Mission
News
We are in the process of expanding the
mission section of our web site. For the interim, we have
posted a story one of our teens wrote following a mission
trip to Malawi, Africa.
Why
am I here doing this?
God's presence beats down on my skin through
the warmth of the sun as I sit on the dusty ground. My bible
lay gripped in my slightly trembling hand. Eyes stare at
me blankly, waiting. Two American friends, a translator,
and a African man. Where would I begin?
Silently I pray with one more breath, "Lord,
help me here. Just let him see You as I do."
I open my bible. Romans road is written in the back. That's
a start. Still shaking I begin. Speaking through the translator
is difficult. But words begin to flow. Words from God written
thousands of years ago begin to spill from my heart. I read
them off the pages. They were written that this man may
see. He seems distracted. But I know he's listening.
Awkward silence engulfs us as I end. What
now? He doesn't even seem interested. Did I mess up the
words? Have I failed?
"Would you like to accept Jesus as your personal Savior?"
Why am I here doing this?
This question has been haunting me for a while now. The
translators do this all the time. Why did I come thousands
of miles just to do something that they do all the time?
What's the use?
God, I told You to use me. But why like this? As far as
I can see, I'm not really needed here.
As a faithful Father, He hears me. He gracefully sees past
my humanish doubts and hears my plea.
"Yes, he says he wants to accept Jesus."
The translator's words interrupt my battling thoughts. Great!
But, why am I the one doing this?
I pray with the man. He repeats the word of the translator,
who is repeating my own. His language is so different from
what I know, but I can hear the earnest plead in his voice
for Christ. This is so incredible. So why can't I be excited?
Why do my questions keep me from enjoying God's hand at
work through me?
Because He works this way through the native
translators every week, I don't need to be here.
"Amen"
"Amen" He copies.
My heart is heavy.
Why? Why am I here?
God hears me plea for answers. "Anything
else? Any questions?" I ask this newly found Christian.
I wait as he converses with the translator. I'm intrigued
at the words I don't understand. "He says, He has heard
this all before," The translator turns to me."
But he never believed it before. But now, now he truly does.
Because, he says, if you guys were willing to come all the
way from the United States to share this message with him,
it must truly be real and of great importance."
God confirms it. This is exactly where I need
to be.
Eryn Fiebig, July 2004. Malawi, Africa.
