Traveling outside your comfort zone

Today I have posted another picture of the Romanian church during worship. This time it is during a VBS called "Who's your hero?". The answer, of course, is Jesus! Robert Elkins and David Gentiles are leading the worship. The children loved it!

Today is day five in our study preparing for a mission trip. It’s a good bet you’ll pack your favorite remedies for common ailments on the trip. There’s that pink lotion for bug bites and the other pink medicine for when you’re “intestinally challenged.” But what are you packing for culture shock? Have you heard of that ailment?

What is culture shock anyway? To help understand it, let’s imagine this scenario: When you arrive at your site, the warm weather feels so lovely, the little village seems quaint and friendly, and your hosts are so interested and neighborly. But…after a few weeks or maybe even days, you feel your attitudes shift. The honeymoon is definitely over. Suddenly the heat is stifling, the tiny village is closing in on you, and your hosts won’t give you a moment to yourself. On the last two missons trips I have taken I just couldn't get used to the heat. The local people were not bothered at all by the heat. In fact, sometimes they had jackets on when I was sweating. I ended up buying a box fan in both countries. One was in South America and one was in Europe but they were both different from my home. Is that culture shock? Let’s start with a definition.

Culture shock is the disorientation that results from unfamiliar surroundings and unmet expectations.

Culture shock has begun. Nothing is predictable, and daily living is filled with an uncomfortable feeling. Now you find yourself critical and complaining…and disappointed for even feeling this way. You may even feel like going home.

Just remember that these are all very normal feelings for anyone who travels outside his or her own culture. So even though you may expect to experience some degree of culture shock, let’s look at it carefully and see if it can be a bit less electrifying.

What happens when living outside of one’s own culture? After the initial honeymoon stage, one of the first things to creep in is a judgmental attitude. If things are different from one’s own customs, values, and behaviors, they are, well…just wrong or intolerable, or at least, just plain weird.

Think about this. It’s even true when you get close to another person or family here at home. When they do something differently than you do, it’s common to thing that you do it the right way and they do it the wrong way.

Think of an example from when your own experience of another person or family doing “it” wrong, and write it out.

In every culture we can find unbiblical practices. But experts say that people from every culture around the world think their way is the right way. This is called ethnocentricity. It is very important to learn early that the social behaviors of another culture are not necessarily wrong; they are just different from yours. They can be appreciated and enjoyed. Try to memorize this phrase, and remind yourself of it often. “IT’S NOT WRONG; IT’S JUST DIFFERENT.”

The famous short-term missionary Paul lived in and out of many different cultures. Read in 1 Corinthians 10 about Paul’s dealing with an agitated group who thought eating certain meat was wrong. In verses 23-33, he addresses this issue. Write out two principles that you want to remember from verses 31-33.

“How” is more important than “what”

Yesterday my photo was of people worshiping in Columbia. Today in the photo above people are worshiping in Tanzania. First Baptist Euless partners with E3 on mission trips to Africa and South America. On the trip to Tanzania last year over 3,000 people came to know Jesus as their Savour.

Today is the fourth day of a study posted on my blog for preparing to go on a mission trip. Many mission projects are about providing some kind of construction work, like building a house. Some projects involve ministry at a church, like a Vacation Bible School. It’s easy to look at the kind of activity you do as an end in it self. Moving a family from a house of cardboard to a new cinderblock home or teaching about Jesus are worthy goals and important accomplishments in the name of God.

But let’s look deeper that the “what” of a project and explore the “how.” We know that God cares deeply about our attitudes. It’s about more than just doing something worthwhile. It’s about serving: serving with a right attitude, one that exemplifies Christ.

Jesus was on a mission when He left His home in heaven and came to earth. He had much to accomplish. He healed the sick, helped men catch fish for their livelihood, and taught the lost that He was their Savior. But let’s also look at “HOW” He did these things.

Read Philippians 2:1-8. Then write out the instructions Paul gives us in verses 3-5.

Looking at verses 6-8, trace the steps Jesus took as He left heaven, came to earth, and eventually died for us. Write out the steps He took. Next to each step, write how He did it.

Having an attitude of humility is easier said than done. We, as North Americans, are not known for our humility. North Americans often have more of an attitude of selfishness and even superiority. To look out for and serve others before ourselves is very difficult. It is the opposite of what we are taught by our peers. Being a humble servant does not come naturally.

Whatever the tasks of your mission project, whether digging a ditch, taking care of the sick, or doing mundane chores, your attitude will mean the most. God wants to build the qualities of a humble servant into your character.

Jesus spoke about an attitude of superiority in Mark 10:42-45. What do you those who act superior do? What is the great paradox of servant-hood?

Considering the environment and the work you will do on your trip, what are some practical ways you can be a humble servant and avoid acting superior?

Read the promises of Philippians 1:6 and 2:13. Write out the phrases that give you confidence that you can have a Christ-like attitude.

What’s in this for you? What’s in this for them?

This is a photo of the church in Cartegena, Columbia during worship. A friend from our church named Brian Massey is the IMB missionary there. His gift is music and teaching and he does a wonderful job there in Columbia.

Today post will be the second post in a series concerning steps for preparing for a mission trip. It’s amazing how many people benefit from a short-term mission trip. One church group came up with 37 distinct benefits of sending a mission team. These benefits will flow in three different directions: toward those you serve, your group, and yourself.

Some benefits to those you serve:
• You bring fresh energy, willing hands, and encouragement to your hosts, both the missionary and the national.
• You provide the resources or know-how to fulfill a need.
• Your host experiences community with the larger body of Christ as you worship and work together.
• Some may come to Christ

Some benefits to your group:
• What you learn in another culture shapes and brings new perspectives into the group.
• Leadership abilities grow and become stronger.
• Others are encouraged to grow by stepping out of their comfort zones through observing the group in action.
• People live out newly examined values in light of a larger worldview when they return to their home church.
• The group gains a new vision and enthusiasm for serving at home.

Some personal benefits:
• Make new friends with your team and hosts.
• Be challenged to grow spiritually.
• Use your gifts to build the body of Christ.
• Grow a larger heart for the lost and needy.
• Learn to live and love in the diversity of another culture.
• Experience fulfillment as you strive to learn, love, and serve I the name of Jesus.

That’s a pretty impressive list, isn’t it? Yet when you return home from your trip, you will add some benefits of your own. Looking at these lists can also be a little intimidating. Can God do all this through you and in you? You’re likely to experience dependence on Him in a whole new way. You will need to depend on His power, not your own.

Look at the list of benefits and mentally put a check mark by the ones you get most excited about. Pray for these things to become a reality. In the book of Ephesians, we find some real encouragement about depending on God. In Ephesians 3:14-21, we see what God’s power can do. Record three ways that His power can help you.

Now take some time to write out a prayer about your need to depend on God’s power and not your own in light of your responsibilities on your mission trip.

“Whatever it takes!”

This is a group of Romanian translators that helped us on our first trip to Romania. Each one is from a different part of Romania and belongs to a local church. Most of them are students and this is volunteer work for them.

Today I will begin to post steps for preparing for a mission trip. These lessons may help you walk into diverse surroundings with less fear and more sensitivity.

When a person responds to a request with, “OK, whatever it takes,” it suggests a willing attitude and desire to do the job. Short-term mission projects are all about “whatever it takes.” From door to door evangelism, to painting walls to playing soccer to pulling teeth, short-termers find ways to bring God’s love to people.

Crossing cultural barriers and reaching out to advance the cause for Jesus Christ is no small thing. Missionaries have been motivated by the spirit of “whatever it takes” throughout all history. Through your experience, you will begin to understand this motivation that permeates the world of missionary service.

Bible study preparation will help you define what it will take from you to advance the cause of Christ through your trip. As you understand the goals of your project and step up to the challenge of your role, pray that God will give you an attitude of “whatever it takes" to obey His directions and give honor to Him.

Begin by looking at the foundational truths from the New Testament book of Matthew. Jesus taught His followers some very significant truths about His perspective on our service.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells his disciples that He will sit on His throne someday with the nations gathered before Him. He explains to us how He looks at the service we do. Read the passage and write out at least five things we can do for those in need.

What are we reminded of in verse 40?

A few chapters later, Jesus is meeting with His followers fro the last time on earth. In Matthew 28-18-20, we read the final instruction Jesus gave to all His followers. As you read Jesus’ words, write out the specific things that we are told to do.

What is the truth in verse 18 that is essential to your ability to do “whatever it takes” to share God’s love?

What does this mean for you?

Think about these two Matthew passages in relationship to your particular mission project. Write out some ways you will follow these directions.

Preparing for a Mission Trip

People go on short-term mission trips for many reasons. I have heard all sorts of reasons:
• to have an adventure
• to serve the poor
• to tell lost people about Jesus
• to build a house
• to be an encouragement
• to spend time with a friend

We all have our own personal reasons for going. God also has His reasons for wanting you to go on a mission trip. I have a core conviction that short-term mission trips are life changing for the volunteer and for those he or she goes to serve. However, I believe that positive life-change occurs in direct proportion to how prepared you are. No doubt you have a lot to do before you go, but a prepared heart should be the number one priority on your list.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting steps for preparing for a mission trip. Some lessons will help you walk into diverse surroundings with less fear and more sensitivity. You will be challenged to learn to tell your story, be a strong team member, and be a good guest. Most of all, the Holy Spirit will begin to strengthen you and build into you qualities that reflect Jesus to those you serve. Ask God to use these lessons to prepare your heart before you pack your bag.

Leadership Development Conference in Tanzania

FBCE Singles Minister, John Harris and I joined a team from North America and traveled to Tanzania in October to conduct five leadership development conferences (LDC) in partnership with e3 Partners. These conferences were conducted in five cities throughout Tanzania. Attendees of the conferences were pastors and lay leaders of local congregations who desire to plant churches in their area. The two-day conferences concentrated on teaching the leaders to use the Evangecube to share the Gospel in their community. At the end of each conference the newly-trained leaders would go out into the community and share the Gospel using the Evangecube. A total of 680 people made professions of faith in the five areas. Not only were the leaders grateful to God for what He did in Tanzania, but also they caught the vision of Matthew 28 "to go and make disciples..." after such a encouraging number of believers were added to the kingdom. Their mission now is to go back to their respective churches to train their teams to coordinate with First Baptist Euless teams in church planting campaigns in the Summer of 2008.



My first conference stop was Shinyanga. I visited Shinyanga in April of 2007 on an e3 church planting campaign so this was a return trip for me. We stayed in the same hotel on this trip. The employees remembered us and came out to welcome us with embraces. During our first trip we had made friends with a local carpenter. In the picture above I am standing in front of his shop. The shirt that I am wearing was custom made for me in one day by a local tailor.



On Sunday morning in Shinyanga, Israel and Rachel were the worship leaders at a service where I preached. Their style of worship was lively and antiphonal. A performance style in which an ensemble is divided into two groups, performing alternately.



Below the leaders are working together in small group, coming up with a strategy for evangelizing their area. They are also practicing with the Evangecube. There were 20-30 leaders at each conference. I lead this group in Bariadi. They are a very open and warm village.



From Bariadi we went to a mountain where divination of every kind was practiced many years ago. One of the pastors, Marco, has started a church in that village. He is building on these former high places for the Lord Jesus now. We had a prayer meeting on the place where the actual church building will go. Marco and his congregation have been praying for a "man of peace" who God can use to open the community to receiving the Gospel. Emmanuel, a man of influence in the village, came forward and accepted Jesus as his Savior. He expressed a desire to help Marco spread the Good News to the village. God is always working and it is always wonderful when we get to see Him work.



Downtown Bariadi doesn't have paved streets or sidewalks. It doesn't have stop signs or street lights. But it does have people that are hungry to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. FBCE will be going to Tanzania twice in 2008. On this trip six people came to lead the churches to witness for Christ and 680 people were saved. Imagine if we had 60 people go to Tanzania. Think of what God could do! Think of what God could do through you!

FBCE Trip to Ecuador

My dear wife and I went on a mission trip to Ecuador in July. We were part of a team from First Baptist Church Euless. We went to our international missionaries annual conference and did a VBS for the kids. We went down there a day early so we could get acclimated. Quito is about 9500 feet above sea level so the air is thinner! This is the view from our hotel. It was beautiful. This was taken in the morning from the top floor of Hotel Quito.

The Annual General Meeting consisted of 150 missionaries from Venezuela, Columbia and Ecuador. Our job was to teach the missionaries' kids while they were meeting, planning and experiencing corporate worship. The worship was lead by Dr. Al Meredith and a team from Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

There were eight members of FBCE on our team. We had children from ages 1 1/2 to 12 years old. The children in my class were five and six year olds. Three accepted Christ as their Savior. The theme of our VBS curriculum was a sports theme which really worked nicely in South America. They are very sports-minded and especially partial to soccer. The picture below was taken in the lobby of our hotel.


On several afternoons we were able to go sightseeing with the missionaries. We chose to go to Mitad del Mundo. This is a monument on the Equator. Lat/Long 0 degrees. The monument is actually a museum that showcases the many different people of Ecuador.



The traffic is wild here. Taxis are reasonable and everywhere it seems. Don't try to find one at rush hour though. The drivers are very nice, in fact, the people are very nice and have wonderful manners.


These are the wonderful kids we got to teach at our VBS. The kids were all really sweet and had a really great bond between them all like a close family. We were nervous the first day of how things would go and by the last day we were disappointed we had to leave them.


If you have a chance to go on a mission trip that you feel like God has called you to go on - DO IT! It is hard to leave your family for even a week but it will be worth it to be part of reaching the world.