This is my and our family’s first mission trip – a 2 weeks summer kids camp in Durres Albania. Days of our lives come and go. Sometimes they slip right by like sand in an hour glass, but sometimes they become stones of remembrance that we go back to again and again. This will forever be a stone for me, and I pray that it would be one too for the family in the days to come. This stone shall bear witness to –
·
The Dancing Gelato – comprising of Samuel,
Lidia, Katerina, Amaris, Mateo, Kristi, Isabel, Kristi, Alteo and Luena. Before
this camp, we were strangers living on different continents; but now you have a
small piece of my heart. Whether it was beach time, group games, Bible lessons,
snack time or bus rides – thank you for cheering, dancing the macarena,
singing, swimming by me, getting increasingly comfortable with me, sticking with
the group, holding my hand, talking to me and coming back for the
Bible. I am entrusting you all into the Lord’s hands, and will be praying that
He will reveal Himself to you and call you by name. And may you who have His
Word will hear His voice.
·
The Powerful Way-Maker – to be reminded anew the
desperation of the people when faced with the insurmountable Red Sea before them
and the galloping chariots of the Egyptian army behind them, God made a way for
them. Where the chasm between God and sinful man was too wide to cross, God
made a way for us. Where the cross brought life to those who trusted in Jesus,
it also brought condemnation on His enemies. Hallelujah to our God, the Almighty,
the way maker for His people! In the past when I read the story, this was done
by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for His people Israel, to keep His covenant
of old. The story became strangely personal this time for me – that’s my God
doing that! And like the Israelites, I can remember the Exodus as His covenant keeping, faithful, powerful and personal act of salvation.
·
The Sweetness of talking about Jesus – evangelism
to me was often more a command to obey than something I desired to do. But
through the camp, I felt a new sadness for the Muslims and tasted afresh the sweetness
of telling unreached ears about Jesus. He’s not just a prophet, He’s Creator, Provider,
Savior, Healer and Way Maker! Lord, refresh my heart and renew my fire to bear
witness to you in every situation.
·
The Refreshment of Friendship – Our Father has
spoilt us with the unexpected blessing of time with the Rushitis. It was like soul
nectar to see Kujtim and Arthur serving alongside and hanging out with each other (Eurocup!),
getting to chat with Lauren, seeing Ellie and Mya hang out like sisters, Paul
and Elliot playing soccer together and hearing sweet Kate talk. Such precious
memories. It is bittersweet to know that these dear friends are laboring in the
Gospel work so far away and not being able to do more for them. But it fills me
with unspeakable pride to know that their labor and sacrifices will not be in
vain, as they give their life to bring God’s kingdom to Albania. Great will be
their treasures in heaven!
·
The Joy of doing His work – It was a much needed
and welcomed mental break from my corporate job. It confirmed what I already
know – that I will not miss the corporate hustle bustle when I finally have the chance to do
something else some day. There was also a simplicity in waking up, and going to
camp each day. Even though planning, juggling schedules and coordinating
calendars are inevitable in every day “real life”, my prayer is that the simple
joy of being present in each moment and let “tomorrow worry about itself” will
not be lost.
·
The Body of Christ working together – There is
work that Arthur and I used to be able to do, but now cannot given physical
limitations, we praise God for the youth in our group who play tirelessly with
the little ones. There is work that we might still be able to do, but it is
time to let the next generation take
over. There is work that we are gifted to do today that we were not able to
when we were younger, and that we ought to lean more into. The Body of Christ
works together – with different spiritual gifts, with different generations, what
joy!
· Moving towards God as a family – we have heard the triangle analogy that as the couple moves towards God, they also move towards each other. I believe this is true of the family as well. We think about teaching the Bible, modeling Christ to the children and investing in our relationship with them, all of these are good and important. But more importantly still, is us moving towards God and nudging them to do the same. This trip is a small attempt to do that, to choose Him first – with our time and money. We’re on an adventure as a family, to lay aside preferences and do whatever it takes. To be on mission together, in whatever form it takes in our various life stages. I am proud of the kids sharing their parents, enjoy being with the team, playing well with the Albanian kids; I am overjoyed that Arthur is refreshed; and I am thankful that we got to do life together (meltdowns and all) in a foreign land.
Thank you Lord for this gift, this adventure and the many lessons. Please continue to increase in us and our family.
1 Sam 7:12 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"
