Aotearoa

The Mission field

C. T. Studd - 

Up until that time he had felt content to witness amongst his own associates but after hearing a missionary speaking about the need for workers in China, Charles was increasingly burdened and convicted by verses such as "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (Psalm 2:8). Although his friends and relatives tried to dissuade him, Charles knew he was being called to eh mission field and he sought an interview with Hudson Taylor, the director of the China Inland Mission and was accepted as an associate member. 
For C. T. Studd those future years were to see him giving away his family inheritance to help the work of George Muller, D.L. Moody, Dr. Barnardo and others and spending ten years in China where he suffered great hardships to reach remote areas where the gospel had never been heard before. 

James Hudson Taylor - 

His father was an eloquent and able Methodist local preacher and his mother a woman of more than ordinary sweet and patient spirit. Hudson Taylor combined the ability of his father with the gentle disposition of his mother. He was converted through the reading of a tract at the age of fifteen, and not long afterward passed through a remarkable experience, at which time he dedicated himself to God for whatever service might be appointed. Unknown to himself, his father, who had been deeply interested in China, had prayed that his son might go to that land as a missionary.

Charlotte "Lottie" Digges Moon - 

When she set sail for China, Lottie was 32 years old. She had turned down a marriage proposal and left her job, home and family to follow god's lead. Her path wasn't typical for an educated woman from a wealthy southern family. But Lottie did not serve a typical God. He had gripped her with the Chinese peoples' need for a Savior. 
For 39 years Lottie labored, chiefly in Tengchow and Pingtu. People feared and rejected her, bur she refused to leave. The aroma of fresh-baked cookies drew people to her house. She adopted traditional Chinese dress, and she learned China's language and customs. Lottie didn't just serve the people of China; she identified with them. Many eventually accepted her. And some accepted her Savior. 

Courtney Todd - 

I left the American comforts, the American dream, the American culture for a culture that I understand. New Zealand, Aotearoa. At 20 years old I broke out of the mundane for something radical and different. Something not commonly known in my generation. 3 years into this thing I have done it again. In the 4th grade I always said I never want to be a missionary. Well here I am at 23 years old and it is a job made for me and I was made for it. You know when you just know! Something new and different than the "normal life" I was leading before. Which there was nothing wrong with but something deep down was always calling to me that there is something more! I can finally say I now know what that is! It's diving into the Unknown with the Lord as my guide! 



I thought I would do a post of the mission field according to all these remarkable missionaries that put in years of service! I'm especially inspired by Lottie Moon mainly because I can identify with how food always brings people around! 

So back on the mission field. On my way over this time I stopped in Fiji. It was interesting in the way of how that airport works and how everyone is on island time. It was great but I didn't like breaking up my sleep too much. Anyways when I was sitting there waiting for my next flight I got thinking of how this really is the mission field for me. I guess I always think of the slums in India or villages in China when I think of "mission field". It's not though! It's where you are! Everyone is in the mission field. Or more Politically Correct it's what you make your mission field. For me it's being a disciple in this season for the new students coming in! I'm pumped because this is what I've been doing the past 3 years now! It's such an honor to speak into other peoples lives! I love encouraging people with where they are and on the journey to where they are going to end up at the end of the 3 months! I know it's going to fly right by! It's going to be awesome! 

I'm stoked to be back and over jet lag!