Thoughts from our Missionaries journeying through covid
Luke, YMT Member - Sydney
Something that I learned about myself this year that I found really exciting was how resilient I can be in the face of change when I'm rooted in God and his perspective on a situation. The news that I would be heading back home shook me pretty strongly when I first received it in March, but although it had massive implications for this year of mission, I gradually began to see a multitude of blessings that God was giving me through it. Like the unexpected time around my family and an abundance of time to go deeper with God in prayer which I never would have had otherwise. Despite this, my time back home presented a few new challenges, like the feeling of isolation which would have been felt by many over the last few months. Through that experience, I learned that, regardless of where I find myself, the YMT Sydney men's sharehouse or at home in Melbourne, my need for support and vulnerability in the relationships with those around me remained constant.
Linea, YMT Member - Melbourne
In my mental and spiritual prep for this year I thought about the challenges of adjusting to living away from home, ministry, household, not about learning to cope with a pandemic. The lessons I did get this year were definitely more about dealing with changing expectations and intense emotions. I’m a perfectionist, so I tend to tie myself up in knots over what I think is the ‘perfect’ way to walk in faith. In the turmoil of this year, God taught me there is no perfect way, there is only the way that works for me and the person I am as I grapple with anger, disappointment, grief, and confusion. I found this particularly difficult during the uncertainty of the year, and yet God gently met me where I was. He both held all my questions and fears and challenged me to step out and let go of my expectations. In processing my emotions with Him, I was able to do that, and became open to change and new possibilities. I have had to truly trust that God can bring good and beauty out of pain and suffering, and He still reminds me of this as I continue the journey of deepening my faith with Him.
Sebastian, YMT Member - Perth
God's ways are above my own and he has conveyed this point to me continuously throughout the year. There have been many moments where God's actions have confused me and have even left me in angry in that confusion. However, I have so far never been left in that anger long and have always returned to God humbled as he has come through on his promises. I find myself always challenged by God, then only to realise that the challenges of life pale into insignificance in the face of God's power and love. God has shown me that in him I have been able to do things I never thought I could do. As God has continued to speak into my life and bless me this year, my trust in him has grown enormously and I have gained a renewed faith and heart for God that I hope I will carry with me for the rest of my life.