Short-term missions can have an incredible impact on the participants, if they are truly broken of their western ethnocentrism and exposed to the extreme poverty of the Third World. The whole process can have a rather cleansing effect on our heart-sick attitudes that all too often revolve around self.
a married World Racer,
journals this about her time in Africa:
May 20, 2007
The joy of Africa is written all over the smiles of the starving and
the fatherless. Jesus is stirring this nation into revival, and His
mark has been left… the praising, the dancing, the laughter. The joy
of the Lord is in Mozambique.
After playing with countless orphans at the Iris base (OK, so most of
the children who are drawn to me are usually the quiet, overlooked ones
who just want to sit in your lap, hold your hand, or play with your
hair), going to a food outreach at a refugee camp (there was a flood in
Mozambique a few months back and this is disaster relief work), praying
for the sick and hearing or even seeing they’ve been healed, and being
a part of a new church that meets under a tree in the bush, I can
honestly say that God has covered this place in His garment of praise.
America has it all wrong. Our joy seems to hinge upon how much money we
have, or our success, or status and title, or even our religion. It
will never bring us happiness. Joy comes form the Holy Spirit… it’s
one of His fruit! (love, JOY, peace, patience, etc…) It pours out
from a heart that longs to follow Jesus, no matter the cost, no matter
the circumstance.
If I could end world hunger right now, I would. If every child had
parents, that would bless my soul. If AIDS and other epidemics could be
eradicated today I would be ecstatic. But Mozambique praises the Lord
in the midst of these abominations.
And I complain about eating rice every day.
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Dear Seth
we are a people who have so much and are never content. God has blessed us so much and we still complain. We should be glad that God doesn’t treat us the way we deserve to be, if it was not for his mercy none of us would wake up . people let us not complain about unimportant things when there are people who have so little,but they still smile and manage to show love every chance they get. I start with myself to improve on being grateful instead of a complaining.
thanks Seth
Seth, THANKS for reminding me, I sometimes forget just as we all do and take what God has given for granted.
Amen.
God has blessed America. May we find joy in sharing that blessing throughout the world!
…in Jesus Name!! AMEN!!
can’t help thinking that the author of this one sure is an amazing woman
Seth! We so enjoyed our short time with you guys in Swaziland. May the Lord continue to direct your paths and the people you encounter! See our blog at flanegin.blogspot.com. Also, we have misplaced Rusty Jackson’s email and would like to get in touch with him. Can you help? Rob & Tresa