When I was just a teenager, I went to England to study. One
semester, I called my parents and told them I was going to Eastern
Europe to help people. I didn't really know what that meant then, but I
knew God was calling me to go. My parents were horrified. Eastern Europe
at the time was really in chaos, as communist regimes were falling down
and new democracies were being built.
I would like to tell you my time there was easy and pretty. It wasn't. I arrived and went to work in one of the state-run orphanages. What I saw there broke my heart - babies were completely ignored and unloved. The facilities were worse than anything I had ever seen. The smell... oh, the smells were so terrible. But in that mess of a place, surrounded by children whom God loved when nobody else did, God whispered in my ear. He said, "I've called you to this work. These are My children. Help them."
My story is a long one that I will tell at another time. To make a long story short, God gave me my purpose for life on that trip. Now, 20 years into this work of serving orphans, I look back on my time in Eastern Europe and think about when God whispered in my ear and gave me my life's purpose.
As you prepare for your short-term mission trip, I want to encourage you to use your time of service as a time to listen to God and be open to His calling on your life. What you will see on your trip will open your eyes to a world in need - a world separated from God. Don't let what you see just pass you by. Hold on to the memories, lift them up to God, and ask Him to show you His purpose for your life.
While you are there, make sure you set aside personal time to do the following:
• Pray
• Listen to God
• Reflect on His calling on your life
Always remember that God has a plan for you. He created you to do great things for Him even before you were born (Ephesians 2:10). Go and enjoy your mission, and ask God to show you His purpose as you serve those in need, hug baby orphans, build structures for missionaries, all while you are sharing the Good News.
I would like to tell you my time there was easy and pretty. It wasn't. I arrived and went to work in one of the state-run orphanages. What I saw there broke my heart - babies were completely ignored and unloved. The facilities were worse than anything I had ever seen. The smell... oh, the smells were so terrible. But in that mess of a place, surrounded by children whom God loved when nobody else did, God whispered in my ear. He said, "I've called you to this work. These are My children. Help them."
My story is a long one that I will tell at another time. To make a long story short, God gave me my purpose for life on that trip. Now, 20 years into this work of serving orphans, I look back on my time in Eastern Europe and think about when God whispered in my ear and gave me my life's purpose.
As you prepare for your short-term mission trip, I want to encourage you to use your time of service as a time to listen to God and be open to His calling on your life. What you will see on your trip will open your eyes to a world in need - a world separated from God. Don't let what you see just pass you by. Hold on to the memories, lift them up to God, and ask Him to show you His purpose for your life.
While you are there, make sure you set aside personal time to do the following:
• Pray
• Listen to God
• Reflect on His calling on your life
Always remember that God has a plan for you. He created you to do great things for Him even before you were born (Ephesians 2:10). Go and enjoy your mission, and ask God to show you His purpose as you serve those in need, hug baby orphans, build structures for missionaries, all while you are sharing the Good News.
Forever Changed International provides special mission trip opportunities to travel to Guatemala City and serve the orphans at Dorie's Promise and do social justice work with the poor and hurting in the city. You can find out more about Heather's work and the opportunities to serve the children at Dorie's Promise by visiting http://www.ForeverChangedInternational.org
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