I write this blog as I sit in the airport of Seoul South Korea, during our 2 hour layover, waiting to board our next 13+ hour return flight to Chicago. Our team's bodies & minds are tired, and this is when we fall victim to our selfish human nature. I am proud of everyone on the team for not falling into this trap, and for keeping the focus on Jesus and doing His will.
Most people have not been on a mission trip. Contrary to what their preconceived notions may be of a teaching, relationship building, medical or construction mission trip, it is far from a "vacation". Many of our prepared lessons which we had planned on using were abandoned, so much effort went into creating new plans that were more appropriate for our students.
Logistical scheduling was complex, beginning over a year ago, and developing a group dynamic can be challenging. We were so blessed to have the people we did on this trip, no drama; no conflict; each of us playing off one another and contributing as each was blessed to do so. We have all come together to work like a well oiled machine for Jesus. Our ability to adapt and overcome when road blocks were thrown in our way (aka "rolling with it") was a perpetual God sighting and has given us what we need to know that our plans, may not always be His plans.
Two phrases we learned were,
ไม่เป็นไร-pronounced,"mâi-bpen-rai", which means, " that's alright"; and, ใจเย็นๆ-pronounced,"jai-yen-yen", which means, "calm down".
These phrases show qualities of the Thai people and their patience to accept and not to complain about things out of their control, and their cool headed calmness. We, as Americans, could learn these lessons from them.
-Brian
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
-Reinhold Niebuhr(1892-1971)
0 comments:
Post a Comment