Oct 21, 2020 Moving Forward in Missions Team Member Thoughts Part 1

In a year that’s turned all our lives upside down, we miss our amazing team members more than ever! Even though we haven’t met in person to serve in the mission field together, we want to stay connected with our volunteers. Here are some of their thoughts on and perspectives on missions in 2020. We’d love to hear from you too!

How has the pandemic affected your thoughts on international missions?

May: For a while I was pretty down, we were all taken aback from all these changes that were happening. The challenges made me feel uncomfortable as to how I could to contribute. And as time went on and months passed, we realized the setbacks were actually bigger than what we imagined. However, over time, God showed me ways to still stay connected to missions and my team members. The timing actually worked out for me to have more time to relax, have more time with God and to really think about the futureÑthis time actually strengthened my desire to want to go back and continue to serve again!

Maria: I feel this pandemic has been the Lord’s way of letting us know that we’ve got to get the Word out and that Jesus is coming very soon. But God has still used this pandemic for goodÑbecause of it we’ve had more visitors on our church’s zoom worship services.

Joe: I was struck by something a celebrity mentioned, a wrestler I remember from childhood: Hulk Hogan. He shared this regarding the pandemic, “God has taken away everything that we worship.” He went on to explain our sports arenas have closed, clothing stores have closed to shopaholics, concerts cancelled. It’s amazing that although God is not the author of evil or disease, He has used the pandemic to catch our attention. Hulk Hogan’s Istagram post went on, Maybe we need to take this time of isolation from the distractions of the world and have a personal revival where we focus on the ONLY thing in the world that really matters: JESUS.

Have you kept in touch with your fellow team members?

May: Even though I haven’t been traveling on mission trips, I’m still connected to my team members and friends in the field. We text and call each other all the time. During my morning walks following my devotional time, I talk with my fellow team members. We encourage and pray for each other. The pandemic may have restricted our physical meeting, but I’ve been determined to stay connected in communications. I even call QHM staff friends to check and see if they’re okay. Keeping connected is very important. When we call to encourage someone, we actually receive the blessing of encouragement too!

We may be confined somewhat in our homes, but we’re not confined with our communications. It’s exciting to still see updates on how missions are moving forwardÑthe church in Ethiopia is being built. And it just makes me think, Wow! God’s work is still moving forward, regardless of the challenges. It’s so wonderful to see pictures of the progress.

Do you still feel connected to missions?

Maria: The pandemic has not stopped me from being a missionary for God. I’m not much of a social media person, but I’ve been sharing on Facebook. I share devotionals or short videos. Praise God, I have several friends who are following my posts every single day. I’ve posted about the Sabbath and how it was created for all mankind from the beginning of creation. God has inspired me to share in a way where I’m not pushing doctrine, and in a way that reaches beyond denomination.

Sandy: Absolutely! I’ve stayed connected to missions through financially supporting mission projects, staying in touch with team members, and making myself available to share. I’ve been able to share through giving Bible studies and personal service. I’ve been helping an elderly church member who’s had health challengesÑthat’s missionary work too!

Read part 2 next week for the more from our awesome team members.