The Big Three

With the departure date quickly approaching, we had a visitor from DELTA Ministries come and train us for the mission field. Being only 17 (almost 18!), the last thing I wanted to do with my weekend was sit around with a bunch of super-enthusiastic "mentors" and talk about something I didn't feel prepared for. But wasn't that the point of this whole thing? Preparation?

We began by beginning a half hour late. Oh joy... And then quickly learned the three rules that we were to follow on the trip: No complaining, Do everything you're asked, and Leave everyplace cleaner than you found it. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. 

Philippians 2:14-15 says, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourself to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world." That's where the no complaining thing comes in. There is no way we can show God's love if we are always complaining about the task at hand. 

We also learned that there are different types of complaining, all of them a big no-no. Blatant and sarcastic complaining and complaining with our body language are the culprits to watch out for. If we are to serve in El Salvador, we have to show them our willingness to be a light in the darkness so "that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11).

The second rule, do everything we're asked, comes from Hebrews 13:17 which says, "Obey your leaders and submit to the, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." We're going to be in another culture, a different way of life. As stubborn Americans it's hard to think that others might know a little more than you do. Do what you're asked, even if it doesn't make sense at the time. 

Leave everyplace cleaner than you found it. Isn't that obvious? We came to serve! If we're leaving a mess we're no good to anyone. Remember the clean up song? "Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share. Clean up, clean up everybody everywhere." Such childlike faith can move a mountain.