Fall Trip Reflection

James 1:2-3

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Our trip to Turkey and Moldova was definitely a trial of various kinds. Before I explain, I must say that it was a good trip. We had great conversations with everyone we visited. We helped set up the Turkish Cultural Center/Church in Moldova and prayed over the place. Kathryn had multiple opportunities to speak truth into people’s lives. Despite being sick, I was able to preach at three different churches. It was a good trip; we met all of our goals.

At the same time, it was personally challenging. The weather was colder than expected; it had been warmer the weeks before our trip. I got sick just as we were getting over jet lag and heading to Moldova. I was congested and my voice was horrible. I kept waking up in the middle of the night coughing. My biggest concern was about preaching the following Sunday. I was scheduled to preach at two churches, and I was really looking forward to it. But then I started wondering if I should cancel preaching. My voice was bad, and I was having coughing attacks. Could I get through two sermons? I wanted to follow through with the commitment that I made. Me preaching meant that the pastor had a break from preaching, but if I canceled, then he would have to prepare last minute and then I would have made it more difficult for him. I started to question my motives, “Did I offer to preach because I wanted to show how impressive I am?” In the midst of my aches, congestion, and coughing, I was struggling in my mind and heart. The irony of all this is that I was preaching about the Armor of God, which we need to stand against the attacks of the enemy. I needed to put on the armor. I need the shield of faith to fend off the lies of the enemy. I need the helmet of salvation to remind me of my identity in Christ. All of the parts represent Christ, his work for us, but I still need to put it on, like Paul encourages the Ephesians.

I then remembered what Carlos, the pastor we served under while we lived in Turkey, said years ago. He was encouraging the two Turkish pastors whom he had appointed to lead the church. The pastors would often call in sick when they were scheduled to preach. Carlos told them that they shouldn’t give opportunity to the enemy to stop them from preaching God’s word so easily. Nobody likes to preach when they are sick, but time and again I have experienced the power of God carrying and leading me as I preach at times when I was sick. So I decided to preach even though I felt horrible.

Praise God, I was able to deliver each sermon. My nose only started to run during the second sermon. On top of that, God gave me the opportunity to share the gospel with our taxi driver on the way back to where we were staying after the second sermon. The taxi driver drove slowly to maximize our time. May God give growth to that seed that was planted.

Thank you for praying for us. Your support and prayers are essential to what we do. I hope that this letter gives a glimpse into the complex reality of our ministry. This is about the ministry we do and the ministry God is doing in us. Thank you for being a part.

Blessings,

Mark