God has blessed our mission trip to Jamaica, which seems to have made a deep impact—probably more in our lives than the Jamaicans. The team will meet in a week to debrief and to talk about how we are different as a result of our experience. One thought came to mind this morning: A mission trip is unique, but there is nothing unique about how one lives during a mission trip.
To illustrate, at the end of our trip we stayed at a hotel near the airport. While I was brushing my teeth I instinctively turned the water off, because it had been scarce and expensive at the deaf school in the hills. My next thought was, “The trip is over; I don’t need to conserve water anymore.” This thought, however, was immediately followed up by, “But God calls us to take care of the earth as stewards, which includes not wasting his resources.” In fact the Christian has the strongest and most consistent motivation of all to be an Environmentalist (properly understood). A mission trip is unique, but there is nothing unique about how one lives during a mission trip.
Other areas of life apply equally. Several mothers on the team said during the trip: “I wish I could get him/her to work this hard at home. Why is it so fun and motivating to serve and sweat and get dirty and smile and lend a helping hand in another environment? One afternoon a group of us ran out of jobs and decided to just pick up trash behind the dorms. We found all kinds of things in the thick, deep grass: bicycle frames, lots of rusty metal, a dirty diaper, broken glass, and ticks. And yet it was fun! God, give us such hearts for hard work—that we work unto the Lord, not to men—no matter where we are. A mission trip is unique, but there is nothing unique about how one lives during a mission trip.
There was also talk, and prayer about opportunities to share the gospel during our trip. At a local invalid home I shared Christ, and an urgency to deal with Him, with a woman who “was not a Christian, but would become one soon.” Many others shared words of Christ and God’s love to the students at the deaf school. And yet we all know that in our lives back in the US it is extremely rare to find a Christian looking and praying for opportunities to share Christ to those around us. A mission trip is unique, but there is nothing unique about how one lives during a mission trip.
God, thank you for such an amazing experience. Help us now to take care of what you have given us; help us to more consistently love and serve others; and help us to truly believe the gospel—and would you build in us an urgent desire to share it in the mission field right here at home.
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