Team Life
Living on a mission team is a reality that seems pretty altered from what I would have formerly considered “normal” life. However, this communal life has become normal to me and my family. “Normal” consists of such things such as: having all things in common (at least many sicknesses, possessions, co-op situations like our school, similar ideas on child rearing etc.) It consists of praying and worshipping together every week, working towards the same goal with the help and support of others, and being sharpened by one another as iron sharpens iron. I suppose I expected all of these parts of team when we began this journey with our original teammates 13 years ago back in Memphis, TN. Though I can not even describe the depths of testing and difficulty this has been it has brought greater joy and worth beyond what we can measure. Out of our original team, one family has remained alongside us through all of the years. Our friends, the Millers, are in a very special way family, as are many of our other former and present teammates. Some of our teammates have returned to the states or joined/rejoined our team in recent years and they will always be our dearest friends. We’ve shared trials and grown together closer to the Father in ways that can only evolve in a cross-cultural, long-term life of battle together against the schemes of the enemy and to further the cause of Christ.
One area of team life, however, that I never would have anticipated changing me as it has is the ministry God has called me to again and again to live out my faith where the rubber meets the road in these often very difficult and interconnected teammate relationships. Here is another quote from Amy Carmichael that produced a burning feeling in my heart when I read it today.
IF when an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it; if the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden of my heart’s choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
This can, of course, apply to any area of life including, but not limited to, close relationships. How very true this IF has been in my walk with the Lord. I confess that sometimes I have shrinked back but most of the time I have swallowed hard through tears and said, “OK then, Lord. Show me how…” May He continue to give me the will to follow His answers to whatever prayers I pray. I trust Him. I would rather follow Him on a crazy trail than walk without him down the easiest flower-bordered path.
Happenings Today:
Cleaning, laundry, studying for Bible class, celebration of God’s attributes in Gabriel at team worship this afternoon, team worship, Bible class
Menu:
Breakfast: Corn porridge
Lunch: Hamburger patties, cheese, carrot sticks
Dinner: crepes
Scripture on my mind today: (shared during worship this afternoon) “…Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1: 5-6
Someday you need to write a book on your experiences. I so appreciate your humble heart. I tend to not only shrink back, but argue with God when His answer is not what I desired- even though it was a Godly desire in my opinion. Hard to remember He always knows what He is doing- and I don’t.
Your team mates, have in a vicarious way become part of our family as well. We care for them because you care for them– and then, as we come to know them, we care for them just for themselves.
Becky,
you are wonderful example to me. As we pack our home and move to the children’s home in New Mexico, I am sure I’m going to need to draw strength and encouragement from people like you. So much of our work here has been solo without the ability to have a team. It’s wonderful read about your thoughts, experiences, struggles, and strengths.