 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Free
Methodist World Missions Stories [Click on the "Missions" link above to enter FMWM's web site.] [Click here to go directly to Free Methodist World Mission People Magazine online!] |
||||
Reflections
of Asia IMPACT Teams (Intentional Missions Preparation for Collegians and Teens) are comprised of young people from North America with a high level of commitment, spiritual maturity and a strong desire to serve and learn. The VISA Ministries office hopes to identify young FMs interested in missions who may not have overseas opportunities with their church or conference. Team members meet for several days of orientation and team building before participating in overseas ministry. 
Fragrant Harbor … you may know it better as Hong Kong. It's where seven American students spent two weeks this past August. It's where 13 Chinese students gave their lives to Christ. It's where new perspectives were gained, friendships were made, and faith was strengthened. Praise the Lord for His work through the IMPACT Team He brought together! This particular team had been scheduled for last year, but due to the outbreak of SARS, had to be postponed. As we compared stories, it was amazing how God had orchestrated the gathering of our team. In all, we had 13 people:
Clint, Sarah and Madeline Baldwin, Wilmore, KY; Carolyn and Meredith
Bazzoli, St. Charles, IL; Brice and Celeste Carlson, Indianapolis, IN;
Priscilla Hui, Battle Creek, MI/Hong Kong; Ben Jones, San Jose, CA; Brett
Reichert, Detroit, MI; Lee Wiley, New Middletown, OH; and me, Andrew Spangler.
God has blessed me with the opportunity to travel to Asia three times, and I'd like to share a few of the lessons He has taught me through those experiences. The first time I went to Asia, the thing that really grabbed me was how little the people had, yet how happy and joyful they were. I talked to my Dad about it and learned a little word called "materialism." It's this strange reoccurring disease I keep getting. But, as I draw closer to God, He helps me battle against it and be grateful for the things I have.
God has also taught me to be more thoughtful of my prayer content. I am often tempted to rattle off a "scripted" prayer, instead of actually thinking of the One to whom I am praying. Two passages that have helped me keep this perspective are:
As I continue to seek God and hunger after His ways, He shows me things I need to work on. It's incredible to experience God "speaking" directly to your heart as a result of a mission experience. The very act of leaving your comfort zone with a willing and moldable heart allows God to speak to you in ways that may not be possible in day-to-day life. I would strongly encourage every believer to consider going on a short-term mission trip. I guarantee that you will be changed and your relationship with the Father will grow in ways you never imagined.  *Editor's
Note: Andrew
Spangler, a home-schooled junior, has visited India, Taiwan, Hong Kong and
the Philippines. He lives in Indianapolis, IN, and is the son of Eric and
Virginia Spangler. |
|
|||
Another
thing God has taught me is to be bold about my faith. I met one Asian
pastor who had spent over 20 years in prison for his faith, and I met
an Indian pastor who had been stripped and beaten by radical Hindus. Both
of these men encouraged me to be bold and share my faith, and reminded
me that there is no privilege like suffering for Jesus' name. I've tried
to take that to heart, and I have been able to share my testimony several
times with people who don't know Him.