Anxious About the "Unknowns"

When I read about the mission trip to Haiti in my church bulletin, I thought, "Oh, maybe I could be of some help." I became anxious about the "unknowns." But then, I started reading my OMS Missions Journal, and I was blessed with great assurance from God's Word: "Cast all your anxiety on Him;" "Trust in the Lord;" "So do not fear, for I am with you." All concerns eased into comfort and joy!

On this trip, I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone. Danni DeMerchant reminded us on the first day that if we became hesitant or anxious, to remember that we are merely the instrument of God. On the day we evangelized and gave out the 4VEH solar radios, I could not believe that I was about to share the Gospel with a total stranger. I knew that so many people were praying for us as we walked the streets of this rural community – our fellow team members, Haitians from the nearby church, and our prayer warriors back home. "Thank you God for the strength to step out and proclaim your Word." And what a ministry – solar radios! Not only would the Haitians be able to listen to the broadcasts of the Christian station, but the New Testament was also on the radio! And what an attention getter! Children started following us from house to house to see what was happening!

I was especially interested in the Cowman School and the ESL classes, having been a middle school Math teacher and 1st grade Sunday School teacher. I was able to assist in a pre-K class and had lunch with some vivacious five year olds, grade some math papers, and observe a fifth grade math class. I participated in three ESL classes taught on the OMS campus. One of the students, who was also a pastor, told me that he wanted to learn English better so that when he visited his friends in Florida, he could tell them about Jesus! Now that's sharing the Gospel! All of these experiences allowed me to understand the incredible outreach of OMS.

After participating in all these activities plus daily Bible studies and listening to the different missionaries' testimonies each night, I felt a greater desire to step up and out in serving and glorifying my Lord. Therefore, I plan to make more commitments to work with the Children's Ministry in my church, volunteer with Samaritan's Purse in their Operation Christmas Child, study my Bible, and keep my focus on Jesus to store up treasures with eternal, not earthly values.

It makes me re-examine why I do everything that I do and for whose glory. This will be an ongoing process as I try to be more in-tune to fulfilling God's purpose for my life.