Completed my Go Extra Mile 2012
organized by OMP. Here
are some personal lessons I have picked up from the trip:
Spiritual Calling: Isaiah
6:8 proclaims, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?
And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Now I will
seriously pray and think twice before I boldly declare to others that I want to
be a missionary after I have seen the amount of physical, emotional, mental,
social and spiritual costs that need to be paid. If it is God’s will (which I
will gladly surrender and obey the call), I want the LORD Jesus Christ to prepare
and send me to the frontline of the mission field to seek and save the Lost
Sheep.
Spiritual Contentment: Philippians 4:11-13 says, “I am not
saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I
can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Time with King/Kingdom: I used to presume that missionaries
can and will easily have extended and quality time with God every day since
their career is to serve God full-time. However, I realised it is very easy and
dangerous to be caught up with the work of the kingdom and have little or no
time for the King himself. Truth #1: Our ministries do not compensate
for our daily, personal and intimate walk with the LORD.
Master/Mission/Mate: Through Go Extra Mile 2012, God has shown
me the reality and price that I must be ready to pay to cross the globe to
reach the Lost Sheep. Therefore, I need to prayerfully find a Proverbs 31
woman who has a heart for missions. She must be prepared to give up
everything (Luke 9:23 + Luke 14:26), to live simply and to allow me to lead the
household as I follow Jesus closely.
Servant Leadership: Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as
a ransom for many.” God has impressed upon my heart on many occasions to serve
my teammates and the Lost Sheep in Alfonso Lista. I now understand the need and
rejoice in sacrificing my own hygiene, energy and time to serve others
by giving up my seat to the elderly, unclogging the trench, washing the dishes,
sweeping the floor, picking up the litters, carrying heavy bags, refilling
their water bottles etc.
Prayer and Mission Alliance: Need to start
supporting both local and foreign missionaries consistently in terms of prayer,
encouragement and financial coverage.
Tactical Revolution: Start taking initiative in learning
and mastering survival/tangible tools like first-aiding, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR), driving a car/lorry/motorbike, marketing, cooking,
tent-pitching, plumbering, memorising of Christian chords and lyrics, tuning
and playing of guitar/drums/bag pipes etc.
Operationally-Ready Disciple (O.R.D): Be always ready
to share the gospel (1 Peter 3:15) and preach the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:2).
If I cannot even do these confidently in my home country, how can I expect
myself to practice them in a foreign land (where furthermore, interpretation
would be required)?