GCI Training in IndoChina
In May this year, a team of five trainers from Singapore and Malaysia went to a Restricted Access Nation in IndoChina for a GCI training for close to 60 local pastors and leaders. Below is his report:
An Adventure 'Down There'
 Every mission trip brings adventure and unexpected turns. I was invited by Asian Outreach-Great Commission Institute to be one of the guest teachers to a Restricted Access Nation (For security reasons, we will refer to this nation as 'Down There') in May 2005. Besides me, there are 2 other pastors from Malaysia and 2 co-workers from GCI. The team was there to train the local pastors/leaders at 'Down There'. Being a first-timer to GCI work plus first visit to 'Down There', I did not have any slightest idea what was installed for me.
Before deciding whether to embark on the trip or not, there were a few factors I had to consider. First of all, there was the on-going Bird Flu at 'Down There'. SARS was already a good enough scare for the world, and though Bird Flu isn't as serious, I still had some apprehensions in me. Secondly, the thought of 'house-church' settings frightened me too. What if I am caught in these 'secret' meetings? What if I am being interrogated by the authorities? What if? However, my doubts and fears were cleared when the GCI co-worker who coordinated the trip quoted the words of Hudson Taylor:
"Unless there's an element of risk in your exploits for God, there is no need for faith."
She said, "Bird flu or no bird flu, the local pastors/leaders still need to be trained so that the lost will hear the Gospel. Whether we are conducting in Open churches or House churches, God's work still needs to be done." With the admonishment, I booked my flight and went 'Down There'.
The team had to teach 4 different classes at 4 different locations running concurrently for 5 full-days. The youngest student is 18yrs old and the oldest is 60 yrs old. We had a total of 58 students who were trained in the trip. Initially, I was all ready to bring my power point slides but was told to use the basic facilities available there - a white board and paper and a marker. I was even willing to bring down my personal LCD projector, but I was told not to. Wow... it was really difficult for me who is used to hi-tech facilities in Singapore to go down to simply basic.
I would begin the day at 7.15 am traveling on a motorbike to reach my destination. The place was small. Despite the space constraint, the students were truly hungry for God and His word. They also would just sing their hearts out. Their fire for God was just truly amazing. It did not bother them that the house was simple and small!!! They sang and prayed expressively to God. Their eagerness to learn was astonishing. I was taken by surprise when they could recite memory verses at their finger tips. Besides teaching the local pastors/leaders the word of God, the team also had to go for 'home' night visitations - these visits were to encourage new believers who were gathered in home-settings.
Having heard a few of their testimonies and how they came to the Lord made me realized that they have gone through a whole lot more than me or anyone will have to go through. They face trials and troubles when they choose to receive Jesus and to share the Gospel. It isn't like in Singapore where one can go to church, accept Christ and be a Christian and witness openly. There are many trials they have to face when they want to stand for their faith. Though the challenges they face may seem never ending, there are many pockets of Christians everywhere that are willing to go back to their villages to plant churches and share the word of the Lord.
Although it took awhile for me to adapt to the culture, their love and fire for the Lord is indeed remarkable. I had learnt a few precious lessons from this mission trip. First this mission trip is really a test of my faith in the Lord and it challenges me whether I am willing to take risk and trust our Heavenly Father. Another fruitful lesson would be to be concerned with what really matters: - Things with eternal value. We do not need a posh and elaborate worship hall to worship God, true worship comes from a heart that is broken and contrite before the Lord. The simplicity and poverty of the locals teach us to be contented with what we have and to give thanks to God always. Third is to be a blessing to others. Singapore is blessed with many training resources. We should make full use of these resources to bless those who do not have. Personally, this trip has reminded me to focus life at the eternal perspective. I would say that this mission experience is truly irreplaceable as compared to the usual holidays that I took.
So, my challenge for you today is to get out of your comfort zone and be on fire for missions. So what if you have to give up a few days of annual leave and not to mention a few hundred dollars for the air ticket. One has to be there to truly experience what a mission trip entails and to see God's Hand at work outside Singapore!!! And you and I have the responsibility to exalt the name of the ONLY one God among all the nations.
If you want to give a love-gift for the work of GCI or to find out more about GCI work, you can visit the website at:
http://www.gcinetwork.org
Jim P
A Mission Partner Church in Singapore
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