Before anything else, I want to say I went through MOT with an AMAZING group of people. Five other couples: two not new to the mission field but new to Global, and three just starting out. One couple is in Italy, one is going to India, two are headed to Ethiopia, and one is actually coming to Ecuador, but not until next year. I don’t think I could have had a better group. Everyone has been so warm and open, and amazingly hilarious! They completely took this from just a good experience to an unforgettable one.
Mission Orientation Training. Actually, it should probably be more descriptive than that. Total Missionary Brain Takeover Challenge maybe? Haha I do feel like someone opened the top of my head and poured a bucket of information in!
Global does an amazing job preparing it’s missionaries to be the best servants and warriors for God they can be. They want us to be as ready as humanly possible for what is definitely a completely life altering event, even for someone only going temporarily like me. Being a missionary means that basically every aspect of your life is going to change.
We had some of the best speakers and teachers on the planet, literally. Our main teachers were the Global staff. The staff there is unique in that all are involved in missions, and some have actually lived a great part of their life on the field. They’re intimately aware of where we’re all coming from, what we’re about to be facing, and how best to prepare ourselves for it all.
We spent time talking over everything. I mean literally, every aspect of life. Money, cultural oddities, keeping your marriage happy, warding off culture shock, legal issues, how incorporate culture into your message, dealing with the sometimes unexpectedness of life. I feel like I should get to add like a year or two to my age, at least, just from all the life lessons I’ve been privileged to acquire.
Here’s some of the jewels, my favorite things I’m taking away with me:
- From Bro. William Montgomery: Jesus is known by many names, and all those live inside you. If Jesus is your Prince of Peace, you’ll never have to lack for peace in your life. If Jesus is your Comforter, you’ll never be alone and unwanted. If Jesus is your Savior, you’ll never be lost.
- God can take our most uncomfortable moments and turn them into tools for His glory, if we're open and willing.
- On mountains: They're climbable by the grace of God, for His glory. Sometimes they you get lucky and He removes them from your path, and sometimes they need to be scaled so you can get stronger.
- Joshua 14:6-14 The Israelites send spies into Canaan, and only 2 come back saying 'We can take it.' Well, the thing is, God had already given it to them, but the others were unwilling and unable to accept the challenge and the gift.
- Before God can use you to tear down others' barriers, He has to tear down yours. Worries, anxieties best left at His feet. Accepting that you aren't the smartest person around, learning with humility and eagerness. Considering that God might actually work in a way you never had imagined or planned, and He'll make something much better than you ever though possible.
- From Bro. Brian Collins: Just hang on for the divine ride.
- From Bro. David Eldridge: You have to find contentment with the restlessness of life, with ministering out of the overflow of God's grace. This comes from an abundant, deep, prayerful relationship with Christ. 'Be still and know that I am God' is not necessarily a call for silence, but a call to reflect and truly know and realize God's sovereignty. Chill out, stop, slow down from your busy life.
Life is so busy, but Jesus is an outlet for us to have those silent, peaceful moments. Jesus led a busy, hectic life too, but He still made a habit of seeking time alone with God in a secluded, quiet place. Gardens, hillsides, sea shores. Prayer isn't all talk, but also listening and introspection and reflection.
- The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.
- Approach missions with a 'giving-living' philosophy. Whatever you sow, you reap back multiplied. You can't out give God!
- Great verses I found, Romans 12: 2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 9Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.13When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Thanks for sharing Alyssa. I remember MOT fondly.
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