Advice for Overseas Missionaries

Hey y'all! I have been thinking about this post for a while, ever since I got back from Ghana.  I feel like going on a longer trip is a huge thing, and I know before I sought as much advice as I could get. Still, there are some things I wish I had done differently in preparation and also while I was there. Here is the stuff I think went well, and things I could have done better!

Do get to know your team mates. Meeting with Olivia and Hillary every week was really helpful for spending time over there. I think the fundraisers and planning meetings we had every week really helped us get to know our personalities and how we could best encourage each other. For instance, Hillary loved hugs and that is really how she was encouraged. So somehow someone came up with the 10 second hug.

Do research the culture. I did this a little, but I sooooo wish I had done it more.  The culture will affect everything about your ministry.  Especially know what is culturally acceptable and not.  If you don't understand the culture you risk trying to "Americanize" the people you are ministering to. And God didn't create everyone to be Americans. Eat up as much information as you can get.  I know in Ghana it was very rude to not tell people "Good morning/afternoon/evening." I am sure some people thought we were rude without us meaning to be! Definitely wish I had researched more. However...

Don't come in acting like you know anything.  From discipline to dress to manners, I know in the 2 months there was so much I didn't understand. We were given a lot of free reign in taking care of the kids, but I wish I had held back a lot more. If you come in and take over, again, it is easy to Americanize or to kick someone important out of their job instead of encouraging them in their position in the body of Christ.

Do communicate regularly with your team mates, hosts, and ministry.  There are going to be times you are annoyed. There are going to be times you are mad. There are going to be times where no one has any idea what needs to be done.  This is so important to be effective!

Do encourage each other.  Even though we do not do things for earthly rewards, encouragement is one way God can speak through other people and restore your spirit. There were many times this summer when the enemy snuck in and made me feel useless and replaceable when this was missing. Remember in times when you are feeling down to seek it from Christ, but also just ask your team mates. Also, in your times of feeling down, try to encourage someone else on your team.


What would be your advice to a summer missionary? How could they be most effective in their ministry?

So this is the new year...

I know I'm a few weeks late, but it always takes me a little while to process things.  I am so excited about this new year.  2012 brings a whole new lists of challenges and opportunities, ones I am scared and excited and nervous and totally unprepared for.  That's the gorgeous thing about God, though.  He chooses the things that are not so He can show just want He is.

  I was reading about Noah the other day and how insane his calling from God must have seemed.  Building a huuuuuuuge boat to save his family from the rain.  So many questions must have been going through his mind, like what is rain? What is my family going to do when we get out? How long? How in the world do I get two of each animal onto this freaking boat?  But God gave Noah very specific directions.  He did not give him the answer to every single one of these questions.  It doesn't really say he gave him answers to much at all.  But God did tell him specifically how to build the boat.  God told Noah specifically what animals to put on it.  And God even brought the animals to Noah.

Our callings may seem insane and far out and impossible, but God will equip us with what we need.  He will! I truly believe He is a God of clarity.  Maybe not how we see clarity, as in knowing every single detail and moment that is going to happen, but instead we see over and over again how He equips people with what they need to fulfill their calling, to reach the next step.  We must believe this. (And I am talking to myself here more than anyone)

Some new ministry opportunities are opening up for me here.  I am taking over women's ministry for the Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM) here at Campbellsville University.  My goal is to do four events: one for each month of the semester.  So far, the ideas are mixed, from fellowship to service to discipleship.  I need one more idea, but the Lord will provide it.  It's crazy, I will wake up with events planned. Totally from God, nothing from me.

Another opportunity you'll hear a lot about is going to Ghana.  So many things last semester led me to this decision.  God said go, so I am going to go! I'll be there for two and a half months this summer, by far the longest I have ever been away from home.  I've never left North America, so this will be quite an experience. Raising money is going to be difficult, but God will provide. I'm scared about other, earthly things, too, like eating weird food (I am very picky!), and getting sunburned (I am very pale!). Getting to share God's love to orphans, though....ohhhh I am so excited!

Anyway, this new year God brought a theme verse to mind through Beth Moore's blog.  Micah 6:8 is currently posted all over my notebooks and all over my thoughts.  It says:
"He has told you, oh man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
I'll dissect this more next post.  I have already probably bored you to tears! Have a great week and year. :)