High school's over, now what will you do?In 2008, my time at high school was coming to a close. Like most people, I was unsure of what lay ahead. The idea of a gap year abroad was always appealing to me, but how 2009 would pan out was unclear. The more I thought about what I should do, the more I realised this year would be a great opportunity to serve my Lord and Saviour outside of my usual comfort zone. In many ways, it didn't matter where I went. As long as God used me for his glory, I would be content. In the end, I spent 6 months working in Canada and the following 5 months doing more specific Christian mission work in India.
I felt very much unequipped. I knew little about India or mission work. All I did know was that I wanted to proclaim God's word. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". So it does not matter if we feel weak or unequipped as God uses our weaknesses for his glory.
Having very little idea about how I could fulfill "Christian mission" practically, I went for an interview with Church Missionary Society (CMS). After numerous mission possibilities were put before me by CMS, by God's guidance, I chose Hebron School in Ootacamund, South India. The school accommodates for both Indian and missionary children.
When I arrived in India, everything seemed a little different. However after only a short time I began to realise that we were all the same – all human and all in great need of God's saving grace. As a result, it is an immensely encouraging experience to hear the one and only gospel preached half way across the world.
My time in India has been blessed. God has enriched my life in immeasurable ways. The opportunities to proclaim the gospel at Hebron School or in any mission field are next to limitless. I have been surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses with similar challenges and delights to myself. After only a short while, Hebron school began to feel like home and now I lament that day I have to leave.
One thing I have come to realize is this; I am nothing special in the eyes of this world. I am just an Australian who believes that Jesus died for me so that I may have an eternal relationship with him. I am just an ordinary guy put in an extraordinary situation where I have had the absolute thrill of serving God in an environment such as South India. Wherever we go, there we are. Wherever we are, there our Lord will be!
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