Learning My World Geography

Unlike many other missionaries who received their call to missions in childhood, I've never felt called to another country, although I've always had an interest in other cultures.  I envisioned my role as someone who supported missions through prayer and finances.

Even though I had not previously experienced a calling from God to a particular ministry, I've had many people prophesy over my life.  The prophecies occurred intermittently over a span of 27 years, carried the same theme and were mostly from people who have never met me before.  One of the most extraordinary prophecies took place one year ago today when I met a wonderful and powerful woman of God (identified by the initials VM).  Within 20 minutes of our meeting for the first time, our conversation went like this:

VM:  Are you called to missions?
CM:  No.
VM:  Are you sure?
CM:  Yes ma'am, I'm sure.  My role is to support missions through prayer and finances.
VM:  Well, would you go, if God called you?
CM:  Yes, IF God called me, which He hasn't.
VM:  Would you go to Asia if God called you?
CM:  Definitely NOT Asia, because my heartbeat is for Africa.
VM:  You're not willing to go to Asia?
CM:  IF God called me to Asia, which He hasn't, then yes I would go.
VM:  You're willing to go.  That's good enough.

Believe me, I was puzzled by this brief interlude which at the time seemed out of sync with the overall conversation we had that day.  That is, until I felt the call to India.  Dummy me, not knowing my world geography very well, did not know India was in Asia.  Imagine my surprise when I got up to speed on my world geography!  Immediately, my mind went back to the conversation I had with VM.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  I believe I did both.  To think that a year ago, God knew His plans for me and revealed it to this precious woman of God.

Jesus said in John 14:2-3, "...I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  So many times in the Word of God, we view things as futuristic instead of applying it to the here and now.  This portion of scripture is not only referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ, but it also refers to the spiritual places He has prepared for us today.  Before we ever arrive at a particular place in our walk with God, He has already prepared it for us.  Anything and everything we will need has already been provided for us.  He is simply waiting in that place for us to abide with Him there.

Before I even knew India was located in Asia, God had already prepared this special place for me.  I will simply abide with Him.

Greater Dependency

The visa was approved!  YAY!  What was supposed to take 10 days took almost 6 weeks.  I actually cried with relief when it arrived.  I was seriously getting concerned thinking perhaps I'd put something on the application that had raised a red flag.  Then, I began to wonder if this trip was really the will of God.  Anxiety, doubt and confusion began to set in.  I prayed for clear direction...the visa arrived the same day.

As I progress further into the planning stages of this trip, I'm realizing I will be totally, completely dependent upon God and others for everything: transportation, food, shelter, language, culture, safety, etc.  The realization is making me feel very vulnerable, a feeling I am not comfortable with, yet it is what I prayed for.  Well, I didn't actually pray for vulnerability; I prayed for a greater dependency upon God.  Duh!  Greater dependency = vulnerability.

Being vulnerable is a good thing because through my weakness HIS strength is made perfect, bringing glory and power to HIM.  When I am weak (vulnerable), then I am strong (intead of strong-willed).  It's all about HIM.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  II Corinthians 12:9-10

Availability not Ability

"It is not my ability, but my response to God's ability, that counts." - Corrie Ten Boom

Lord, who am I that You would call me to work on the mission field?  I am a single middle-aged woman.  I have no special skills or talents.  I am almost deaf and I'm very tiny in statue.  My social skills are lacking and my personality is not the best.  Surely there are others who are better qualified than me.  "My Child, it is true that there are others more qualified than you, but they are not willing to go.  I called you because I knew you would say yes."

I have been an active participant of a united global prayer movement which is shaking the nations.  Our prayers move God and His response is to send forth the Holy Ghost.  God sends out workers to harvest as a result of our prayers.  Every nation, region, and city needs "sent ones" because the harvest is plentiful and there is a shortage of workers.  Will you join with me in this united global prayer movement by praying for the nation of India?

Warning: when you pray, be ready to be sent out.  In fact God may answer your own prayer by sending you since He is a sending God.  Isaiah responded, "Here am I; Lord send me."  Isaiah became the answer to his own prayer...and so did I.

"Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  Matthew 9:38 

OUCH!!

Okay...so I can scratch the word FUN off the "Fun Things To Do List" for the necessary vaccines for this trip.  Four shots so far and a minimum of three more to go.  OUCH!!  In addition, I will have to take anti-malaria medicine.  I've heard and read horror stories about the side effects.  I'm praying for divine protection from the disease and the medication.

Researching the vaccines made me realize just how fortunate we are in America health-wise.  We are not rampant with diseases such as malaria, typhoid, cholera, etc.  The majority of the health problems in America are due to poor lifestyle choices.  Much of the food we consume is processed, filled with chemicals and lacks substance.  We don't exercise enough.  We don't get enough rest.  The list goes on.  The Bible advocates living a healthy lifestyle.  God's ways are good.  We experience needless pain and misery because we do not follow God's ways.

Nutrition plays a vital role in keeping our temples consecrated to the Lord.  A few years ago, God started dealing with me about my eating habits and other lifestyle choices.  Many people questioned my changes, "Why are you eating like this?  Why are you exercising?  You don't need to lose weight."  To me, it was not about weight or body image, it was about pleasing God.  Disciplining my body helped me to discipline my mind, which in turn disciplined my spirit.

Often our spiritual diets mirror our physical diets.  What are we consuming spiritually?  Is it processed and watered down or does it contain substance?  Are we more apt to read a book about God's Word rather than read the actual Word of God itself?  Instead, do you want to be Spirit-led?  The more disciplined you are in the ways of God, the more Spirit-led you will be.

If you'd like to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle according to Biblical principles, I highly recommend the book, "Greater Health God's Way" by Stormie Omartian.  This book is written in a conversational style that is non-judgmental and is very easy to follow.

Prayer for Persecuted Church

November 14 is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  I have participated in this event in the past, but with a very casual approach.  Why?  Because I always viewed persecution as something that happens to someone else on the other side of the world.  It did not affect me or my immediate world.  This year's participation will take on a whole new meaning as I prepare for the trip to India.  Until I read the following article, I was completely unaware of persecution in India.  I can not, will not, take a casual approach.  I will pray with fervency and sincerity for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted.  I wonder...while in India, will I meet any of these brave, precious people who are risking their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  I sincerely hope so.  I pray I will "catch" their spirit of boldness and sacrifice.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - November 14, 2010

Most of us can be grateful that we have never been persecuted for our faith.  Maybe we have been laughed at, ignored or thought to be silly because we believe in God.  But most of us have never been beaten, imprisoned or threatened because we follow Christ.  Did you know in other countries that approximately 160 million Christians today are suffering because of their faith in Jesus?  Join with people all over the world on November 14 to pray for all Christians who are suffering for their faith.  Pray for their persecutors.  Pray that the Gospel will spread rapidly in countries where Christians are oppressed and that ungodly regimes will change as their people are changed by the power of God.

Missionary Stanley Scism on Persecution:
Persecution always goes on in India.  It only reaches Western attention when it gets violent.  But always...

   a.  if a kid comes to Jesus Christ, he/she can be thrown out of the house

   b.  if a teen comes to Jesus Christ, his/her parents can refuse to pay his/her secondary education

   c.  if an employee comes to Jesus Christ, he/she can be fired

   d.  if a family who rent their home comes to Jesus Christ, they can be evicted

   e.  if a wife comes to Jesus Christ, she can be thrown out of the house.

Persecution is happening in India again now.  One of our pastors is arriving late to Bible college because he's being harassed for his evangelism, even though the constitution of India guarantees the rights of citizens to propagate their faith.  Two of our pastors's homes and churches were destroyed by fire.  A church van was burned and 11 people were killed, our pastors and saints have rocks thrown at them, and saints are having to move to refuge camps for safety.  This is going on right now in India

Enjoy the Journey

I applied for my passport today!  WHOO HOO!!  This trip is going to happen!!  I am so EXCITED!! 

Earlier, I didn't feel excitement and hope.  When God first placed this desire in my heart to go to India, I was filled with fear and doubt.  Especially regarding the finances.  I knew there was absolutely NO WAY I could make this trip happen on my own.  There was not enough baby-sitting, dog-sitting, or part time jobs to come up with that kind of money in such a short period of time.  I would have to TOTALLY depend upon God for the finances.  Being very strong-willed and self-reliant, this thought of dependency left me feeling very vulnerable....a feeling I did not cherish.

I learned a secret a long time ago regarding my relationship with God.  He's more willing to help me if I am honest and transparent with Him.  So I prayed, "Lord, I am afraid.  I am afraid You won't provide the necessary funds for this trip and I'll end up looking like a fool.  Many times in my childhood, my basic needs were not met.  I don't want to believe my past, all those years of unmet needs.  I want to live in the present, believing that You will not only provide my needs but that You desire to do so with delight and abundance.  I want to trust You and believe You so help my unbelief."  I made a conscious choice to trust Him.

After that prayer, I recalled to mind a story by Corrie Ten Boom in her book, The Hiding Place.  Corrie was upset thinking about her father dying someday. As was his habit, he sat down at the edge of her bed to tuck her in.  “Corrie,” he began gently, “when you and I go to Amsterdam – when do I give you your ticket?”  Corrie sniffed a few times, considering this.  “Why, just before we get on the train.” Her father replied, “Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things, too. Don’t run out ahead of Him. When the time comes…you will look into your heart and find the strength you need – just in time.”

My God will provide what I need when I need it, not a moment sooner--not only for the trip to India but for all of my life.  I will let Him provide the ticket while I enjoy the journey.

The Beginning

The journey began on September 19, 2010 when I saw these pictures for the first time.  I was instantly captivated by these people!  I wept and I still weep today.  Not out of pity, but out of love, an overwhelming LOVE of God.  I feel HIS compassion and love for these people.  It's in the lives of these people that I see the greatness and vastness of God's love to humanity.  He loves them so much yet they have nothing to offer Him.  What did I have to offer Him?  Nothing.  Not a thing more than these people.  All I had to offer Him was a broken and sin-filled life.  Yet He made something beautiful of my life.

Some of these people have AIDS/HIV.  They are the orphans and outcasts of India.  They were unwanted, unloved, homeless and hopeless.  But, someone cared enough to offer them a home and some food, demonstrating God's love towards them.  Now they are happy.  Why?  Because they have been filled with the Holy Ghost.  The love of God that was demonstrated to them now abides inside of them. 

It's not about material goods.  It's not about health.  It's not even about family.  We only have ONE need in this life and that one need is Jesus Christ.  My mind and my spirit did a paradigm shift that day.  I could no longer think or feel the way I used to.  The desires I once had now seemed selfish and frivolous.  Suddenly, nothing else mattered except seeing people baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.

After seeing these pictures, I felt like I no longer belonged in America but in India.  So, after much prayer and seeking Godly counsel from my pastor and other trusted sources, it was decided that I would go to India for three weeks in February 2011.  We will see where God leads me from there.  It will indeed take a miracle for this trip to happen.  You see, I have no passport, no luggage, and no money.  But as a dear friend said, "His will...His bills."

I say the journey began that day.  Looking back over my life, I can see preparations for this journey were made in previous journeys.  I will share those preparations, along with the current journey, on this blog.  You are welcome to follow along.