Please give your top three or five, or 10 bits of advice.
Or agree with a previous post.
Or expand or clarify.
Be courteous and humble. That is to post-ers , but also good advice for workers.
December 12, 2009
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brentwrogers.com
This is from Keith, long-time missionary in Okayama ken Japan
Dear Brent,
1) Make as sure as possible that this is the Lord’s leading. And if you believe it is, then realize that as such you are committing yourself to seeing it through no matter how rough it may be.
2) Being an internship, set the time for it to end.
A) If you come in with no set time for it to end, then it could be difficult for either the intern or host.
B) At the set time of finishing the internship, then everyone can evaluate what has gone on.
3) If the intern doesn’t have the language, then a few things have to be thought out: (This depends on how long the internship is: weeks, months, years)
A) Will studying the language be a part of the internship? If so, then time and money has to set aside for that, plus finding a teacher.
B) If the interns work is mainly to be in English or such that the language isn’t essential to the work, then what?
C) Not having the language, will be the intern needs to understand that there will be periods of loneliness, frustration and irritation.
D) The intern should plan on learning the language regardless how long or short the internship.
4) Be set to learn how to write letters to folks back home to keep them in contact with the work.
5) Be set for disappointments. Realize that not knowing the culture there will be mistakes, misunderstandings, unexpected difficulties and such. It is part of the learning experience so be determined to grin and learn.
Well, Brent, that should give the person something to think about.
God bless.
Keith
Comment by brent — December 30, 2009 @ 7:04 am
Leonard was here for an LST project in 2009.
Best advice: 1. Bring enough money, 2. Bath the work in prayer, 3. Accept the fact that we are only seed planters and God does the increase,. Leonard
Comment by brent — December 30, 2009 @ 7:07 am
I really like the advice Keith had to give; very sound advice.
In addition, I’d say that the ultimate goal for any mission project is to exhibit God in every aspect of one’s life as much as possible since what people will remember most is the person. Don’t take anything for granted. Be observant. Listen more, talk less. Be humble and surrender yourself to what needs to be done, and all the while pray to God to see it through to the end. Be honest and open with the hosts and those you’ll be sharing in the work so that God may work through your weaknesses to reach out to others. Experience challenges expectations, so be prepared to shed any unmet expectations you may find; lean on Christ to renew your mind and heart.
Looking forward to it.
In Christ,
David Curry (member of Kojima Church).
Comment by David Curry — December 30, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
I also think it is good to know why we are going/coming to Japan. I first came as a teacher. I knew God wanted me to work in Japan. I burned my bridges behind me and then came. I asked many who were here for advice and got little. I quickly learned that I had to be flexible. I had to trust God to lead me where I had never been. In my dealing with short-timers, being flexible and let God do what we can’t is the best advice. We can’t understand all of what is going on, even if we “learn” Japanese. A short-term missionary can’t learn the language, but it is good to study to let the Japanese know you are interested in them. I like the advice of the others as well, but don’t let money get you down. If the Lord wants you here, He will provide what is necessary. Sometimes it is not enough for what we want to do, but it will always be enough to live.
In Hm,
Marlin
Comment by Marlin Ray — January 2, 2010 @ 12:54 am
The advice given above is great.
After just seven and a half years (not as long as two of the previous advice givers), here are five bits of wisdom to someone who wants advice as they consider an internship:
A) You must depend upon God.
Everything must begin and end with God. I have been blessed with a continual reminder of this, and God keeps giving me opportunities to learn this lesson. God is the one in charge. God is the one with the power, the plan, and we the people who can choose to be released to Him. So be ready to learn, experience and practice this in your life, in your ministry and in your relationship with God.
B) Love is important.
Japanese are very gracious and kind people. I am indebted to their forgiveness for my lack of language ability – but no matter how much I struggle, I do my best to learn because it is a way to communicate that I love them and that I’m thankful for their acceptance/tolerance. When I was feeling really down about accomplishing very little and feeling like my language ability was poor, a good Japanese friend told me that more important than having polished Japanese language skills is that others feel a depth of love. This is my focus. People don’t really want to have a relationship or hear good news if they don’t perceive and receive genuine love – love that also allows them the freedom to accept it without ‘a catch’.
C) Focus on relationships, not results.
Don’t be lazy nor abuse the trust that many are putting in you as they send you and support you, or as they receive you here in Japan. But as you work with everything you’ve got, keep the focus on relationships and not on results. Results are what glorifies you and gives you temporary respect/notice of others, but relationships glorify God and have a longer lasting impact.
D) Open your eyes, ears, mind and heart. Close your mouth.
Especially as an intern, it is really important to remember that your main role is to receive exposure and to be given experiences that will help you determine God’s will for your future life and ministry. Most are thankful for the help of a short term intern – in a positive way, they bring energy, excitement, and freshness. However, the Japanese minister gave us the advice not to make any criticisms or try any new ideas for the first year, but rather focus on knowing people and understanding the situation. It was good advice. Learning to have the posture of a learner will go a long way if you decide to stay longer term.
E) Have spiritual support.
You need to have a group of three to twelve people who you consider to be the foundational group that will provide support for you in spiritual ways through prayer, through encouragement, through a listening/non judgemental ear, and through accountability to your relationship with God and your consistency in staying rooted in spiritual disciplines. These need to be people who aren’t necessarily supporting you financially (though they can be), who aren’t necessarily related to you (though they can be), and definitely who are not immediately in the mix of the experiences you’ll go through but will commit to taking the time to listen, understand and encourage you to keep on when you don’t feel like it.
Blessings on your journey with the Lord.
Comment by Joel Osborne — January 3, 2010 @ 1:05 am
I don’t think I’m really qualified to say anything useful but here goes.
1. Remind yourself that you’ve come to do work for God and not to have fun (sometimes the excitement can go out of hand and you start acting like you’re on a holiday and end up not being useful at all). But it’ll still be fun.
2. Find out exactly what you will be doing and be prepared for it.
3. Make sure you keep an account of all the money you have and how much you spend. Keep some with you at all times. Of course you’ll have to exhibit control when it comes to spending; you’ll see a lot of things you’d like to buy. If you want to buy souvenirs for the folks back home, don’t do it in the last minute.
4. If it’s winter, keep your hat and gloves nearby ALWAYS. It’s a bummer getting sick when you’re far away from home.
5. Be prepared for disappointments. Things may not always go as planned. You’ll have to work around that.
6. Always think about others.
God bless you, help you. And have an awesome time.
-p-
Comment by Prisy — January 5, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Wow! All of the above is great advice!
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances.
Comment by Esther — January 7, 2010 @ 11:36 pm
Ask your local church to help at least a little financially.
Ask a bunch of people to be a core prayer group. Tell them everything you need to be prayed about.
Ask a bunch more people to pray for you. Tell them more general stuff to pray about.
Write reposts regularly, especially if they are expecting them.
Be flexible.
Always be asking how you can help.
Have a weekly sit down with the hosts to clear the air and redefine expectations as needed.
Comment by Brent — January 8, 2010 @ 3:23 am
Putting on the Armor of God
By Charles Stanley
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for assuring me of victory today if I will but follow Your battle plan. So by faith I claim victory over ~~ (I normally list some things I know I will be faced with that day).
To prepare myself for the battle ahead, by faith I put on the belt of truth. The truth about You, Lord葉hat You are a sovereign God who knows everything about me, both my strengths and my weaknesses. Lord, You know my breaking point and have promised not to allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to bear. The truth about me, Lord, is that I am a new creature in Christ and have been set free from the power of sin. I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit who will guide me and warn me when danger is near. I am Your child, and nothing can separate me from Your love. The truth is that You have a purpose for me this day耀omeone to encourage, someone to share with, someone to love.
Next, Lord, I want to, by faith, put on the breastplate of righteousness. Through this I guard my heart and my emotions. I will not allow my heart to attach itself to anything that is impure. I will not allow my emotions to rule in my decisions. I will set them on what is right and good and just. I will live today by what is true, not by what I feel.
Lord, this morning I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace. I am available to You, Lord. Send me where You will. Guide me to those who need encouragement or physical help of some kind. Use me to solve conflicts wherever they may arise. Make me a calming presence in every circumstance in which You place me. I will not be hurried or rushed, for my schedule is in Your hands. I will not leave a trail of tension and apprehension. I will leave tracks of peace and stability everywhere I go.
I now take up the shield of faith, Lord. My faith is in You and You alone. Apart from You, I can do nothing. With You, I can do all things. No temptation that comes my way can penetrate Your protecting hand. I will not be afraid, for You are going with me throughout this day. When I am tempted, I will claim my victory out loud ahead of time, for You have promised victory to those who walk in obedience to Your Word. So by faith I claim victory even now because I know there are fiery darts headed my way even as I pray. Lord, You already know what they are and have already provided the way of escape.
Lord, by faith I am putting on the helmet of salvation. You know how Satan bombards my mind day and night with evil thoughts, doubt, and fear. I put on this helmet that will protect my mind. I may feel the impact of his attacks, but nothing can penetrate this helmet. I choose to stop every impure and negative thought at the door of my mind. And with the helmet of salvation those thoughts will get no further. I elect to take every thought captive; I will dwell on nothing but what is good and right and pleasing to You.
Last, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. It is strong and powerful and able to defeat even the strongest of Satan痴 onslaughts. Your Word says that I am not under obligation to the flesh to obey its lusts. Your Word says that I am free from the power of sin. Your Word says that I am free from the power of sin. Your Word says that He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. So by faith I take up the strong and powerful sword of the Spirit, which is able to defend me in time of attack, comfort me in time of sorrow, teach me in time of meditation, and prevail against the power of the enemy on behalf of others who need the truth to set them free.
So, Lord, I go now rejoicing that You have chosen me to represent You to this lost and dying world. May others see Jesus in me, and may Satan and his hosts shudder as Your power is made manifest in me. In Jesus
Comment by brent — January 14, 2010 @ 5:59 pm