I came back from a missions trip to the Middle East to the unfortunate reality that most people don't get the opportunity to share their experiences! As a result people do not process the fullness of what takes place and no one is able to benefit or be encouraged by what was seen or done. This blog is for those that wish to share their story. To let the world know what they have learned and undertaken. May you be encouraged, challenged, and inspired by the stories that are shared within this blog.
It was the year 2012. I had just completed a summer as a missions intern at Grace Church in Amman, Jordan and I had so much that I was ready to share with others about my experiences. I had been through a lot of experiences, both good and bad, and they left me with a new perspective of the world. I thought over all I had been through over the last two month...and then with a sigh and the mixed longing to stay as well as return home, I boarded the jet depart from Queen Alia International Airport and prayed that one day I might return. As I sat in my seat and the plane took off...I was struck with the realization that my world would never be the same.
At a half way point between Amman, Jordan and the beautiful city of Chattanooga, TN, I met up with a group of friends who had interned in other counties that summer. It was in the small farming town of San Lorenzo, Italy that we were able to pour out our hearts to one another and share our stories triumphs and, most often, defeats. I know that for me personally, I would not have grown, processed, or learned as much as I did without having had the opportunity to share my story and to hear the stories of my friends. It was a week full of tears, laughter, and revelation, but the time soon came when we all had to bid our farewells and return to our homes to prepare for the school year to come.
Sadly, I soon discovered that most people simply do not care about the experiences of one who has gone on a short term missions trip. Others only want to know the number of people you witnessed to, how many times you preached, or how many souls you say "saved". It was a saddening reality for me as I found that I couldn't share what I had learned or what I saw while I was there. If had been there for many years then perhaps people would have listened to what I had to say, but I was just a "short-term" missionary and therefore it was as if I had nothing to share.
Peace be with,
Stephen
It was the year 2012. I had just completed a summer as a missions intern at Grace Church in Amman, Jordan and I had so much that I was ready to share with others about my experiences. I had been through a lot of experiences, both good and bad, and they left me with a new perspective of the world. I thought over all I had been through over the last two month...and then with a sigh and the mixed longing to stay as well as return home, I boarded the jet depart from Queen Alia International Airport and prayed that one day I might return. As I sat in my seat and the plane took off...I was struck with the realization that my world would never be the same.
At a half way point between Amman, Jordan and the beautiful city of Chattanooga, TN, I met up with a group of friends who had interned in other counties that summer. It was in the small farming town of San Lorenzo, Italy that we were able to pour out our hearts to one another and share our stories triumphs and, most often, defeats. I know that for me personally, I would not have grown, processed, or learned as much as I did without having had the opportunity to share my story and to hear the stories of my friends. It was a week full of tears, laughter, and revelation, but the time soon came when we all had to bid our farewells and return to our homes to prepare for the school year to come.
Sadly, I soon discovered that most people simply do not care about the experiences of one who has gone on a short term missions trip. Others only want to know the number of people you witnessed to, how many times you preached, or how many souls you say "saved". It was a saddening reality for me as I found that I couldn't share what I had learned or what I saw while I was there. If had been there for many years then perhaps people would have listened to what I had to say, but I was just a "short-term" missionary and therefore it was as if I had nothing to share.
Peace be with,
Stephen
No comments:
Post a Comment