Its the second week of training, and although my brain is about to explode, I have been so BLESSED to be a part of a community focused on serving children overseas and giving me the tools to do so with dignity and effectiveness. I have been exploring the "TCK" or Third Culture Kid- a child who is from one country yet lives in another, has identity in both, yet not fuly either. This refers to missionary kids, immigrants, children of diplomats etc.
But most of all, God has been speaking and preparing my heart to live and work overseas. I know this may seem like a shocker to most people who know how much I have traveled and how much I love culture, but I will always be a learner!
God has a sense of humor, and I mean that in the ironic way. Before leaving for training, I decided to pack one of my books from Urbana (the conference I went to in December) and take it along just in case I had some time to read. The book is called "Simple Spirituality" by Christopher L. Heuertz and although it is not one of the classics of Christian literature, I decided to glean from the words of a man dedicated to living life among the poor around the world.
The first of the disciplines was Humility. In general, this is something I understand in concept, but if I were to really examine my life, I would not call myself humble. I take pride in my achievements, and tend to bask in the praise of others toward me, rather than seek God in the praise. I tend to down play the words with responses of "humility" but I know my heart and true attitude- therefor kid myself with an attitude of false humility. The book hit this hard within the first paragraph of the first chapter and immediately I was convicted. I continued reading and was spoken to about the power of God and that for me to really be humble, I must first know God. Not just know about God, but intimately know my creator. Upon my understanding of God and the sacrifice of His son, humility would be a natural form of worship.
Well, the part of humor comes on the first day of training when we were discussing entering a new culture and what it takes. The most important thing: humility. Of course! As I had been wrestling inwardly with the conviction to know God more in order to be pulled into a state of true humility, I would see the immediate outcomes of a life of humbleness through working in a new culture with people I dont understand. God had planted seeds in my mind in order to begin to teach me and allow me to be open to what it is He is doing.
The second part of this is in Chapter 2-Community. This is an understanding of the church I have been exposed to and begun to understand over the past two years. The essential element that God created us to be a body and in relationship with each other is not only a good model, but what He intended. As a North American I thrive and strive for independence and the understanding that I NEED others to be complete is a struggle to comprehend and even more challenging visualize.
In today's session, we spent some time on "body building" focusing on things that will help us have a healthy community where ever we move. We focused on the basic skills of Engage, Empathize and Encourage. All three of these seem elementary in the Christian walk, yet are crucial to having a healthy community.
We need to be intentional in finding a community-not just with believers-but with everyone we encounter. As I move to Mali, my temptation will be to surround myself with the Americans and English speakers. I have to remind myself of why God has sent me to Mali and intentionally reach out to the Malians I encounter.
As brothers and sisters, we are also to live a life of empathy towards others. Not superficial help, but truly hurt with those who are hurting and rejoice with those rejoicing. Life in another country can be exciting and new, yet it is found to lonely and isolating at times. Also, spiritual warfare is real: trails come when the devil is threatened. While following the direction and movement of God, trials, struggles and hardships come and I need to be aware of and compassionate towards my family.
Most of all I need to keep a spirit of encouragement. Life is hard-we live in a broken world. As I work with children, teachers, families and Malians, I need to encourage and support those around me. At the same time, I need encouragement from others! Its a two way street, a dependency. But most of all, I need to be in the Word, seeking the Lord through prayer, and available to listen to and learn from the voice of God.
Life is a never ending lesson. God is constantly molding me; making me more like Him. There are spurts and dry spells- yet I am confident that when I am open to what He is saying, and choose Him over anything else, my life may be a blessing to Him and those around me.
