The Lasting Impact of Mission - 3 Apr 2017
In 2016, Mel Woods decided to explore a new place and took part in our Mission team to Lebanon. This is a beautiful reflection on the lasting impact of her trip, and how it’s impacted her faith:
"Prayer is a beautiful act that translates across cultures..."
When an email about 24-7 Prayer Mission Trips came into my inbox, I barely read it before pressing delete. Despite this, however, the email kept coming to mind and Lebanon came up in conversation countless times. So I began to investigate and pray and ended up on a plane bound for Beirut in May last year.
A year on, I continue to be amazed by my experience, and how God used the trip to impact me:
Finding Beauty
Naively, my view of the Middle East came from its media coverage. I arrived expecting to see a war-torn, desolate city. Instead, I encountered a strikingly beautiful landscape, and met a people marked by resilience and kindness. War has impacted the country in a devastating way, but there is also a beauty that takes your breath away.
Loving People
It was a privilege to spend time with radical, faithful followers of Jesus; seeing the team in Lebanon living life on a daily basis was inspiring. They exude Christ in whatever they do; whether teaching, ministering or nipping to the shops. The kindness they had for one another was humbling and the way they welcomed us into their lives was such a blessing - I was reminded of the attitudes of the early Church in Acts, and I felt so inspired by them to live an authentic and community-focused life.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need…. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved…”
Acts 2:42-47
Powerful Prayer
On our mission trip we offered to pray for Christians, for Muslims, for Lebanese, for Syrians, for refugees, for city dwellers, for Church leaders and for students. Prayer is a beautiful act that translates across cultures, and in the Name of Jesus we saw healing and breakthrough in every situation. I am constantly reminded prayer is more powerful than anything I could do myself, and that prayer is a common language that transcends cultural barriers and brings connection.
There was some unrest in the city a few days before we were due to fly out and decisions were being made as to whether we would go. As I was praying about it I felt God speak a sentence over me that has shifted my attitude in more ways than I could have imagined:
'The safest place is where I want you.’
Travel advice, risk assessments and health and safety are all good things, but the world's view of 'safe' is not God's view. There is truly nowhere I'd rather be than where my Father wants me.
Fancy going on a prayer adventure? Head to 24-7prayer.com/missionteams to find out where you could go this year.
