Change in Plans

I've more recently understood the words of James 4:15, "Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" Plans are good to put in place, but it's still about following God where He has for you. This summer, I planned to go to Monterrey, Mexico to join with the TIME Ministries missionaries as the summer groups come in. However, due to a more recent up-rise in violence associated with the drug war, summer groups there have been cancelled and redirected to our other sites in Dallas and the Dominican Republic. The missionaries themselves there still feel safe, as the violence is only directed toward those involved in the drug war. However, after much thought and prayer, the decision was made not to bring the church groups into the area because of this shift in the area.

What does this mean for me and my "plans" then? Well, now I will be going to Dallas, Texas for the groups that will be there this summer, as well as to the Dominican Republic for three weeks in July for two or three groups that will be there. I will still be able to visit Monterrey for a short time in between groups one time this summer. Although this is much different than my original plans, I can see that this change in plans also brings about good opportunity. Through this, I will be able to see not only one, but two other TIME Ministries sites under operation. So, though this is different, I am looking forward to what God has in store for us through this summer. I truly do believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Rom.8:28)," and so I know that these plans are better than my own.

As far as long-term, my "plans" are still to move down to Monterrey as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries when my support is ready. I am still trusting that this is the Lord's will for me, and so I will go "live and do this or that" in Monterrey when I am able and ready.

Missions Conference

Well, it's been a while since it happened now, but recently (about 2 weeks ago) I participated in a missions conference at First Federated, Des Moines, IA. And by participated, I mean I was one of the missionaries! I'm still not actually living on the mission field yet, but I've had my visits (last one in March for 3 weeks) and I've been involved for some 2 years now with TIME Ministries, so I was the missionary representing it at the conference (conveniently, being that I'm the one who lives in the area).

So what did this conference entail? For me, just two days, although the conference went the whole week. First, I set up a display in their fellowship hall with pictures of Monterrey that correlated with "5 reasons to get involved with TIME Ministries" (although I meant to put "5 reasons it's TIME to get involved). The reasons were: 1) Service, 2) Exciting Sight-Seeing, 3) Ministry, 4) A Vision of Missions & the World-Wide Church, and 5) Relationships and Changed Lives.

I was at the church then for their two services, each at which we were briefly introduced and four other missionaries shared a little. In between their services, I briefly spoke with the youth at their sunday-school class, along with two other missionaries.

Sunday night, I visited with one of the small groups and shared a good meal together and some time to share about my ministry and how God has been so good in my life in bringing me to be a part of TIME. There was also another missionary couple there, some Wycliffe Bible Translators from Papa, Indonesia. Did you even know there was such a place? I'd only heard of Papa, New Guinea, the other side of the island apparently. It was a rewarding and encouraging time.

Then lastly, on Wednesday night I headed back to the church for an international dinner buffet, with very good food (more than just tacos). I spent some time afterwards to speak with the youth group, shared along with some time of singing in Spanish, led by one of the local hispanic churches, and again other missionaries. It was nice to be able to be with them, especially as this church has a group going on a TIME trip this summer, where I'll see them again.

Something I really appreciated about this experience was simply that I was now on the other end of such a conference, being there as a missionary, instead of someone interested in missions. With this conference, as with every year they do it, the missionaries go to speak to various schools during the week. I used to every year be one of those teachers that would have a missionary come to speak in my class, and now this year, I was the missionary (although I didn't go speak to classes because I'm working). It was a neat reminder of how God has brought me to where I am today and how He will use my life as a blessing to others, as it is a blessing to me.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28