READY TO DO MISSIONS?

[ see photos | read testimony ]

REBECCA MIED
Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio
Bible-missions major
Graduate

Plans: Full-time missions is my long-term goal, but right now I am sharpening some skills that God has given me. I am thinking about going back to school for linguistic studies in European languages.

Missions service: Czestochowa, Poland, Oct.-Dec. 2002 and March-May 2003.

Assignment: A girl named Amelia and I simply met new people and planned outreaches through a local church-operated coffee shop. We also helped teach English at a private school.

Favorite part of the day: I got to spend about four hours with God every single day. I had never had so much time with Him before, but I quickly saw my need for this in full-time ministry.

Life in Poland: The afternoons were full of prayer time with other missionaries, teaching English, running errands and meeting students—which means having tea for at least three hours! In the evenings we pulled coffee shop duty or met with new friends. Weekday nights also included Bible studies and prayer meetings. Every weekend night something was happening in the coffee shop, like a concert, movie night or game night.

Biggest challenge: Poles open up their arms to you right away, but it takes a long time to earn the right to speak about something like God in a 95% staunch Catholic country. Add this to trying to learn the language and live in a culture you’re not familiar with, and it’s hard to make the most of such little time!

God working: Believers in Poland are being refined on a daily basis. It is not easy to be a Christian in a culture where you stand very far out of the norm. We have seen some fall away from following Christ, but those that God has called are growing stronger every day.

Back at home: I'm just discouraged and in a very dry spot. With reverse culture shock, a lack of Christian friends and a 40-hour workweek that doesn't include four hours with God every day, I've died a lot inside! Please pray for me! I want to follow God with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. But this is my time for my 40 days in the wilderness.

Wish you’d known: Get to know the history, culture and language of the country you are going to! They will laugh at your version of their language, but never forget that you are a guest and a learner in their country. Don't make the silly mistakes that come with ignorance.

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