Today I have the privilege of allowing Chad Brandt to share his heart with you all. This is a young man I am most impressed with. His heart for God and God's church is humbling and inspiring. But enough from me! Hear from Chad:
My journey thus far had been beyond words. I'm filled with certain emotions that I can't categorize as either grief or joy. Believe me there is plenty of love, grief, and joy to go around in Nicaragua. As I'm on a journey with my teammates and with God I realize Nicaragua is only the tip of an iceberg.
On trips such as this one may get caught up in the poverty and deterioration of humanity. Though it's beneficial to see these things we cannot dwell on them nor try to fix all of them as I often find myself doing. The only thing we can do is pray that God's Will will be done, whether it's through us or the groups that follow. I've learned on this trip that it's not us that fulfill God's Will, but rather God in us. God does not need us, He can add to his own number of followers. Despite this hard to grasp fact, He chooses to allow to let Him use us.
I no longer want to use the term "missions trip" because an experience like this has a much deeper impact in the team's lives than the phrase "missions trip" allows. Although there is certainly work of God's mission done, there is too much individual-growth to be overlooked.
As I write this I don't mean to sound self-centered or cocky. But if someone goes on a trip like this how can he share the word of Christ if he is not growing himself. With this knowledge I view the term "mission trip" as one-sided.
Another subject I've grasped on this trip is that I must let go of my plans and my words and let the Holy Spirit guide them. Personally, I tend to feel that I have to dress up my faith to make it appealing to others. But God is all too quick to tear the makeup and fabrications down. If you grasp any of my words here, my wish is that these would be them: always rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you through your everyday thoughts and decisions. Doing this you will draw yourself and others closer to God.
For those of you that have loved ones on this journey know that along with me they are truly blessed to be on a team with such strong believers grounded in the faith. God could not have put together a stronger team in my mind.
Chad it was my privilege to be able to read your story. Mission trips are certainly as much about those who go as those you go for. God works is all during a trip like the one you are on. He wants you all to see His hand in every detail. I do not attend your church but a friend's daughter is on that trip and I mentioned to her that she will come home changed forever. It sounds like God is working in all of you in order to change and use you throughout your life. I pray for your team every morning since you left and I look forward to more reports of God's glory and work in and through your lives. Thanks for your encouraging words of faith!
ReplyDeleteMuch love and care for you all, Kathy Challis
I have been praying for you and the team every day: For strength and courage for the needs of the day and that hearts and minds would be changed. God's plan will unfold with or without us, but, it's awesome to see what happens when one stands up in faith and says, "I will go. Send me Lord"! May the Lord continue to bless and keep you as you and your friends follow Him on your Grand Nicaraguan Adventure. :-) And, may the Lord bless and keep the people of Nicaragua. (Thank you for sharing! What an inspiration! ) God bless, Celia Ferdiny
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