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Have you ever been to a place that leaves a permanent mark in your heart when you visit it for the very first time? Today, I want to share my part of the story in God’s grand mysterious journey for His people.
Most of us try to cope with anxiety for our future by planning ahead. Unfortunately, God is often out of the picture in our plans. But God has His own plan for us and decides on the exact time and place to make it happen. Man plans but God purposes (Proverbs 19:21).
As I look back on the past two years of my journey as a missionary under SIM, I can vividly see the hand of God nudging me in the right direction a little by little. When I first embarked on my missionary journey, I was assigned by SIM and commissioned by my church to serve in a particular location. (I’m unable to reveal the place for security reasons.) My mind was set on it. I was all ready to go. But it did not materialise. I was told I was now assigned to some other place. I became confused and asked God why this change of direction. As I studied God’s Word, this verse caught my eye, “... He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts17:26, NIV). It became clear to me that it was God who would set the time and places where we should live, not us. He was the one determining when and where I should be. I just needed to learn to wait on Him.
In October 2019, I visited Africa. My meeting with a particular group of people called Maure (or Moors) got me all fired up. I was amazed to hear the history of this people group. I learnt that there were only about 588,000 Maure in Africa but sadly, only a small number (fewer than five) were Christians. My heart was filled with a yearning so strong that I started thinking of mission strategies to lead them to the kingdom of God. I also pondered on what and how I could contribute to this people group.
Missionaries had been working with this people group for many years but it seemed the Maure were a stiff-necked people whose hearts were made of stone. They were resistant to the gospel. I began wondering how God would break their resistance and create a breakthrough. After my visit wrapped up, on my journey home, Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) kept storming my brain, “…I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I committed it to prayer. I continued praying for many days for this people group. One day I strongly felt that God was calling me to work among them. God knew that I enjoyed challenges and probably decided that I should work among
this people group for now. Preparations to work among the Maure went smoothly with no hindrances. In fact, my church leaders were excited that I could serve in this challenging part of the world. But I will not be alone. I will be working with an international team in Africa when they arrive.
Accepting the change of mission field was one of my hardest decisions but we can trust in God’s divine plan for us
God’s call to each individual to serve in His vineyard is unique. This is my testimony of how God called me to serve in the Philippines, where I am currently based.
After I graduated from a bible seminary, I applied to join SIM. I was praying for God’s specific revelation to where He wanted me to serve. My heart was set on Africa because I was moved by the pictures, stories and videos presented at a mission training course. Little did I know that God had other plans.
I was having repeated dreams of the Philippines but my stubborn self was resisting the images and refusing to accept that they could be from God. Nevertheless, I did a Google search of the Philippines and learnt that 90% of its population were Christians. I concluded I would not be of much help there. I was determined to go to a place where the gospel had not made any inroads. So, I closed my mind to the Philippines.
But God made sure the Philippines was firmly fixed in my mind. He led two people to draw my attention to the country. The first was my former professor whom I had not met for a long time. Strangely, he asked if I had just returned from a trip to the Philippines when I had actually travelled elsewhere. The second was a friend who asked if I had been living in the Philippines. The number of times the Philippines was brought up caught me off balance.
I was still in a state of uncertainty some weeks later on my way to the SIMNEI (SIM North East India) office to fill in an application form. I was wondering which country I should state as my country of preference. Just then, a bus passed by and it had the word “Philippines” sprayed in bold letters on its side panel. I thought to myself this just could not be a coincidence. I was literally seeing “Philippines” everywhere in dreams, pictures, and conversations. So, I prayed about it and finally decided to state the Philippines as my country of preference for service in the SIM application form. Still doubtful, I silently prayed once more asking God for a final sign that I had made the right decision. As I stepped into the SIM office, the first thing I saw was an SIM Philippines magnet sticker on a metal cabinet. It was the only magnet attached to it. There were no magnets of other countries. I smiled to myself saying, “Okay, Jesus I will take that as a confirmation”.
So, yes, when I arrived in the Philippines in Feb 2018, I knew for sure that I was where I should be. God placed me in a community of people whom I have connected and bonded with. I love what I do, teaching children, discipling teens and women at our apartment. It gives me great joy to love and be loved by the people I am serving.
I never imagined I would one day be leading a big Indian fellowship here in the Philippines in Luzon. But God surprised me with this leadership opportunity. He is also moulding, shaping and changing me. I had always thought my calling was about God using me in the ministry but with God, nothing is a one-way street. I am thankful God has shown me my flaws and shortcomings and the need to grow in many aspects of my life. Along with that realisation, He has given me opportunities and platforms to learn and unlearn, grow, improve, and change. He has also expanded my perspectives of Jesus, His life and mission. In fact, I felt that my learning far outweighed my contribution.
I am confident that this is just the beginning and that He has great plans for me. Plans to prosper and give me hope and a great future with Him. Not because I deserve it but because His love is measureless. God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than mine.