Shannon’s Mission Trip

About a year ago I felt God calling me to go to South Asia on a mission trip.  I attempted to go in September but got called back by our missions office at church due to safety concerns.  That was so hard after planning for months to go somewhere especially when God had made it evident that I was to go.  But it worked out for the best. (Doesn’t it always?)

So a few weeks ago I had another chance, and things were a little crazy for Laurie and me!  I left on Friday, March 1st.  It took 26 hours of flying to get to our destination.  The weather was so amazing–mid 80’s.  The purpose of our trip was to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) and puppet ministry at a school in the area for 3 days.  Then we went to another city and attended a seminar where my team members and I taught.

There were many things on the trip that showed me just how truly blessed we are, one being our bathrooms!  Oh my, the bathrooms over there were a challenge for me to get used to.  But we have to sign a “release of rights” form when we leave saying the trip is not about us.  I had to remind myself of it many times. As I was teaching ESL the kids asked what my job was.  How do you answer that you’re an assistant for a coupon blog?  After trying to explain it I just said, “I work on the computer”.  They seemed satisfied with that answer.

After school was over we went out to play with the kids.  We played “Duck, Duck, Goose”, “Four Corners”, and “Freeze”.  Then we tossed a tennis ball for hours with the kids.  The tennis balls were such a hit that the next two days that is all we did (my arms are so buff now).  Every kid in the neighborhood came and played.  It was humbling to see all these kids who do not have much and knowing how I have so much.  I kept thinking I am not worthy.

One night we got to go to the local market.  Everyone knows that I like to shop—A LOT!  So when I hit the market I was in withdrawal mode and went a little crazy—well, a lot crazy!  But as I was looking around, I realized they just didn’t have deals like we do.  I thought it was hilarious that even in other countries Spam makes it on the shelves!  But it also made me realize how thankful I am for my coupons and nice clean grocery stores!

We then went to another village.  In this village the people had nothing.  I mean nothing.  The houses did not have indoor plumbing to the point that everyone in the village goes to the local shower area to take showers.  WOW!  They grow their own food.  There was not a local market there.

I learned a lot on my trip.  I learned how blessed I am to live in a country that we have the freedom to worship our God.  I also learned how spoiled I am that I can go to the grocery store to get chicken that is already prepared for me and vegetables that are already picked for me.  Not to mention that we have air conditioning, indoor plumbing, hot showers, and more!

I want to encourage all PPP readers to please pray about going a mission trip.  As crazy as all of this sounds, it was an amazing time.  Going to other countries is such a hit of reality.  You see how most people live and that we are such an exception.  Seeing the kids and their faces of excitement when you play with them made me feel guilty that I don’t play with my daughters enough.

 

I saw the beauty of simplicity in their lifestyles and how it made them happy even though they didn’t have a clue of the stuff they are “missing”.  After coming home from each mission trip I have been on, God changes me.  He showed me how important it is to rely on Him in the hard times.  He also showed me how grateful I am to live in a country that we have so many opportunities–like working on the computer for my job!