keep coming to my mind. Please pray that women would be interested in talking about their own culture and learning about the faiths of others. This could be a great way for my partner and me to meet and disciple young ladies this summer.

Ashley Richardson, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, is serving in Vancouver with Go Now Missions.

Two quotes describe my time here at the Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City. The first one is, “Every child is a gift from God.” The second is, “God does not call the equipped; he equips the called.” Every day this past week, I have seen these two quotes played out in my life.

Sarah HughesFirst, as I spend hours with these kids each day, I constantly remind myself each one is a gift and should be treated that way. I paid special attention to them, and every day, I realized they all are truly amazing people. When you stop seeing them as just kids and start seeing them as gifts from God, the Lord will start to show you how wonderfully each one is made. They all are different but still magnificent in their own way. This was really an eye-opening experience for me. 

The past week has been a lot of planning, organizing, and just doing things that I am not used to. It has been sort of stressful, and sometimes I am not sure that I am the right person to handle it. But then I remember that God will equip those that are called to do his work. So, each day, I give it my all and do as God has asked me.

I put my fear of not being good enough behind me, and I focus on pouring God’s love into these young lives. I have only been here one week, but this mindset has helped me a lot and has made this trip an amazing experience already. I know this is just the beginning of a life-changing summer.

Sarah Hughes, a student a Lamar University, is serving at Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City with Go Now Missions.

I don’t fit in this country. 

I have never, in all of my life, consistently been the tallest person in the room. But that happens here a lot—that is, unless my 6-foot 8-inch supervisor is with us. I really have no idea how he does it, because bus seats, taxi roofs, doorways and even some covered walkways are top small for me. I find myself bending over much more frequently than I ever did in the States, but I guess we all have to make sacrifices for the gospel.

My job here in South Asia is not exactly what I envisioned when I signed up. To be honest, though, I think that’s a good thing in this situation.

A more strategic task

The job I signed up for was called “Rough and Tough Trekkers.” I had this picture in my head that I was going to be out in the mountains for two to three weeks at a time and only come back to the main city for a day or so. I thought I would be spending all of my time talking to people who had never heard of the name of Jesus and directly be involved in telling them the gospel. Although that may still happen on a shorter time scale, the job here is much more strategic than that.

You see, two Anglos from the United States sharing the gospel out in the boonies would still bring glory to God, but it’s probably not the most effective use of our time here. Rather, if we were able to multiply our efforts by 30 people, a lot more people could hear the good news.

So, much of our time is going to be spent training national believers on how to share the good news and how to train others to do the same. These are people who have lived here all their lives, who know the language and the culture, and who will be here long after I am back in America. In this way, we are equipping nationals to reach their own country.

We left for the south of the country Wednesday a week ago. This part of the country is very flat and dry and actually not that far from where I served in South Asia two summers ago. While we were on our trip, we were able to meet with a pastor and his wife, as well as two friends of our translator.

Prayer for the young men

A big prayer request of mine when I served here two years ago was for the young men of the culture. I was very encouraged by this trip, because out of all five of us in the group doing the work of evangelism, none of us were older than 26. In fact, our translator and national partner is only 20 years old, but he is the pastor of a church which includes his two uncles, his father and his grandfather. There are indeed many Timothys at work in South Asia.

On our trip, we were able to talk to a schoolmaster who was very interested in the gospel. We were able to give him a Bible and share many stories with him, including the greatest story of all.

The local pastor agreed to continue meeting with this man and discipling him as he grew in his faith. The next day, we visited a youth conference, where my partner delivered a message, and I played an American worship song on an incredibly out-of-tune guitar. That night, we met with another body of believers in a village down the road, where I got to hone the skill of creating a message in under five minutes—an essential skill in South Asia.

All in all, it was a very encouraging trip to see what has been done for God’s kingdom in these villages but also just how much there still is to do.

B.B., a student from Texas A&M University, is serving with Go Now Missions in South Asia. His full name is withheld for security reasons.