MK in East Asia shares lesson learned: ‘Trust the Storyteller’
By Jasmine Greenbay*
IMB missionary kid, East Asia
In 2019 my family moved from a small East Asian town to one of the largest cities in the world.
Our new home city wasn’t like the other East Asian towns I loved, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that I despised the place — at least at first.
Slowly, I began to fall in love with the sights, my apartment complex, the beautiful trees and weather and the delicious culinary selections. My family and I made countless memories laughing at the dinner table, touring the city and enjoying sunny days. I came to appreciate it, genuinely thankful for God’s provision.
After only four months in this city, my dad received a call offering him a position that would eventually move us to Taiwan.
When I heard the news, my heart plummeted, racing with questions, pounding with dread.
Instantly, I compiled a mental list titled, “Why we should definitely not move to Taiwan.” I hated to think my parents were actually considering this.
“We just got settled here,” I journaled. “We just painted the walls. We just hung up my room décor. … We just got here.”
Anxiety stilled my ability to speak. My unwillingness to accept this was clear.
A grand plan
But God works in mysterious ways, and over the next few days a strange, comforting peace smoothed the worry wrinkles from my mind, and I could not ignore the small voice inside assuring me of God’s sovereignty.
It would take forever to explain all the little things He put in place to convince me to trust Him, but the most important thing was that God quieted my tumultuous thoughts and doubts. He replaced worry with peace, and anger with trust.
By the end of December 2019, we found ourselves in the country of Taiwan, ready (or not) to start anew. I’d soon come to realize that it was all a part of a plan — one grand, masterpiece of a plan that could have only been orchestrated by the greatest Storyteller to ever exist.
Only months later, an unidentified virus had plunged the entire world into a state of panic.
COVID-19 dramatically affected families and individuals across the globe — including countless numbers of my MK friends. Multiple other complications sprang up for fellow missionaries, creating one gigantic headache for everyone involved.
Consequently, many families I knew suddenly evacuated or relocated, taking only their most essential and precious possessions with them. Everyone lost something.
During the beginning of the pandemic, COVID massively infiltrated almost every country … save one small East Asian island off the coast of China — Taiwan.
Talk about God’s perfect timing.
I was shocked. We were all shocked. I kept thinking, “How in the world is my family worthy of being spared all that heartache that others are experiencing?”
The answer is, we weren’t. God had an epic story to bring Himself glory amid the impending turmoil, even if that meant guiding us away from one city to another.
‘Faith flourished’
My faith flourished as a result. Experiencing how God can fashion something beautiful from my sorrow has taught me to better trust Him because I know He holds my future securely in His hands.
So when my spirit is crushed because I am yet again called to leave what I love, I will remember in the midst of all the chaos, a purpose has been fashioned and perfected to glorify the greatest Storyteller in history. He is best-equipped to plan my life — now, and forevermore.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jasmine Greenbay* (name changed) lives with her family in East Asia. COVID-19 did eventually affect Taiwan, but the Greenbays didn’t have to move. This article was originally published by the International Mission Board and has been edited for space.
Looking forward to one flock being led by the Shepherd
By James Jackson
Pastor, Glynwood Baptist Church
Maybe I’m reading into the text here (Gen. 30), but I have to wonder if this speckled, spotted, mottled, black, brown, off-white flock is also a prophetic picture of God’s kingdom.
For a long time, the church in America tried its best to be an all-white flock.
But that was never God’s intention. Jesus came to create one flock for Himself.
It would be made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
This is what He meant when He told His disciples “I have other sheep that are not of this fold” (John 10:16).
And one day, there will be a multitude from every tribe, tongue and nation standing before the throne.
Red and yellow, black and white. Streaked and spotted, blemished and mottled.
There will be one flock, with one Shepherd. Oh Lord, haste the day.
EDITOR’S NOTE — James Jackson blogs through Scripture at jamesjackson.blog where this item originally appeared.
Rivers in the wasteland
Selah Vetter
the-scroll.com
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:19).
This verse has been the background on my phone for all of college.
On days when I need a reminder of God’s character and His promise to deliver me, this verse is a comfort.
We have triumphant hope that God is working at all times.
It can be easy to allow current circumstances to cloud your view on God’s promises. However, it is important to remember that God cannot be less good to you on a mundane Monday than He was on the Friday afternoon Christ hung on a cross for us all.
So when life does not match my definition of “good” during my season of wandering, I have confidence God is working all things together for good (Rom. 8:28).
When I am assured of this fact, I can face my circumstances because I can stand in confidence and strength in the Lord, not in myself.
There is not a single moment where God is not loving and merciful to us. When I cannot see the goodness in my situation, I remember to shift my focus not on what the world may see but to what God sees, knowing He is at work and has a purpose for every moment I find myself in.
I know the temporary suffering is bearable because He has promised to deliver us and to provide rivers in the wilderness.
I am not alone through the wandering and struggles of this earthly life.
Let us worship the God who deserves to be praised for His goodness during both the blessings and hardships of our lives.
Let’s not tire of doing good! After all, there are people who need Him so much.
Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary via Facebook
“If the government is already moving these people all over the place naturally, why not, instead of seeing that as a problem, see that as an opportunity to say, ‘Let’s disciple these families, and then they’re going to take the gospel with them everywhere.’ To me, it seems like a great way to accomplish the Great Commission,” said Jared Huntley, a North American Mission Board missionary. He and his wife, Jennifer, are seeking to reach the surrounding military communities near their church plant in Washington, D.C.
“The moments we take to pause and look back at all that God has done inspires us to dream of just what God might do through another generation of faithful and bold followers,” said John Nicholson, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary this fall.
“The Church in Ukraine is thriving and doing great. … The Lord can do great things out of destruction,” Bailey Krause, a missionary with the International Mission Board in Warsaw, Poland, who is helping serve Ukrainian refugees.
“When the Supreme Court releases its hold on abortion policymaking, we will show the world that we are ready and willing to empower women and promote life,” said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
“You don’t realize the impact a church has until you look back down the path and see the profound difference made by faithful Christians as they affect the lives of others,” said Crantford Hicks, pastor of Mulga Baptist Church, while celebrating the church’s 100th anniversary.
Are you living for money? Are you living for ease? Are you desirous of “the good life”? Repent from that today and be rich in God. Build a retirement fund and then retire to the service of others. Use manmade systems for accumulating wealth to be generous with your time and money, goods and services.
James Hammack
the-scroll.com
From the Twitterverse
@brocraigc
Lord, today, use the preaching of Your Word to save the lost and strengthen the saved to live for You.
@MichaelCatt
Evangelism is not just for extroverts or those gifted in sharing their faith. The Great Commission is an all call to all of us. @whosyour1_
@john316marshall
We believers must create relaxed settings where we regularly connect with unbelievers. We have to casually be around the lost to effectively communicate with them. Our homes are made to order for this. They can provide unbelievers a place where they can safely ask hard questions.
@GregMathias
Missionary Myth: To serve as a missionary, one needs a clear and specific call to a certain place or people. May be true, but often it is a call to love God and others coupled with a persevering passion to take the gospel to a different culture/s.
@DustinBenge
7 prayers before worship:
- Lord, fix my heart upon Christ.
- Lord, open my mind to Your word.
- Lord, remind me of the gospel.
- Lord, empty me of this world.
- Lord, bless those who minister.
- Lord, help me to encourage others.
- Lord, equip me to respond in grace.
@pastorjgkell
Don’t measure Bible reading by how you feel about it. I recently had a “boring” time in God’s word. But later in a conversation, three things came to mind from what I read. God’s word never returns void, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s working. Read by faith, not feeling.
@claysmith79
If you are a pastor, you are NOT a CEO, an “influencer,” a life coach; though your job may require skills learned from all three. If you are a pastor you are a shepherd. Feed, lead, guide and protect the sheep.
@bigvox
I have been guilty of this myself but we must stop trying to make God something we are more comfortable with. We must repent, leave faith in self, place faith totally in Jesus our Lord and Savior. God then reconciles us to Him. He changes us! We don’t change Him!
@bobgoff
What constantly distracts us will eventually define us.
Share with others: