How did God lead you to go?
God has been leading me for a number of years wherever I have been living and working. However this region has been in my prayers for a long time. As a chef and teacher I am able to utilise my work skills and build relationships for Christ. God very specifically brought people together and the opportunity to go was at just the right time. This short term trip has encouraged me to seek to serve Him there in long term ministry.
What did a typical week in the field look like?
It was important to get to know them as people and to love them. During each week it was essential to remain in prayer and listen to God as I met with people and discussed their needs, hopes and desires. I asked spiritual questions and met with people and interacted with the culture. It was important to learn from their lives, to know their problems and concerns and thus begin to understand their worldview and how I could serve them in love.
Share a story of your experience:
I met a man who was once homeless, jobless, an alcoholic and without hope. Now he’s leading God’s people and running a homeless shelter. I met women who had been village shamans, now they encourage and teach other women in their bible lessons. I met others desiring training to go and serve God in other places where the gospel is not known. All because people had come and shared the love of God. But I also saw that the work was not yet finished.
How has this influenced your understanding of God and mission?
Through this experience I saw what God had done and is doing, keeping his promise to the peoples of Mongolia, in Central Asia. He is reaching out to them, calling them to himself and it is a wonderful privilege to be part of his plan. I now see how he has been preparing me for His purposes, for His kingdom and not my own.