8th
India - Peter Chang (8/3/10)
Hello readers. I apologize for my lack of communication over the last few days (I’ll get to why in a moment). But I am okay and God’s working in the rest of the candidates and myself mightily. Trying to go through every little thing would be too much so I’ll hit some highlights and talk about what God is doing. Summary It’s been a busy few days. There’s about 40 of us here for the orientation program, and I am the youngest. But thankfully there’s a good number, probably around 10ish, of people right out of college to mid-20s. So that’s been nice. I’m also rooming w/ the other young asian male in the group, haha. His name is Brian, and he’s a cool guy. He’s headed to Japan in a few months for a year teaching English. I’m guessing they put us together for a reason… The schedule here for the last few days starts off early, breakfast at 7am, and the mornings have been filled w/ worship and some time in the word together, candidate testimonies, learning about Pioneer’s core values, and what’s going on across the world. Then the afternoons and evenings are mostly left for interviews w/ either a committee (to see whether or not they want to make you an “appointee” w/ Pioneers, which is the status of someone who’s w/ Pi but not yet overseas long term), a counselor/psychologist, finance, and church partnership. So it’s a lot. I’ve had all my interviews (in retrospect, it probably would have been a good idea to post those as prayer requests…my bad, but prayer is all inclusive so that’s cool) and they were all great. They definitely dug into me deep at the committee interview, but that’s needed of course, and since my plans are not as final as other units (a unit can be a single person or a couple), as in i’m not committed to full time mission work just yet, they were more gracious. Some of you also know of the bazillion psych tests they had me take, so seeing the results of those were really interesting and talking things out w/ the psychologist/counselor was extremely beneficial. I’m an ENTJ or ENFJ (my T and F were split 50/50) for all of those who are wondering. The labels those have are “natural leader” and “smooth talker”, i just wanted to share that because the latter sounds super shady. Awesome. Testimonies My favorite times have probably been listening to candidate testimonies. Our God is crazy big and so extremely creative in how He saves. There were some serious stories and lives that have been lived. Like, serious crazy. The wonderful thing about testimonies, is that it is not only encouraging, but it sharpens the soul as well. Whatever pride my flesh desired from taking this step in faith has been totally squashed. It’s not like I’m comparing stories or people, but when you hear what’s gone on, and what they are being called to, God truly is made bigger and me smaller. And I love it. My flesh may desire glory and fake itself into thinking it has much, but my God is too big and too great in that even an ounce of what He’s done trumps the worthless rags of righteousness I may have the audacity to present. Here are some examples of the people here, and this is in no way trying to idolize the people here and what they’re doing, but the opposite, to glorify God and His faithfulness and provision in what He’s called them to. and that’s just some. You get what I’m saying now about how easily your pride becomes nothing and God is just magnified? It’s not to say we aren’t doing anything stateside. In fact, all of us have been saved by God’s mercy and serve because of that! (Romans 11-12). So what else is left to say from these stories than “Praise God!” He works in big ways. Another thing to keep in mind, is that all these people being sent out, are going specifically to unreached people groups (UPG’s in the cool Pi lingo here). Pioneer’s 2nd core value, right after “Passion for God”, is “unreached peoples”. All the missionaries that are sent from Pi go to UPG’s that have never heard the gospel before. They have to establish their own means of becoming part of the community, and living out the gospel daily. Often times this means making a business to find a way into a closed nation that won’t allow missionaries. These people are seriously “pioneers” in everything they do, and to witness it and hear about all the different teams is just incredible. As of now Pi has almost 2,000 missionaries out on the field. What the crazy. Again, God is just so big sometimes I have no words. FINANCIAL STUFF! I was able to check my balance and work through the finances today. My goal is just a shade over my intended goal of $4,500! Yay for estimation skills, haha. I’m sitting at about $2,220. This is before the donation from the Stone arrives, but assuming that gets in there I’m going to be at $3,220. This isn’t too far off from what was pledged, but in looking at the balances I realized that a good chunk of that came from people that didn’t respond on the google doc, and that of the people who did respond on the doc, some of it hasn’t come in. So….*stares intently at everyone who hasn’t given*. Kidding, but it would be nice if you could fulfill what you pledged :). If you can’t or God’s changed your mind on it, that’s fine! Please just let me know so I can figure it out easier. By the end of the week I’ll be able to access my account from online, so I’ll be able to do updates easier. If you have questions about giving please contact me and we’ll work it out. pchang.india@gmail.com Dave/Mussoorie Dave is my team lead in India. Everyone knows him and his wife. Everyone loves him and his wife. It’s extremely encouraging to hear. I knew they were great people of God, but the more I hear about them the more encouraged I am, haha. I knew they had 4 kids, I did not know they adopted all 4 of them, one of them even being left on their doorstep. There’s more, but that one thing kinda sorta gives you an idea of how happy I am that I’m going to live with people like that. Praise the Lord. I also got wind of some news that there are a few new believers in Mussoorie!! SUPER AWESOME! This is fruit from probably 2-3 years ago, so to be coming at a time where more may be seen is so exciting! I was fully expecting to just continue planting seeds and tilling soil, but even the chance to see fruit is so great. God is working! Personal Things As for myself, out of all these things there is one thing that I want to share specifically about. Loneliness. Meeting people here and hanging out w/ everyone has been great. But even amongst the fellowship there is still a part of me that misses everyone deeply. When you go from a solid community and family at home, to something else, even if it’s good, it’s difficult to cope sometimes. I have felt lonely often here, and even with encouragement I knew something was off. God showed me early, like within the first hours of being in Orlando, that my loneliness was because of my lack of contentment in Christ alone. Though fellowship is a good thing, my faith became too dependent on that and used that as an excuse to cover up things I knew needed to be changed. My personal walk with God in fact became handicapped by my dependence on good fellowship. So my prayer has been, and I hope you’ll join me in this, for times of loneliness to not be discouraging, but times of joy that I get to spend alone with God. That my heart would CRAVE for Scripture and prayer and communion with my Father in Heaven in ways I have never known before. I knew going into this that I would face this often in India, and in part, this was a reason I wanted to force myself out of what I knew and was comfortable with. God decided to show me that this issue I thought I only slightly suffered from, was much bigger than what I thought, and I am so blessed that He gave me that insight. I’ve actually had plenty of time to be online or talk to people, but I’ve chosen during those times to stay away from it all and get in the Word or just pray. I can’t allow that to keep being my crutch. I hope you all understand. He cares not of my work, or even my work for Him, more than my love for Him. For it is from this love, His love, that true servitude and thus true joy is experienced. I often feel the need to be more like Mary and wait upon my Savior’s feet and pour all I have upon Him because He is here and deserves my all. That is how this whole experience already has been different. I am not surrounded by my normal community, or team. I am not with people I easily feel comfortable around. But we are a family with one purpose and love in Christ and He is our everything. In Him we stand, upon His solid Rock. Prayer Requests Thanks for all the prayers so far. I really do appreciate them! Sorry for the longevity of these posts. I’ll try my best to keep them shorter :) Until next time!Something’s different…
from Peter(In)dia
