Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part VI

There is one “Life’s Lesson” that I believe we have all seen and could unanimously cry out – that our God finishes what He starts.

When I was 15 years old, God brought me under conviction and I accepted Christ as my Savior. The next year, at the age of 16, God called me to serve Him with my life at a youth missions trip. I went back to high school and decided to study and serve Him. When I finished high school, I headed for college to prepare for the ministry of missions. I arrived and after hearing of the requirements, home work, classes, etc, I thought I would never be able to graduate – it would take a miracle for me to pass the courses! The years passed quickly and soon the God that called me, allowed me to finish!

I never thought I would be able to get married because I was not the best-looking nor the most talented person … but once again, the God that called me allowed me to get married! Continue reading “Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part VI”

Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part V

The fifth “Life’s Lesson” I have learned on the mission field is one that everyone knows, but one that has been an important lesson for me – learning to Love People.

Before coming to Argentina, I remember reading and studying about Argentina. I looked at videos of Argentina, read books, looked at pictures, listened to how they talked, etc. I thought I loved the people, but to be honest I think it was an emotional high without reality.

When we arrived to Argentina, I put my Argentine flag up, marked every holiday, tried to talk and act like them, etc. I wanted to be one of them. But as time passed by, I found they had in common certain characteristics such as people I knew in the United States, people I met in Peru, and everywhere else in the world….. they were just people. Although this seems so simple, it is still very complex. Continue reading “Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part V”

Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part IV

The fourth “Life’s Lesson” I have learned on the mission field is how short life is.

A few years ago I was having chest pain and my wrist was hurting. I saw a few doctors and the majority told me that they did not know the problem and it seemed to be only a pulled muscle. The pain continued and so I continued looking for help. I finally arrived to a hand doctor where they did extensive studies and eventually made an appointment to see a specialist. I remember sitting at his desk and the doctor looking at my blood work and other studies – he looked at me and said, “it looks like you have rheumatoid arthritis.” I looked at him and remember saying, “I’m 28 years old, do you mean that I am going to have to take medication every day until the day I die?” It was at that moment the reality hit me that life is short. Continue reading “Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part IV”

Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part III

The third “Life’s Lessons” I have learned on the mission field is that every person is a volunteer.

When we arrived to Argentina we started the church and between my wife and I, we divided the church – everyone from 12 and under was her category and everyone from 13 and above was in my category. I did the singing, anouncements, offering, preaching, praying, etc while my wife did the nursery, kids club, SS classes, etc. It was quite funny now that I look back. Within a short amount of time, the Lord began to send us young men and women who are today great leaders in the church. One by one, people began to volunteer to help clean, help in a class, help in the nursery, be a greeter, pray in church, be an usher, etc. I knew that the teachers and leaders were to be the examples and therefore little by little began to put rules. Time passed and the Lord had given us a good group of teachers and workers, so I thought it was time for “the list”. I sat down and wrote a list of requirements and jobs that these teachers and workers had to do in the church – after all I thought, isn’t it a privilege to be in the Lord’s work. I presented my list to a group of teachers with requirements that I now see were not so necessary. Later I had a few looks and visits to my office with statements such as, “I don’t think I can complete all these requirements”. I was shattered, all of a sudden these hard workers that the Lord had placed in the church, were possibly not going to continue – what would I do. Continue reading “Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part III”

Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part II

The second “Life’s Lessons” I would like to share is the simple fact that God will provide.

When my wife and I were on deputation, we saw the Lord provide in mysterious ways and it was obvious to us that the Lord was taking care of us. Our life’s story on deputation was a clear testimony of how God works and provides. But it seems that sometimes we see God work and then we head back off the mountain and into the valley – where we do not see God provide for another long time. The amazing thing about our God is that he has continued to provide through the entire journey – He still provides as I sit and write this entry.

I have to admit that when we preparing to come to Argentina, we were excited, but very nervous at the same time. I was not sure of the exact city or location where God wanted us, I was nervous to start from zero, etc. But probably one of the greatest events that stick out in my mind about coming to Argentina was what began years before we arrived to Argentina. My wife and I would pray on deputation and in language school that God would prepare the hearts of the Argentine people. When we finally arrived to Argentina and was living in a hotel before finding a house and church building, our prayer began to change. We began to pray that Continue reading “Life’s Lessons on the Mission Field – Part II”

Missionary Mistakes – Part XI

In my opinion, this mistake is one of the largest missionary mistakes that can be made. The Lord has been gracious to me, but sadly I believe there have been many times that I have harmed my family and the ministry. Missionary Mistake #11 concerns Teamwork in the Marriage.

We all know that marriage is one of the greatest decisions after salvation, but I would like to discuss the mistake a missionary can make while serving on the field. When God leads a man to the mission field, God leads a family to the mission field.

I have been guilty many times of running without making sure my wife is by my side. We must not forget that God joined us together and we are now a team. We married to do more for God together than we could individually. How many times I could have been saved from headaches and heart aches if I would have only talked things over with my wife. Of course God has placed me as the head of the family, but don’t forget that we are a team as well. If I would have listened when my wife told me that someone had wrong intentions, that a certain person was not truthful, a certain idea was not wise, etc … I could have saved myself from many heart aches. Things that have been stolen, people that have hurt us, ideas that were not wise and much more could have been avoided if I would only have worked as a team and not a one-man player. Continue reading “Missionary Mistakes – Part XI”

Missionary Mistakes – Part X

As I write this mistake, I see how this is more of a daily mistake instead of a once-in-a-while, ministerial mistake. Missionary Mistake #10 concerns Criticism.

As with the rest of the mistakes, this is something that is very hard for me. Whether it comes from church people, friends, other missionaries, or even people who have left our ministry … it all still hurts. The fact is that we will all be criticized in different areas of our lives. Therefore the question lies more in how should I react when I’m criticized instead of if I am criticized.

I have preached on the subject of what to do when criticized, but it always still hurts when I personally receive the criticism. Why would someone criticize me? What are they trying to prove? Do they not realize how hard it hurts? These are a few of the questions that run through my mind when I am receiving criticism. But as a missionary, I must realize a few general facts. Continue reading “Missionary Mistakes – Part X”

Missionary Mistakes – Part IX

Missionary Mistakes #9 is a common problem seen amongst many missionaries. I both want to say thank the Lord for what He has taught me, along with a caution to all to not make this mistake. This Missionary Mistake concerns Preparation.

To be a missionary, there are many important steps to take. Without going into depth, I would like to mention some of those areas where we cannot afford to take the step without preparation.

Language

If you go to a non-speaking English country, it is of upmost importance to learn the language of the people. A missionary that can not speak the language of the people will have many disadvantages as well as hindrances in his ministry. We all want to jump in and begin preaching, but if we do not take the discipline of going to language school, we may never be accepted by the people or possibly never be used as greatly for our Lord. We must not be fooled by the idea that everyone knows “some” English. Continue reading “Missionary Mistakes – Part IX”