Jan 24, 2024 Mission Accomplished

“Coming to Cambodia made me see how big the challenges are,” said Victoria, reflecting on her first international mission trip. “And obviously, we can’t solve all their problems, but I believe what we’ve done has been meaningful. The seeds have been planted, so you never know how they’ll grow… There are a lot of systemic barriers for Cambodians. It’s a lot of work, so much so that it’s not just like one simple fix.”

Feeling daunted by the challenges can be difficult for many mission trip team members, especially when they visit cultures so drastically different from where they come from. The end goal of making a difference for Jesus can sometimes seem so unattainable because it’s blocked by politics, poverty, resources, access, etc.

Sometimes, it can feel like we aren’t doing enough to change the outcome for those that we are interacting with. A big part of why we go to some of these areas is to spark curiosity and encouragement within the church community that is already there and bring people back to church.

“The health screenings have been a little slow, slower than we hoped, but it’s been really good,” said Tim Maddocks, the interim Pastor for City Church in Siem Reap. “I can see the local people are enjoying it, and many of them are not coming from a Christian background. So, this is a very positive experience for their understanding of Christianity and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and I think that will help to open doors.

“They may not come to this evangelistic program, but the doors will be much more open to listening to the gospel,” continued Pr. Maddocks “We’ve given them a lot of literature today, so that’s good. Some of them may go and read it and take an interest, and hopefully, the advice given will have an impact on some. And there are a few that have extremely high blood pressure or high blood glucose. So, hopefully, the advice they’ve been given will send them to a health clinic for treatment. I think today’s clinic could potentially lengthen the lives of some people!”

Every single seed we plant, every chance we get to share Jesus with someone, and every piece of advice we give, counts.

Oftentimes, we expect God to show up in huge numbers, perform enormous miracles, and show up in ways we couldn’t even imagine, and when He doesn’t show up in the ways we expect, we can get discouraged. But it’s important to remember that He shows up for the small moments; He cares for the one.

Team member Jacob said it best, “One is a majority when it comes to God.”

Jesus left the 99 to find the one; angles rejoice when one sinner repents. All we have to do is touch one life for Christ, and that’s a mission accomplished.

As Jesus said in the parable, “‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:6-7

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