Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

Part 7 TW STM

Filed under Taiwanby Joyful

In Taiwan I will be giving 2 evangelistic messages, in addition to some other teaching opportunities and talking to people. Those 2 messages are by far the most challenging and stressing me out.

But this week, God answered all my concerns. I am not feeling the anxiety that I felt the last few weeks. I have made great strides in my preparations and have most of my message done.

Pastor H reminded me that God has prepared me for this, He prepared me with my life story. So share my testimony and my life. That’s what I am going to do. I am not coming as a pastor to preach. My life intersecting with Jesus and the Good News is what God gave me.

Thank you God for giving me this opportunity above and beyond what I could’ve imagined. I put my confidence in you alone to speak through me, leaving the results to you.

Part 6 TW STM

Filed under Taiwanby Joyful

I said I am the Team Leader of this Taiwan STM. Technically I’m not. I’m the Mission Mentor. Semantics matter.

I’m reviewing my training book today:

“Your primary responsibility is not just to “lead a team” but to mentor those on it (and potentially those who are not) through missions discipleship.”

Read more of “Part 6 TW STM”

Part 4 TW STM

Filed under Taiwanby Joyful

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 in case you are interested)

God reminded me again that He provides for all we need.

Our Taiwan short term mission team do not have musicians – no song leader, no guitar player who can lead in worship.

One of our assignments for 4 days is to run the program for children at a missionary’s retreat. We need worship and singing!

Today, God provided with teens who will be there to lead the children with singing. And not only that, they are willing to lead games and do skits. That takes a load off of us!

This provision, though seemingly small, gives me much comfort as I’ve been anxious about this trip. It reminds me that God is in control. He has all the resources beyond what I can imagine. He calls the Body of Christ internationally to work together.

I need to pray and trust that all will be well. I am not in control and I don’t need to be. He is in control. This is a continuing lesson is my life, in the life of every Christian. We think we can take care of things. But Jesus says “blessed are the poor in spirit”. If I come to God empty, He will fill me. If I come full of myself, He cannot show me what He can do.

Thank you, God for taking charge and showing me your glory.

In the office devotion time this week, WT shared from Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

This is exactly how I think as I prepare for TW STM. We prepare lessons, messages, testimonies, games. We have a theme, we have a skit with that theme. The only thing we don’t have are songs because no one on our team is musically inclined.

We go prepared, but at the same time, we are unprepared. We don’t know who we will be meeting and talking to, and we don’t know how people will respond.

I am looking to God to accomplish immeasurably more than we ask or even imagine could happen. If not for his power on it, we are merely performing a few good deeds, making little difference in people’s lives.

I am also looking to God to grow our team on the inside. We go as selfish people, impatient and critical – that’s me. He can change us more than we can ask or imagine, so that we will be more like Jesus, to the praise of his glory.

(Start with Part 1)