I think this is proof that God continues to set us goals that are higher than the previous. He tells us to follow and therefore grow in our faith. He does not wish for us to stop growing ever.
After my first mission's trip I traveled again a year later to Seattle for street ministry along with YWAM with my church. The next year I traveled with my Church to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. The next two summers I traveled with my newly former youth Pastor to Cluj-Napoca, Romania with his new church from Dallas, TX. Finally in 2009, I traveled with some friends from my local church to Tambov, Russia to work with the youth and orphans. It was not until after that excursion where I had one of the most memorable post-missional talks with a family member.
After I finished the Russia trip and arrived at the LAX airport, my older brother was their ready to pick me up from the airport. We picked up my bags from baggage claim and walked to the car. As we drove out the parking lot, I remember what my brother first told me.
"I cannot believe you got to go to Russia man! I was so jealous of you the whole time. It is one of the places I want to visit the most. How do you get these opportunities?" he said in excitement.
"It's all about application. You have to step out in action. You have to get plugged in with opportunities that are presented in your area. It is not about playing it safe," I said.
The conversation continued from L.A. until we got home in Oceanside. What needs to be mentioned about this post is that it's purpose is not meant to talk about good things I did, nor is it meant to talk down on those who have not left the country. We are all called to different tasks in this life.
What I mean to mention is this idea. If God gives you the passion for a certain task to benefit his kingdom in anyway, I believe that he's putting you to the test to show faith. We should not base all of our decisions only on our present situation, whether it be finances, family, disabilities, etc. God provides. We should give him more credit for that.
In James 2:20, it cites that we are truly foolish if our faith is absent of any works to prove it. We are to take our faith and show it in this world.
A comedian can recite his jokes in the mirror everyday, but no one will know if he is funny until he attempts to perform in front of an audience. Many people are scared of the audience. Will the performer run out of the comedy club in a heap of shame? Give the guy a chance to tell his jokes and then we will see.
Getting plugged into missions is not easy. It is tough work. But what is the point if it is not a challenge at all?
Coming back to today, I'm excited about heading to East Africa. I'm also excited about being used next next year as a Mobilization Intern for my school's missions program. I hope to be used as encouragement for those wishing to serve God and his Kingdom. I'm not exactly sure where this journey is taking me. I'm just excited to see where it takes me.
