Trip to Russia
I Received More Than I Gave
By Bro. Brandon Cox

I've always heard that mission trips are life-changing experiences. After traveling to Russia in early February of this year, I've become a strong personal believer in this truth. I had the opportunity to go as a team member on a Barnabas Touch trip designed to offer a Bible conference to Pastors and wives. It was an experience I'll be telling my grandchildren about someday.

I learned from some of the challenges we faced trying to make the trip a reality. We experienced flight delays, strong turbulence, a not-so-smooth landing in Moscow, and two of us were robbed getting on a subway. We were able to laugh a lot about these experiences, especially in light of the wonderful people to whom we ministered during our stay.

The theme of our Bible conference was conflict resolution. I explained in the first session that I felt rather inexperienced and inadequate to speak as an expert on the subject, so we would spend our time learning from each other. By the end of the conference, I had received far more instruction and encouragement than I ever could have given.

I learned a lot about humility as the Pastors asked questions for which I didn't always have answers. Everything I thought I knew about leadership had to be re-evaluated as they spoke of some of the difficulties of facing persecution and conflict in their ministries.

I learned a lot about humility as the Pastors asked questions for which I didn't always have answers. Everything I thought I knew about leadership had to be re-evaluated as they spoke of some of the difficulties of facing persecution and conflict in their ministries.

I learned a lot about joy from the host Pastor and area Superintendent. He picked us up from the train station and took us to our dorm rooms and laughed as his little car skated around the icy curves ... "We'll be there in four minutes ... no, we'll make it in three!"

I learned about hospitality from some of the Russian ladies who kept offering me strange and exotic formulas and remedies for the nasty cold I developed on the trip. These same ladies prepared one meal after another for us and served our every need.

I learned about encouragement as one Pastor let us know he was forgiving someone against whom he had held resentment for many years as a result of our teaching. One Pastor's wife who was ready to give up on marriage and ministry decided to give it another try. And the whole group sang us a farewell song, gave us gifts, and invited us to come again ... this year!

I received more than I gave. I was encouraged more than I encouraged others. I learned more than I taught. I came home with a Russian Bible, some souvenirs, and a totally new perspective on what God is doing around the world. My Barnabas Touch trip was truly life-changing and I plan on going back for more!

 

Sit Down, Buckle-up, and Hold-On
By. Bro. Allan Eakin

I stood in line at the Continental Airlines ticket counter in San Pedro Sula, Hondruas. Six people were ahead of me. As I scanned the ticket counter, all of the workers were conversing with ticket holders in Spanish -- no hint of an English-speaking attendant. I knew no Spanish with the exception of three words, which I list in order of importance -- Banos, Agua, and Hola. Before entering the airport, I insisted that Mark Holcombe teach me a fourth word "adonde" which means essentially "where to next?"

As I scanned the ticket counter again, I decided that one attendant appeared more "Western" than the others. She was my best bet at English, I surmised. However, images of Tom Hanks stranded in "airport limbo" in the movie Terminal flashed through my mind. If I got her -- I got my ticket. If I got my ticket, I was on the plane. If I got on the plane, it was Houston, Texas and one giant step toward home-sweet-home.

She finished with her customer. I was excited. Then someone else came from a different line to "MY" ticket agent. Then with lightening fast speed she disposed of that customer and signaled me to step forward. SHE SPOKE ENGLISH! On the way to the gate I said, "Thank you, Lord" -- the verbal equivalent to a divine "high-five."

Time passed and I settled into my seat on the plane. The pilot did the usual pre-flight instructions about seat belts, etc. You know the "sit-down, buckle-up and hold-on" speech they are required to do.

As the plane accelerated down the runway, the fellow next to me and the couple across the aisle did the "Catholic Cross Thing" and then I realized why the trip was so worth it! They were deceived by some backwards-collar-wearing-person into thinking that spiritual hand signals would somehow help (or protect) them.

As I settled into the seat, my mind began to rehearse the weeks leading up to the 15th Annual Pastor's Conference for the BMA of America in Central America. During the month of September, 2007, Bro. Phil Knott, asked me to consider teaching at the conference. My initial reaction was "what have I got to offer" these guys in Mexico and Central America -- especially the American missionaries. They are the spiritual entrepreneurs of our work. They are the pioneers. They are the folks on the front lines of spiritual warfare. He assured me that the invitation was not an off-the-cuff invitation. Besides, he is a member of my Sunday School class. He knows my teaching style.

I asked for an assigned subject, but that was met with a "whatever the Lord lays on your heart" response. I asked again for some direction. The response was, "there will be pastors, missionaries and dedicated church workers (both Hispanic and American) that need the Word of God. They experience the same ministry problems as pastors, missionaries and church workers in the United States."

That's when my "Sit Down, Buckle-Up, and Hold On" experience began. II Timothy was the obvious text. The epistle divided into six lessons rather simply. The outlines fell together just as easily. The materials (sermon notes, PowerPoint presentation, "fill in the blank" handouts, etc) were forwarded on time to Phil Knott and Mark Holcombe for translation. The flight to San Pedro Sula took off without a problem. All I had to do was hold on.

We arrived on Monday evening and the conference began on Tuesday Morning. During the conference, I met men like Oscar (from Nicaragua), Ronaldo (missionary to Panama), Dennis (from Honduras), Nelson (from Costa Rico), and Ricardo (from the Garifuna people).  I could not communicate freely with them, but yet our Spirits knit together quickly. WE talked about the "High Calling of Ministry," "Perseverance in Ministry," "Excellence in Ministry," "Ministry During Perilous Time," "The Joy of a Life Well Lived," and "Dealing With People." The Holy Spirit used the Word to touch lives. Ministry decisions were made. Commitments were renewed. Life decisions were determined. I did not know their life circumstances and they realized that. However, God took His word and spoke to their hearts plainly and pointedly. People were encouraged. People were changed.

Three highlights come to mind:

       (1) One American missionary told me "I knew I was to remain faithful. Today, you reminded me why."

       (2) One Guatemalan worker, filled with anger over his daughter's brutal assault and rape, decided to let God exact vengeance on the perpetrator.

       (3) One Costa Rican man, confessed that the world had distracted him from ministry, and that he was returning home to quit his job to serve God more effectively.

My assessment? Amazing things happen when we get ourselves out of the way and let God work around and through us.  I came away from the conference with:

       (1) A renewed confidence in the Word of God.

       (2) A renewed commitment to follow the prayer calendar listed in each issue of the Gleaner.

       (3) A renewed appreciation for God's providential arrangement of events and circumstances, and

       (4) A deep, deep appreciation for the first, second and potentially third generation of workers in Mexico and Central America.

BMA missions words! You need to get involved in BMA Missions personally.