Canceled Plans

This past week we learned, due to Covid-19, that Teen Missions has canceled all summer teen trips. While we were not surprised by the decision, it was still devastating to have it confirmed and become a reality. Most would think I was elated that for the first summer since 2014, I will have no teens out of the country for 6 weeks. Certainly, I am looking forward to them being here, but I share in their sadness.

You see, with these change of plans comes the loss of an amazing opportunity to serve Christ in a country that needs to hear the gospel. To be the hands and feet of Christ as they provide for the needs of the people they meet…. to pray with the adults and children, to wash their feet, to provide medical care, or to just bring a moment of happiness in a game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

It also is a loss of being a part of hundreds of teens that come together at a two week boot camp where they are pushed to the very edges of themselves in the midst of the heat, bugs, no flushing toilets, and bathing in a bucket. A time were they learn how strong they are on their own, how to lean on their team mates when they are struggling, and the relationship with Christ that is formed deeply in their souls as they conquer each day. The teens build new families with their team mates sharing their pasts, building their faith, and preparing to go into the field to give everything they have to the people they have chosen to serve.

It is a loss of an amazing time of worship each day where the teens are not ashamed to raise their hands in praise and adoration as they sing and pray at the evening rallies. Where a “mosh pit” is formed filled with smelly, sweating teens that are excited to have time to give all their hearts to him after a long day of learning and preparing for what is to come next. It gives them energy, it reminds them they are not alone in this thing called Christianity, and that they can call out his name freely with no worries of being made fun of for standing firm for Christ.

It is a loss of rekindling relationships from past teams, because even after all they go through for 6 weeks, they come back year after year and bring friends so they can have that same experience. This family of Teen Missions is life long as they are bonded over the stories they share seeing people in third world countries open their homes and lives and share all they have with these teens because they are so excited to hear about Christ. They watch in awe as God provides for their every need and answers prayers that seem impossible.

It is a loss of seeing that the world is bigger than their town/city/state/country. The perspective that they are part of something that spans the world is a reminder that they can make a change. They see God’s beauty in the places they visit and are inspired by his creation. They see Christians worship him the same in so many places, in so many languages, and with an awe inspiring gratefulness to be able to do so unlike what we experience in America. The teams are reminded how grateful they should be to live where they can worship freely anywhere.

Yes, my teens can do many good things for the kingdom right here in my city. Yes, I’ll be happy to share a summer with them. But I understand their sadness in the loss of a Teen Mission summer. I know God will use this for his glory still and we will all learn different lessons this year. I will support my teens through this knowing they would rather be there (this year would have been Philippines for one and Cambodia for the other) while beginning a countdown to summer 2021 when, God willing, they will be traveling to the next country God calls them to serve.

… What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:14-15