MT Reflections.
A little overdue, but here it is…
Benita Lim – Thai Mission Trip December 2007 Reflections
After waiting for 4 years to go on a mission trip, I’m very grateful that I received many blessings prior to and during the trip. This trip was actually a birthday present from my friends and loved ones by my request. Many emotions and thoughts assaulted me throughout the course of the trip, but I’ll condense it into three main lessons that I’ve learnt.
People-relations
Living and working together with a whole group of people of different ages and backgrounds was no easy task. It trained my patience and also made me see how important teamwork and communication really is – especially in a foreign land. From the programme’s preparations to transitions between flights, it was essential that we accepted each other’s differences in personality, priorities and character and were sensitive to them. As Paul teaches us in 1 Cor 3, we’re fellow workers in God’s building. We each hold different roles in the team, and we should be responsible with our duties while carefully laying Christ’s foundation in Thailand.
Trusting God’s sovereignty
Letting go and resting in God’s power was a great lesson to learn. Through our sharings, some were disheartened that the children were restless during our activities. Some wondered if the message hit home. However, as much as the Thais were steeped in their culture, we got to see that God is the one who causes the seeds we’re watering to grow. That only He can open the eyes of the Thai’s hearts to accept Him. It’s definitely by God’s grace that the missionaries before us have planted the relational and gospel seeds among the Thais. Getting to schools (again, steeped in tradition) and being able to present God’s word to them was very much easier.
We also did something never-before-attempted in previous mission trips: Caroling in public places. We went to a popular ChiangMai night market and Big C, a hypermarket. It was interesting yet heart-wrenching, singing carols and Christian songs to many ears belonging to the lost. But it greatly encouraged us when the odd person stopped in the busy human traffic to listen to us and even sang along. These events also made us rely on faith and constant prayer as we ministered to the Thais through song and sincerity.
A trip to the biggest temple in ChiangMai further emphasized the spiritual darkness that encompasses Thailand. There were so many idols and devout Buddhists, and it pained to see them earnestly seeking for answers in all the wrong places. We gathered in silent prayer at the foot of the temple after, and once again committed Thailand to the Lord.
Thai Christians
Although we tended to make various comparisons between the Thais and the people back home, one stark observation was surely the Thai Christian’s persevering faith and love for their unsaved fellow men. This is a good reminder for us, comfortable in our multi-racial and accepting society, to open our eyes and bring back the lost around us.
I thank God for the opportunity to go on the mission trip. I must admit, however, that I didn’t fully make use of my limited time there and took things lightly. This will be something for me to take note about on future trips.
