Missions update - Alyssa Lagang
3 Helpful keys for Missionaries
When I decided to do discipleship training school (DTS) with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) after finishing high school in 2015, little did I know how much it would turn out to impact my life. This 6-month training school in Australia actually led me into doing full-time missions. However, the discipleship and training didn’t stop after those 6 months, and I feel like I’m regularly learning new things, practically and in character. I’ve been learning things such as, how to cultivate a deep relationship with God, the ways of godly leadership, how to relate and work well in teams, and that no matter how many teachings on evangelism you sit through or how many times you do it, there will always be some level of awkwardness in it.
Along the journey, difficulties have come and somewhat forced growth for the sake of well-being longevity as a missionary. These are areas that I recognize, at least for myself, to be so important to develop and continually grow in, in order for individuals to go far and last long in the line of work of being a missionary!
Adaptability – the ability to adjust to different conditions and circumstances. Being in missions usually means meeting many different people and encountering various different cultures. It’s exciting and eye-opening to learn different ways of life around the world! It’s important to remember that when we face different cultures, we should proceed in humility and adapt well. As missionaries, and the body of Christ, we represent Jesus, and the last thing we’d want to do is look down on other cultures or ways of life and judge our differences. Culture shock is a very real thing! And we must learn how to adjust with grace, kindness, and awareness. I’ve traveled to a few countries in Asia where tattoos are often not well accepted in Christian communities. So, in the high humid heat, I wore long sleeves every time we went out for ministry to cover the tattoos on my arms. Why? I wouldn’t have had much impact if I had ignored their preferences and presented myself in a culturally inappropriate way. Also, I came to share the love and good news of Jesus and not with a direct message to change their cultural views. Therefore, in being adaptable we meet people where they’re at in order to show them that Jesus does the same.
We remain humble before others so that God and his love would shine bright
and transform people’s hearts.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23, ‘To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.’ Paul talks here about being adaptable.
Perseverance – steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It’s always amazing to see God move in people’s lives! It happens that people receive healing when we pray in the name of Jesus. It happens that people encounter God and are touched by his perfect love. It happens that people receive the revelation of Jesus and decide to follow Him!
It’s all by the power of God! Believe it or not, there is a battle in the spiritual world. As we advance God’s kingdom the enemy is against this and the people actively furthering that kingdom. Therefore, miracles, transformation, and breakthroughs often don’t come without a fight. Let’s not forget that our struggle is not without reason nor is it alone. Jesus’ encouragement is to take heart in light of the troubles of this world because he has already overcome! (John 16:33). We fight for the plans and purposes of God to be released on earth and we do that by standing with Jesus, praying our faces off, and walking in obedience to whatever he says to do. In the context of missions, for me, much perseverance has been needed in fighting for things such as: financial support, open doors for ministry, embracing cross-cultural life, transformation in the lives of others, and change in my own heart and life.
Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Vulnerability – willing to show emotion or allowing one’s weakness to be seen and known. We all have weakness and maybe even seasons of feeling weak, whether it be emotional, physical, or spiritual. From what I learned growing up, weakness and emotions weren't supposed to be shown or shared with others. However, this isn’t Jesus’ example to us. He never kept his sadness only to himself nor did he hide his weakness. In fact, he did the opposite and he cried with people in his sorrow (John 11:33-35) and invited people to bear with him in his weakness (Matthew 26:36-38). Jesus found it necessary to allow himself to not only be fully seen and known in these times, but he also involved others into it. I found that having community and being fully known in community actually provides a greater level of strength, encouragement, and necessary support working in missions. As mentioned earlier, perseverance is necessary because there is hardship and discouragement that comes. Certainly, we have the Lord with us, but we can rely on others too!
I was once leading a mission trip team alone and halfway through the outreach I felt myself hitting a wall and I became so emotionally overwhelmed that I was having a hard time to continue leading. I felt God tell me to share my struggle with the team and have them pray for me. It felt defeating at first to confess my weakness, but through their prayers and encouragement, a new strength came. I felt a greater wave of grace come over me to finish that outreach well and lead well. This really showed me that vulnerability breathes grace.
In missions, your environment can often change and even the people you have around you. Always make it a point to find community - people that you can make yourself known to, can rely on for prayer, and can lean on in distress. This will take you far as you journey with the Lord.
- Alyssa Lagang YWAM, Paris
