Missions Preparation Highlights (CZ08)

Preparations for the Czech missions trip started when the missions team was first announced in March and continued on until we reached Ostrava.
Prior to when the team was chosen, I really only knew one person (Ted Su) fairly well so it was interesting to see how God would bring such different personalities together to form a cohesive team. Our general missions meetings on Sunday afternoons were helpful to form a biblical view on missions and to build confidence on how to share the gospel, but much of the team building started during our separate Czech team meetings as we began planning for events, skits and praying for the Ostrava church and for each other. It was through working alongside each other and brainstorming ideas that I began to see my team members’ personalities, their hearts and their talents. Since no one had any formal teaching experience, many of us labored through many hours to put together our English lesson plans. A little bit of adversity helped bring us closer together.
Café Night preparation also brought the team together as many of us were pulled out of our comfort zones. Some practices went really well, and sometimes it seemed like we took a few steps backwards but everyone (both guys and girls) kept good attitudes and didn’t complain. I was particularly impressed with the extra time some of our team members spent practicing on their own, persevering for the sake of the Gospel. 😉
But no matter how well prepared we were, we needed to remember that the only confidence that we could have was in God—not in our abilities or our planning. Our leaders reminded us that plans could change, and we needed to be flexible. Not surprisingly, we had many opportunities to be flexible when we experienced multiple changes and delays in our travel plans to Ostrava. The delays were actually blessings as they allowed our team to have extra time to bond with each other. Scary bus rides and long flights were filled with laughter, curious questions and times of encouragement. By the time we arrived in Ostrava, I could sense we had a genuine care for everyone on the team. This was important as we could minister to our students by our corporate witness—that they would know we are Christians by the way we care for and treat each other.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

by Christopher Lim

Preparations for the Czech missions trip started when the missions team was first announced in March and continued on until we reached Ostrava.

Prior to when the team was chosen, I really only knew one person (Ted Su) fairly well so it was interesting to see how God would bring such different personalities together to form a cohesive team. Our general missions meetings on Sunday afternoons were helpful to form a biblical view on missions and to build confidence on how to share the gospel, but much of the team building started during our separate Czech team meetings as we began planning for events, skits and praying for the Ostrava church and for each other. It was through working alongside each other and brainstorming ideas that I began to see my team members’ personalities, their hearts and their talents. Since no one had any formal teaching experience, many of us labored through many hours to put together our English lesson plans. A little bit of adversity helped bring us closer together.

Café Night preparation also brought the team together as many of us were pulled out of our comfort zones. Some practices went really well, and sometimes it seemed like we took a few steps backwards but everyone (both guys and girls) kept good attitudes and didn’t complain. I was particularly impressed with the extra time some of our team members spent practicing on their own, persevering for the sake of the Gospel. 😉

But no matter how well prepared we were, we needed to remember that the only confidence that we could have was in God—not in our abilities or our planning. Our leaders reminded us that plans could change, and we needed to be flexible. Not surprisingly, we had many opportunities to be flexible when we experienced multiple changes and delays in our travel plans to Ostrava. The delays were actually blessings as they allowed our team to have extra time to bond with each other. Scary bus rides and long flights were filled with laughter, curious questions and times of encouragement. By the time we arrived in Ostrava, I could sense we had a genuine care for everyone on the team. This was important as we could minister to our students by our corporate witness—that they would know we are Christians by the way we care for and treat each other.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34-35 )