Comments on: Preparing for a Mission Team http://trevinwax.com/2008/05/16/preparing-for-a-mission-trip/ Living on Earth as Citizens of Heaven Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:30:10 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ray Andersonhttp://trevinwax.com/2008/05/16/preparing-for-a-mission-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-2121 Ray Anderson Fri, 16 May 2008 21:59:26 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/?p=1309#comment-2121 This reminds me of the time I went on a short-term (six weeks) mission trip to Latvia with a camping ministry. It was the summer of 1995. I thought I was alone, because my translator was late catching up with me. During those first days I began to doubt if I was where God really wanted me to be. I had no idea where my translator was or even if he would actually be there. I could not communicate effectively with a single person. By the second day I was really doubtful about the success of the mission - I was to lead Bible studies in a series of youth camps over the summer, and that could not happen without a translator. I even began to think of how I might get back to the airport in Riga and come back home. It was really weird and quite stressful. In the late afternoon on that second evening while I was still contemplating all these things, I heard some children singing on the other side of the little forest where our camp was located. They were walking back to the camp from the shore of the Baltic Sea through the small forest singing. As they drew closer, I began to notice a few English words in their song. At last they were close enough that I could hear them more clearly and to my amazement they were singing in almost perfect English "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus." I hadn't asked God for a sign, but when they sang "... no turning back, no turning back ..." that was as clear a sign from God as I have ever experienced.By God's grace about 100 young people across the Republic of Latvia were saved during that six weeks and I am so glad that God let me witness His glorious work in that place.Problems? Absolutely. But when they arose, that little song just replayed in my mind -- no turning back, no turning back.I would give almost anything to go back. I truly enjoy reading about your work in Romainia.Thanks! This reminds me of the time I went on a short-term (six weeks) mission trip to Latvia with a camping ministry. It was the summer of 1995. I thought I was alone, because my translator was late catching up with me. During those first days I began to doubt if I was where God really wanted me to be. I had no idea where my translator was or even if he would actually be there. I could not communicate effectively with a single person. By the second day I was really doubtful about the success of the mission – I was to lead Bible studies in a series of youth camps over the summer, and that could not happen without a translator. I even began to think of how I might get back to the airport in Riga and come back home. It was really weird and quite stressful. In the late afternoon on that second evening while I was still contemplating all these things, I heard some children singing on the other side of the little forest where our camp was located. They were walking back to the camp from the shore of the Baltic Sea through the small forest singing. As they drew closer, I began to notice a few English words in their song. At last they were close enough that I could hear them more clearly and to my amazement they were singing in almost perfect English “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.” I hadn’t asked God for a sign, but when they sang “… no turning back, no turning back …” that was as clear a sign from God as I have ever experienced.

By God’s grace about 100 young people across the Republic of Latvia were saved during that six weeks and I am so glad that God let me witness His glorious work in that place.

Problems? Absolutely. But when they arose, that little song just replayed in my mind — no turning back, no turning back.

I would give almost anything to go back. I truly enjoy reading about your work in Romainia.

Thanks!

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