Of Struggle

I had a conversation with some FTPWs who have been in mission for years and I asked them what’s there unforgettable victory and deepest struggle in mission. Victories, they said, being in different places and experiencing different culture, food and having new friends. And this of course, with the given fact of a growing intimate relationship with the Lord and as for struggles, most of them answered, “loneliness”. They said being assigned in a far away place with the prospect of going home, being with family and friends whom they have known and have understood them is very slim, that’s the worst feeling. Others can be away for years, good if you can go home in a year.

Another thing about loneliness is that sometimes people we work and serve around unconsciously think that we are okay always, without knowing what we are struggling deep within. That’s when the feeling of being alone, misunderstood and uncared for, comes in.

My prayer is that my heart will become more open and sensitive to Gods leading instead of being hardened by situations like those mentioned. I think, this is the goodness of mission; it brings us to the limits of our capacity as a human person if only to find out that our capability to rise above and become a better person is limitless.

by aats