Last Sunday was the final day of “Missions Week” at our church. It was a time to focus on what we’re doing both locally and globally.
I had the privilege of speaking last Sunday morning about how a short term mission trip has changed or impacted my life. I could talk all day about the ways that God has developed me by placing me in a small group with a specific purpose, either within Australia or overseas but it was great to have the opportunity to reflect once again on what God has done in my life.
I’ve been on a number of what I’d term “short term mission trips”. Most of them have been with the Bible Society through Bike for Bibles.
• I’ve cycled across Australia five times. Raised thousands for scripture distribution. Spoken in hundreds of churches. Fellowshipped with large groups of people that I normally wouldn’t hang out with.
• I’ve cycled in Canada. Helped launch Bike for Bibles in Canada in 1992. Canadian Bible Society has continued to develop Bike for Bibles with hundreds participating and huge amounts of money going towards scripture distribution around the world.
• I’ve cycled in India Twice. Helped launch Bike for Bibles events in North West India. Spoke in many churches. Helped distribute scripture portions to thousands of Indian people. Led a group of Aussies for a return trip. Ate some great curries. Drank lots of chai.
• Visited Haiti and Dominican Republic with Compassion. Observed the work of Compassion and recorded audio for radio programmes. Escaped Haiti a couple of days into our trip as rioters rampaged through the city smashing everything in sight, creating barricades across roads and starting fires all over the city. Our trip to the airport was a frightening experience which only got better when we were led to a four wheel drive ute covered with heavily armed police who escorted us the rest of the way.
I pondered once again this week about how difficult it can be to fit back into ‘normal’ life after any such trip. On Sunday evening a few of the younger people at church spoke about their overseas trips and the theme of fitting back in to the normal routine was very present once again.
So how do we bring our experiences back, let them change us, but still be able to connect with our normal lives again? I reckon Paul gives us a great example with his first mission trip.
Acts 13:1-3 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
At the start of Acts 13, Paul (or Saul) is commissioned, together with Barnabas, to travel and minister to others. For the rest of chapter 13 and most of chapter 14 we’re told of some of the amazing stuff that happened on the trip. Then at the end of Acts 14 they return.
Acts 14:26-28 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
The pattern is set. Be sent, go, return, tell the story. Telling the stories of mission trips is essential for those returning but also for the church community who sent them. It’s more than showing a PowerPoint and giving a five minute presentation. It’s infusing the church with the full flavour of what God has done on the trip, drawing others into the excitement to share the joys and sorrows. Those who did the sending need to be open to being pushed forward and stretched by the ministry of those who return.
When this kind of exchange is happening, short term mission trips can build greater and greater momentum and those who take part will come back ready to play their part in moving their church further ahead.
Have you been on a short or long term mission trip? Did you feel you had a part to play in reinvigorating your church when you returned? Were you able to follow the pattern of Paul and Barnabas in informing your church of how God is moving in other parts of the world?
