A First Views of Things
It often begins with the senses. Sounds of a language they don’t understand. Tastes of food that can’t be identified. Seeing people who look and move differently than they do. Smells ranging from different flowers to different sanitation standards. And the feel of a foreign bed, as well as the feeling of being the foreigner. These first experiences are not easily forgotten.
After a few days many will have experienced an expression of Christianity within a different culture. Some of it they find refreshing, and some of it they question. They will have likely seen poverty and societal needs as never before. Possibly they will have seen a vibrant church like never before. Most become eager learners asking very good and deep questions about culture, Christianity and how to move the Gospel forward more effectively.
Then come the relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ. These become immediately satisfying by the power of the Holy Spirit. People begin to exchange the most meaningful stories of their lives with one another. They will serve together, evangelize together, pray together, even get harassed or persecuted together. It is a friendship bond that for many forms quickly and lasts for years.
Returning home is difficult for everyone, foreigner and national alike, for every person who has been enriched by new relationships. Hearts have been changed, enlarged and strengthened by God to reflect His own. The blessings are cherished deeply and so it is that these first trips are forever.
Remembering My First View
For me that trip was to Burma many years ago. I’ll never forget it--the sights of pagodas and monks everywhere, the sounds of propaganda blasting from horns, and the smells of incense and garbage mixed. By contrast, I’ll never forget the sights of Christians so happy you could see it on their faces all day long, the sounds of passionate worship and prayer, and the aroma of hospitality from the kitchens at our meeting houses.
Stories have been shared and lives have been changed because of the people, the teams and the amazing eye-opening ministry that God gave us to do! Like everyone’s first trip it holds a special place in my heart.
Second and Subsequent Trips
Hopefully the first trip is not the last trip, but just a beginning. Second and third trips can be hard because we will automatically compare and contrast it with the first trip. Expectations are running high and disappointment and discouragement come easily. We must prepare ourselves for this confusion and guard our hearts from unfair judgments.
Each mission trip is unique, even if it is in the same location. For certainly the people and the situation, perhaps even needs and goals, have changed. You yourself are different, even somewhat experienced. Maybe you will be doing different types of ministry. God has put together a new experience for everyone, to accomplish His glorious purposes in and through all His people who will magnify Jesus Christ as Lord!
First Trips Lead to Forever
First trip experiences can’t be repeated, but their outcome can last forever. This is what happens when people work together with the Gospel. Everyone can be changed personally and can grow in knowledge and effectiveness. Christians become more powerful in prayer, joyful in giving, bold in living, committed to teamwork and humbled by the glory of God.
We all desire our churches to be filled with Christian disciples who live their lives intentionally for the advance of the Kingdom of God. First trips are the first steps to future mission champions and mobilizers in our churches and more and more missionaries.
If first time mission trips are led well and valuable ministry is accomplished, then results of Kingdom significance will be realized. They will be realized in all the people, churches, ministries and partnerships involved together for years and maybe even lifetimes to come. Though it is small at first, something great may have just begun!
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