My top 5 mission field fails.

1. Thinking to much! I overthought every interaction. Wondering if I’d said too much or too little. My friends advice? Trust your God given discernment.
2. Making the mission field about me. There was one moment where I could not get one person to stop and talk. Discouragement sat in my chest like a case of bronchitis. I made the moment about me. I had to stop, set my eyes back on the Father, and walk in my confidence in Him.
3. Take names for prayer follow-up. After the trip, I felt led to pray for everyone I interacted with. Felt pretty bad that I didn’t keep a record of their names. Yes, God knows their name and there’s confidence in that. Still wish I’d remembered more names though because praying for the dude, that was sitting on the bench that time, seemed impersonal.
4. Not being in shape. 5 days into the trip I felt it. I was exhausted! It wasn’t just a physical exhaustion. I was mentally and spiritually feeling the effects of the journey. I’d take time to prepare for that next time around.
5. Gauging my own success. I wanted to know that I made a difference. Part of that is looking at how success was measured. What did we tell people about the trip? One of the things was the number of people who’d gave their life to Christ. Well, no one gave their life to Christ on my watch. I judged myself as being ineffective. The impression the Holy Spirit gave me as I began to wallow was the total opposite. Things were happening in the spirit that I was not privy to but when I caught a hint of the work that was being done, it all became clear and very encouraging. In that moment I learned that by making yourself available and committing to the work and training, that none of your efforts go to waste. God uses it all for the good. The bottom line is, He gets the success, it’s all for His glory.

I really hope my transparency helps you in your faith journey! Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for sharing in this with me by reading!