Wednesday 11 Jan
​What does it feel like to prepare for intercultural work?
Suzanne is getting ready to serve in the Silk Road Area. Here she explores what it feels like to live in the inbetween world of preparation.
"Preparing for intercultural work is many things but very rarely boring! In a way, I’ve been doing it for the last 12 years, and yet new emotions, experiences and questions always find a way to appear.
I heard the call to mission when I was 16. On a Christian camp, I prayed a scary prayer. I said that my life was God’s. If He told me what He wanted me to do with it, I would do it – no asterisk, no take-backs. I’m 28 now. Each of those 12 years have been part of the preparation that eventually led me to Baptist Mission Australia and the Silk Road Area.
When you’re preparing, you live in the land of inbetweens...
Inbetween jobs and roles: Balancing the responsibilities of finishing my work as a teacher in Australia well, while starting to transition into a host of new opportunities, tasks and things to learn on the Silk Road.
Inbetween communities: Finding ways to cherish and value the time I have left face-to-face with loved ones before I go, while building friendships and getting to know new team members and people from my future host community.
Inbetween places: Boxing and donating the parts of my house I won’t bring with me, while checking Silk Road weather forecasts and imagining cycling to the bazaar.
It’s in the inbetween that I’m learning patience when I’m itching to finally join the team. My timing is not the same as God’s and He is under no obligation to keep to my schedule!
Preparing is a whirlwind, but so is intercultural work! Above all else, I feel thankful that it’s a journey we never have to walk alone, but hand-in-hand with the God who calls us."
........................
Suzanne is seeking individuals and churches to partner with her prayerfully and financially. Could this be you?
www.baptistmissionaustralia.org/Suzanne
This an excerpt of a Resonate article. Read the full piece on page 16 of Resonate 40 >>
« Back to News