| I was only in Africa for 6 months, which is a very short time. God taught me lots in that time that I pass onto you that might help prepare you for missions or encourage you in serving God wherever He has you. To really know even more about life on the mission field though, I suggest talking with other missionaries you know who have spent lots of time serving and glean from them as much advice that you can. Also, any books about or by Amy Carmichael ("God's Missionary"), Mother Teresa, Saint Francis of Assisi, Jim Elliot, or any other missionaries who you can identify with can also be a good source of wisdom. |
| The Life of A Missionary |
| WHAT I LEARNED IN AFRICA |
| One of the major things God taught me while in Africa stems from Philippians chapter 3. While God used me to plant a church, help build a house, lead teams into refugee camps, disciple some pastors and kids, it all was for nothing if I didn't fall more in love with Him through the process. If I go on a missions trip and do all these great things for God but am not closer to Him by the end of the trip, WHO CARES? God doesn't need us, He will accomplish His purposes with OR without us. What He wants more than anything is our hearts. |
| WARNINGS (remember it's a spiritual battle, and it's a war zone on the mission field) Some important things to be prepared to face while on the mission field and to guard.... -personal quiet time, need to intentionally make time to be with God or other things or people will rob your time with Him. Everything, even good things will compete for your time with Him. -watch out for deception, wolves in sheep's clothing. Have discernment in who you put your trust in. -misunderstandings, communication twists, lies, rumors, accusations are the norm. -physical illnesses -don't fight for position or control. Have a humble heart and seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt.6:33. Be willing to give up your "position" or "job" to someone else for the sake of the Kingdom being advanced."For it is dying that we are born into eternal life"-Saint Francis of Assisi; Matthew 16:25-26) -guard your words against gossip, etc.. -Don't harbor bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment because it will only cripple you and your growth/ministry |
| MINISTRY FLOWS OUT OF BEING NOT DOING Everything we do should flow directly from our intimacy with Jesus. Never let yourself get to a place where you've forgotten why you're doing what you're doing. Realize everything you do is for Jesus. |
"We dread Malaria fever, and fear lest it should get a hold of us and drive us out of the mission field. Should we less dread SPIRITUAL MALARIA, the fever of a restless soul. Surely this is the most dangerous form of fever possible. A fit soul in an unfit body is doubtless uncomfortablly crippled, but it is not wholly ineffective; but what is the good of a fit body with an unfit soul inside of it?" -Amy Carmichael ("God's Missionary") |
| WHEN YOU'RE THERE -continually cultivate your intimacy with Jesus -discipline yourself to spend time in the word, in prayer, in solitude, and in fellowship -PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! (God moved the most thru prayer. The bread multiplied when we prayed first along with lots of other amazing things. Before trying to do any ministry pray, rely on God rather than yourself.) -support and encourage your leaders, let them know that you're for them. -pursue unity at all costs (Philippians chapter 2), there will be misunderstandings, be committed to work them out for the sake of the Kingdom. -serve with the people and work together with them (it profits very little if you go in trying to do everything yourself, after you leave the work is all over. Spend time working with the Nationals because it's them who are going to continue the work in their homeland after you leave) -submit -do all things to make Jesus famous, build His Kingdom and not your own -learn how to set boundaries, do what God's called you to do, nothing more and nothing less. -live only for God's expectations, not others. Remember you're working for Him -take your Sabbath day of rest |
| PREPARING TO GO -pray -fast -memorize Scripture -practice being a misionary whever you are -learn as much about the culture as you can -try to learn some of the language |
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| 3/2001 |