Hello fellow IVers! Last week we had 3 member of our UNM chapter share their experiences of going to China on one of InterVarsity's global projects. Meri, Carlos and Steven went to China this past summer and opened up to us about their struggles and victories in going.
Steven started us off, Meri batted next, and Carlos hit both runners in. Steven highlighted the benefits that befriending internationals can bring. Relationships are a two-way street, and as Steven gave, he also received blessings and friendship in return. The Chinese students were very hospitable towards Steven - making sure his every need was met and even buying him a water bottle when playing pick-up basketball. Growing up myself half-Indian and half-American, I can confirm that hospitality plays a big part in Asian culture. Sometimes it became a hospitality war between the relatives as to who could show the greater hospitality. Although we go on mission trips to give and serve, those who are served want to give back. It is good to receive the blessings the people want to give us so that they too can be blessed through giving.
Meri's journey to China started way before going to China. She made every excuse she could to not go. No experience in fund raising, other people are better, and a host of other excuses still didn't measure up to God's desire for Meri to go to China. You see, we can all make these same excuses for the things God wants us to do in our lives. The reality is that what God wants of us is going to turn out far better than any result we can fathom from us not going - wherever the going takes us. God might be calling you to the dorms, your family, your friend, a new group of internationals on campus whose culture you don't know - fill in the blank. Take a leap of faith...those that have gone where God has called them can tell you that the blessing of obedience resulted in many other blessing including those felt deeply in the heart from God's presence.
Carlos' testimony underscores a point that I hope we didn't miss. We do not have to be perfect to go. Carlos was struggling with his very relationship with God when he went. Traveling overseas is a big deal. There is a lot of commitment put into going over seas. You have to get a passport which involves getting your photo taken and sending in paper work with a fee to US government. You have to prepare mentally for a long plane ride that can last 18-36 hours and air plane food. When you get to the other country, you can't just go home! You have to watch your wallet...safety is very relevant. I went overseas a bunch as a kid with my family, and the biggest thing we watched out for was our wallet. It can be scary, but to see how God led Carlos to China despite his own personally feelings with all the larger logistics of going is truly a testimony to God's faithfulness and power. It was in China that Carlos received support from his fellow brothers as he opened up to them about his struggles. Not all of us can go to China, but wherever we go whether Chapter camp, IV retreats or even to small groups at IV or from church, are we willing to let others minister to us? Are we willing to follow God no matter how we feel? We do not have to be perfect. The time God wants to use you may be in the middle of your greatest struggles with your weaknesses glaring in your face. (See 2 Corinthians 12:9)
Whether you jump at the opportunity to go or you put up the wall of excuses, go if God is calling you. Go where God is calling. Be obedient to God and never look back.
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