Lessons Learned

The last few weeks have been difficult.  I’ve done a lot of short term missions, but the longest period of time for any one mission trip was 10 weeks when I was a summer missionary in college.  I’m learning a lot about what it takes to be in a more permanent position of ministry.  There’s nothing like ‘on the job training’ sometimes.  The lessons might be hard, but I’ll never forget them.  Here are some of the more important things I’ve learned.

1.     Know Who You Are 

My identity is not in what I can do.  I’m not Niki the Missionary, or Niki the English Teacher.  I’m not who I am because I can write poetry or cook, or even because I’m a mom.  And I’m not who others say I am.  My identity is solely who I am in Christ, and who He says I am.   Everything else changes – how good I am at things, what people think, and even how I feel.  But who God says I am will never change.  It is the only truth. 

People can take you to extremes in either direction.  They can admire you and make you think you’re special, and they can criticize your every word and make you question who you are.  It’s a fight sometimes to remember who I really am.

     2.     Learn To Let Go

Whether I’m at home, or far away, things happen in my life that are out of my control.  But when I’m far from home, it seems to be a lot harder.  I don’t know why, because I was no more in control of things when I was closer to them.  I was just fooling myself.  There have been moments in the last few weeks that I’ve thanked God for doing for me what I didn’t have the strength to do for myself – get me out of the way.  It reminds me of an old quote:

“Good morning, this is God!  I will be handling all your problems today.  I will not need your help, so have a good day!”

     3.      Surround Yourself with People Who Encourage You

We don’t get to choose the people we minister to, so ministry can be emotionally draining and sometimes even painful.  It’s not just a good idea, but I believe God’s will that we set appropriate boundaries in relationships, for our protection as well as those that we minister to.  But we also need those around us who feed us when we’re drained completely dry.

I want you to meet two friends who do that for me.

 



This is Basia Rembieliński  and Iwona Cygan.

Basia was born in Myslowice.  She is married to Artur.  They have two daughters, Zuzanna and Marta.  She loves movies, swimming, jazz, and the music that Artur plays J

Iwona was born here in Katowice.  Her husband’s name is Grzegorz and they have a daughter named Paulina.  They also have a dog named Nana, who I think is Obie’s Polish twin!  Iwona also loves movies, swimming and jazz, but she also likes rock music. 

Basia and Iwona are very close friends, but they make room in their hearts for me.  They love me warmly, pray for me faithfully, and joyfully encourage me.  I love them because they always make me laugh.  I always look forward to seeing them because I know they will bring a smile to my face.  I’m so thankful for their friendship and their ministry of encouragement to me!