More is less, or less is more?
Gayle Quah on her first mission trip to Kandy, Sri Lanka in Apr 2009 as an English Camp facilitator.
Even before I was born again, I had dreams of serving the poor and broken as a missionary. But I knew I was never ready to give up the creature comforts that I’d gotten so used to. It was only when I started walking with the Lord in a more intimate way and knowing the matters that weighed on His heart that I knew I had to step out and be His hands and feet.
Before embarking on my first mission trip, I’d spoken to a few people at church about wishing to be exposed to the mission field. Through their own experience and wisdom, they dispensed practical tips and advice, of which I treasured much. Despite these, nothing beats first-hand experience.
When I’d found out in March 2009 that there were available slots in the team going to the Jerusalem Prayer Centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka, I was elated. The team was to travel in April and the purpose was to hold an English camp for the Sunday school kids at the Jerusalem Prayer Centre.
My expectations were given a hard knock at the Colombo airport. I remember arriving at the Colombo airport and getting a timely reminder from the Lord, “you’re here to do My work”. I knew then that I had to leave Singapore behind and focus on the reason why I was in Sri Lanka.
For a first mission trip, Kandy, Sri Lanka was certainly a great place to begin. During the 3-hour ride on the van to the Jerusalem Prayer Centre, I remember vividly how our driver that morning, had asked if we wanted “the A/C on”, and to which I had reacted almost immediately, “yes, of course!” It had only dawned on me then that air-conditioning wasn’t a regular occurrence in the lives of these people.
Through this and other incidents, it taught me the valued lesson on how easily we take the little things for granted in Singapore. It was the start of a very humbling experience that will forever leave a dent in my heart and mind.
The first morning of the camp, I remember a flurry of toothy grins and shy glances as I made my way to the dining room for breakfast. Some of the children and their parents had come early and were seated in the outdoor veranda area, eager to begin. I was deeply moved by their warmth, hospitality, love and humility as they greeted us and shook our hands with much fervour. Needless to say, I took to the children quickly. They were eager to learn, respectful and took well to instruction.
During the camp, we were asked to lay hands and pray over each child. As we started praying in tongues, I asked the Lord as to how I should pray for each one. He said to me, “Each of these is precious to me.” I was so overwhelmed by the touch of God, His presence was so thick in the room, I couldn’t control the tears.
For a nine-day trip and a first mission experience, I was rewarded with so much more. Through the community at the Jerusalem Prayer Centre, the Lord opened my eyes to some of His heart. Back home, it’s so easy to get distracted, to lose sight of the divine, and fall into our hectic, mundane and sometimes chaotic lives. How often do we fall on our knees to seek His presence? Yet, His presence fell in a small church in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
It’s true what they say about Jesus being among the poor and broken. How easily He reveals Himself to these who live so simply; to some of these who take two hours by bus to get to church for Sunday service; to some of these who don’t even have enough to pay for medical bills; to some of these who struggle to put food on the table owing to their joblessness; to these who may seem like they don’t have much (materially) but in actuality possess such treasures. What else can they do but cry out to the Lord each day to propel them out of their situations? He wants so much to bless them.
