Be a vessel of God
愿成为上帝使用的器皿
Written by James (王珲耀弟兄和谢美宝姐妹)
愿成为上帝使用的器皿
Written by James (王珲耀弟兄和谢美宝姐妹)
这次的缅甸宣教之旅让我们多次经历上帝的恩典。首先，虽然这是我们一家第一次随教会的福音队到缅甸去宣教，随行的还有牧师，长老和几位青年人，队员之间却相处融洽，配搭无间。其次，这是我们第一次尝试以华语解释“福音桥”来传福音，我却在青少年营会里以此带领了一名青少年接受主，我太太也在和其他青少年传福音时有所斩获。我们不但在营会里带领了16位青少年信主，也在第二天到当地教会会友的餐馆探访他时带领了他的家人信主。看到我们一家成为神使用的器皿是件蒙福的事；神也透过这次的缅甸之行让我更深地体会到耶稣颁布的大使命。
（本文由林伟伦弟兄摘录并翻译）
（本文由林伟伦弟兄摘录并翻译）
My family has visited certain parts of Myanmar for the past few years but this is the first time we went with the Church. My eldest daughter was roped in as the pianist and that was because the team couldn’t get any pianist initially. We liked the idea but was worried that she can’t cope with all the songs. Praise the Lord the team managed to split the load eventually with another pianist, the Pastor’s son. And she did well and we were relieved.
We funded our 2nd daughter, Joy also to keep my elder girl company. Also, I believe she is old enough to contribute and it is good to expose her to the mission field.
We funded our 2nd daughter, Joy also to keep my elder girl company. Also, I believe she is old enough to contribute and it is good to expose her to the mission field.
Apprehensions
1. Dynamics of the team
2. Language barrier
Like all first timers, we are not too sure about the dynamics of the team. The team is made up of pastor, elders plus some young adults who seemed to know one another very well. Thank goodness all these concerns faded quickly as the members are reassuring and quite easy going.
Language continues to be a challenge. Although we have been with this church for more than 4 years, our family primary language for prayers and quiet times has always been in English. So it is kind of stress when we are asked to pray…. And share ‘福音桥’. Thanks to the team leader well thought through preparation class. On the first day of the trip, the verse that came during my quiet time is from Zechariah 4.6: Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. And with that reassurance and on the second day of the Youth Camp, I actually led a youth to Christ doing just that. My wife also has some successes while sharing with the youths. Praise the Lord for his Faithfulness.
Experience with God Spiritual engagement.
During a visit to one of the church members at their restaurant. While Pastor was sharing the gospel to the father and separately, the ladies in the team sharing to the mother and the daughter, I felt a stirring in the spirit and begin to pray in the spirit. There are days where my prayers are just uttering of words but that day, I felt engaged with the spirit and praise be to God, the whole family decided to give their lives to Jesus.
Daily Devotion.
Pastor has been very great at disciplining us to understand the greater meaning of mission. One question that challenged me is “God, what do you want me to do?”
Blessings
It is such a blessing to see my family to be used as a vessel by God. Before the mission trip, we had never hear any worship songs at home. With my daughter’s role as a pianist, I have the pleasure of hearing worship songs at home. Also, the blessing to see the youths, Tin Yu, Ji Xiang and Jia Hao serving and leading the youth camp and participate wholeheartedly. Finally, I am truly encouraged to know that the Gospel is being received by the 16 participants.
Experiences
Some of the fun experiences. I have had first hand experience of singing Christmas carols using loud hailers in a cold night to wait up people who are probably half asleep. Of course, after many many houses, the excitement wanes off!
We visited the Prayer Mountain and enjoyed the majestic view. Over there, there is a statue recording Kachin state sending out 300 missionaries to share gospel for 3 years in 1978. A great reminder that prayer moves the hands of God and many have answered the call of God to share the gospel to the ends of the world. Of course, we took the opportunity to pray as team over there.
The youth camp and dedication of the team where everyone helps out in almost anything reminds me of 1 Cor 12.12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
This trip reminds me once again, the willingness to be used by God is more important than the eloquence or human wisdom.
I like the thoroughness and dedication of the team, especially the senior members of the team like Shu Zi, Ai Luan, Wei Ling etc in organizing and making sure every detail is being discussed and taken care throughout the trip.
The challenge that I see is how to follow up with the saved souls. We can only pray that the pastor on the ground continue to keep these sheep away from the wolves. And I pray that these seeds have fallen on fertile ground and yielded 30fold, 60fold and a hundredfold.
Conclusion
The mission trip helps me gain a better understanding of the great commission that Jesus gave to us. We also learned as a family to serve in our areas of abilities and see the harvest of souls in action. Last but not least, we get to know more members of the church better.
约翰福音9:4 趁着白日、我们必须作那差我来者的工。黑夜将到、就没有人能作工了
1. Dynamics of the team
2. Language barrier
Like all first timers, we are not too sure about the dynamics of the team. The team is made up of pastor, elders plus some young adults who seemed to know one another very well. Thank goodness all these concerns faded quickly as the members are reassuring and quite easy going.
Language continues to be a challenge. Although we have been with this church for more than 4 years, our family primary language for prayers and quiet times has always been in English. So it is kind of stress when we are asked to pray…. And share ‘福音桥’. Thanks to the team leader well thought through preparation class. On the first day of the trip, the verse that came during my quiet time is from Zechariah 4.6: Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. And with that reassurance and on the second day of the Youth Camp, I actually led a youth to Christ doing just that. My wife also has some successes while sharing with the youths. Praise the Lord for his Faithfulness.
Experience with God Spiritual engagement.
During a visit to one of the church members at their restaurant. While Pastor was sharing the gospel to the father and separately, the ladies in the team sharing to the mother and the daughter, I felt a stirring in the spirit and begin to pray in the spirit. There are days where my prayers are just uttering of words but that day, I felt engaged with the spirit and praise be to God, the whole family decided to give their lives to Jesus.
Daily Devotion.
Pastor has been very great at disciplining us to understand the greater meaning of mission. One question that challenged me is “God, what do you want me to do?”
Blessings
It is such a blessing to see my family to be used as a vessel by God. Before the mission trip, we had never hear any worship songs at home. With my daughter’s role as a pianist, I have the pleasure of hearing worship songs at home. Also, the blessing to see the youths, Tin Yu, Ji Xiang and Jia Hao serving and leading the youth camp and participate wholeheartedly. Finally, I am truly encouraged to know that the Gospel is being received by the 16 participants.
Experiences
Some of the fun experiences. I have had first hand experience of singing Christmas carols using loud hailers in a cold night to wait up people who are probably half asleep. Of course, after many many houses, the excitement wanes off!
We visited the Prayer Mountain and enjoyed the majestic view. Over there, there is a statue recording Kachin state sending out 300 missionaries to share gospel for 3 years in 1978. A great reminder that prayer moves the hands of God and many have answered the call of God to share the gospel to the ends of the world. Of course, we took the opportunity to pray as team over there.
The youth camp and dedication of the team where everyone helps out in almost anything reminds me of 1 Cor 12.12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
This trip reminds me once again, the willingness to be used by God is more important than the eloquence or human wisdom.
I like the thoroughness and dedication of the team, especially the senior members of the team like Shu Zi, Ai Luan, Wei Ling etc in organizing and making sure every detail is being discussed and taken care throughout the trip.
The challenge that I see is how to follow up with the saved souls. We can only pray that the pastor on the ground continue to keep these sheep away from the wolves. And I pray that these seeds have fallen on fertile ground and yielded 30fold, 60fold and a hundredfold.
Conclusion
The mission trip helps me gain a better understanding of the great commission that Jesus gave to us. We also learned as a family to serve in our areas of abilities and see the harvest of souls in action. Last but not least, we get to know more members of the church better.
约翰福音9:4 趁着白日、我们必须作那差我来者的工。黑夜将到、就没有人能作工了