Since going to Northern Ireland, I have had my concept of missions challenged. On most missions trips, you go and build something, lead a crusade, serve the poor, handout medical supplies, work with kids in an orphanage or so some other tangible work. While in Northern Ireland we did tangible work by ministering in the schools, streets and community. But this did not seem to be the main reason why we went. The lasting legacy of our short stay seems more subtle. It's not a building or the names of ten people who we led to know Jesus. While there are nothing wrong with these things, I came to discover that missions can take many forms. Sometimes the objectives are hard to quantify or describe for a report back to friends. If you can't sum up your expereinces in a short three minute presentation complete with slide show, did you really do missions? I think the answer can definitely be, "Yes!"
The most significant thing from the mission to Northern Ireland was the bridge built between Christians from three distinct countries - Northern Ireland, France and the United States. As we stayed with host families, we discovered how big the family of God really is. Personally, I felt like I found a second family with Jon, Bev and Tuesday Howe. There was a deep, almost instantaneous connection.
My expereince showed me the power of unity through Christ's work. We encouraged each other and shared stories that will not easily be forgotten. Instead of going to do missions together, we shared our lives. This involved outreach, service, prayer, fellowship, worship and play.
The U.S. team worked with the French team, which made a statement to the world just by bringing people from these two countries together. We learned from each other. Hopefully, the U.S. team helped the French believers become more accustomed to outreach. Some of them tended to be more reserved and less accustomd to evangelism. And the French taught the Americans how to listen, navigate a new culture and how to work together as a team. I simply enjoyed their enthusiasm and zeal.
The Irish people were very hospitable. They loved life and new how to enjoy the moment. I left Ireland with a greater sense of how to be free and to enjoy the liberty that I have in Jesus.
People asked me what we did in Northern Ireland? At times, I have struggled to give them a concrete answer. For me, this trip was more about casual conversations at odd times about deep subjects than it was street preaching, working in schools or producing tangible missions results. Is living as a witness among men enough? Or do we have to come back with a number of converted souls notched on our belt?
I have never ever felt a call to be a missionary. But I believe it is my duty and joy to be a witness of God's love, grace and mercy. And I should do this wherever I go. Some day, God may call me to the farthest reaches of the earth. Today, He has led me to live in Virginia. The location doesn't really matter because my lifestyle as a witness should be the same.
Being a good friend. Being a honest and hard working person. Looking for hurting people to help. Inviting a lonely person to belong to a group of loving people. These are the missionionary activities that can bear the most fruit.
In The Road to Daybreak, Henri Nouwen wrote about his experiences in France living at center for disabled people. After a year, at the facility, He wrote, " Sometimes I felt guilty about spending so little time doing things and so much time just talking. But now, I know that many of the bonds that have been formed have created a mysterious network of affection that will allow me not only to speak with new vigor about God's first love, but also to act more simply, directly, and unambiguously in the service of Jesus, whose mission was to reveal that first love to us."
Nouwen discoverd that the gift of friendship can be one of the greatest things we ever do in ministry and life. I saw this truth become a reality in Northern Ireland. I don't think that I will ever look at missions the same way ever again.
