Drew Boswell

a place for us to share ideas, talk about life, and learn together.

Insights From A Foreign Mission Trip

The following are some thoughts that I noted down as I was on a mission trip to Guatemala. They are not in order of significance, only as they came to mind.
  1. Prayer and spiritual preparation should be done before you depart. God does not want to do a great work of holiness in your life; He is sending you to preach to the nations.
  2. Weigh your bags before you go – there is nothing worse (ok, that’s an exaggeration) than getting to the airport and having to pay extra, or move stuff in between suitcases in front of everyone. But it is a huge distraction.
  3. Have a team meeting before you go – people are comforted by information – even if you have to change the plan, gentle changes are more preferable than drastic snatches in direction. Let people know what you know.
  4. Take a jacket – there is nothing worse (ok, that’s another exaggeration) than being cold on the six hour trip to the airport, then cold at the airport, then on the plane, etc. when you know you have a jacket in your suitcase and it is just out of reach.
  5. To have friends, you have to be a friend. To be apart of a team that is fun and that has personality, you have to show some desire to know team member’s names, share your own stories (preferably funny), and have a desirable personality.
  6. Wherever you are, be there and be there with all your heart. Don’t look backward or forward to anything, be in the moment for the whole trip. God brought you here for that moment. If you are “any where else” you are going to miss it.
  7. Be a servant and the flexible. In the field things change constantly. Part of submitting is “going with the flow” even when things change or go off the itinerary.  When God moves, don’t try to control it, just follow.
  8. Fellowship is special on the mission field – friendships are formed quickly and last forever.
  9. You will get tired and it is ok to rest. In fact, you should build time into your schedule for it.
  10. The way to open the heart for the gospel is to serve – This was the example that Christ showed us. Jesus was concerned for them as a people, and as persons not numbers of “converts” to brag about at a “report session.” If you love them first, they will listen to what you have to say. Don’t do one at the expense of the other.
  11. Americans have too much stuff – it is possible to be happy with very little. It is just wrong for us to have so much and not to do something with it to bless the nations. We have shows like “Hoarders” while the nations go blind because of malnutrition. Their bellies swell from parasites, and their homes are little more than dirt and cardboard. Don’t forget what you have seen when you go back home.
  12. Don’t “preach” at those who haven’t been or didn’t see what you saw. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict and send, it’s your job to testify to what you have seen and heard.
Just some thoughts.

 

 

Father Daughter Dance 2012

Kimberly and H-G putting on lipstick

Last night was the Valdosta Father Daughter Dance hosted by First Presbyterian Church. Kimberly made the evening even more special by getting H-G’s nails and hair done, along with matching boutonniere and corsage.  Friends from church met at Austin’s steakhouse and had dinner together. From there we traveled to the local convention center where we met a 1,000 plus crowd. Girls were dressed in their favorite new dress and dads were sporting their ill fitting suits and coordinating ties. Nails were done, and hair was lifted high.  The majority of dads there didn’t know what to do, so they stood in circles and watched their daughters dance in front of them. Some nervously punched on their iPhones. Some volunteered to get them something to drink every five minutes, and some found a space along the wall to sit.

There was one slow song for dad’s to dance with their daughters, so the majority of the songs were fast, and the focus was fun not sappy sentimentality. On a trip to the bathroom we had to run back because Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was playing. H-G and I danced to many songs I had never heard of, much less know the dance moves (or the words). So I just pretended I knew what was going on, and H-G is not old enough yet to know the difference. Yes, we did the chicken dance and the Hokey Pokey (I think there is a book out there somewhere that mandates that these two songs be played  at dances.) Even at seven years of age, I am already beginning to try and put the brakes on her growing up — I was not crazy about the party dress, the make-up, the lip stick, the jewelry, and the big hair.

I was crushed this year at Christmas when all the Barbie stuff went back to the store for a refund. Barbie was so “last year.” My little girl is now past Barbie (sigh). But as much as dad’s resist and don’t want their little girls to grow up, they will. It’s like trying to hold back the tide. So, when opportunities arise, and God throws you a softball, you have to hit it out of the park.

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Here’s Five Reasons to Have a Father Daughter Special Night; 

1. Daughters need to hear their fathers say, “You are beautiful.” This dance provided an opportunity for H-G to dress up for me as her date, way before (and I mean way before) she dresses up for some young man. For years I get to tell her how wonderful and beautiful she is before anyone else does. She gets to hear the words of someone who truly loves her and speaks the truth to her, instead of the words from a school aged crush. When H-G had her hair done she didn’t smile when it was being done, and she didn’t smile the whole way home. When Kimberly asked her what was wrong, she said, “will daddy laugh at me?” Daughters need to hear that they are beautiful, and we get to tell them. When she got home from the hair stylist I said, “wow you are beautiful!” and the smile returned.

2. Daughters want to spend time with their dads (alone). Kimberly and I have four kids, and H-G had specifically asked me to spend some time together, “just us” she said. I got to talk to and spend some undivided time with H-G. But I recognize that this can not happen just one night a year — it has to be planned out and the time guarded closely. I will only get so many of these dances, vacations, walks, bike rides, etc. so I must treasure each one.

3. Daughters need to see their dads enjoying being with them. We had a lot of fun dancing and learning “moves” together. It is ok for dad to relax, dance, and have fun — and it means so much more to a child when they can tell you are having fun with them. We were both nervous at the dance because neither of us knew what to expect. And we both were able to relax as we had some fun, danced with each other, and laughed. One time during our dancing she was spinning and her heavily sprayed hair got caught on the buttons on the sleeve of my jacket. We both laughed as we worked to untangle it.

4. Dad’s need to hear their daughter’s say, “I love you dad.” Nothing warms a man’s heart more than when his beautiful little princess holds his hand and tells him that she loves him. This is what makes burly extreme fighter mountain men play tea party and talk in funny voices with stuffed animals.

5. Dad’s need to have “a win” from time to time. Men by nature want to accomplish something, climb a mountain, run a marathon, or make a big sale. Last night was “a win” for many dads.  There are so many times when we let our kids down, forget stuff, or have to punish them for undesirable behavior. So it’s great to know that for one evening you did a great job at just being dad. We naturally doubt ourselves, how we are doing in our relationships with our kids, and especially our daughters — so last night was a great way to feel great as a dad knowing that we did the right thing and that our daughters know that we love them.

We ended our evening with a stop by the local ice cream store and we were home by 9pm. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and thankful for an opportunity to share a special evening with her.

pinning on dad's boutonniere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


When Our Plans Are Changed By Providence

This was the last day of our mission trip to Guatemala. We were able to see hundreds at various medical clinics, worship with locals, scout out a potential church building, and we even had the favor of the local mayor in one of the cities who told us “you can do whatever you want in this city.”

With all of our excitement and experiencing God do a wonderful work through us and being able to see indescribable things there is still the desire to come home. Our team having seen suffering children and extreme poverty want to hold their loved ones in their arms and to be “home.”

Change of plans are a common occurrence on the mission field, but when you cross the line into domestic USA we want consistency, rhythm returned, and life to go back to normal. Knowing that you are forever changed by what you have experienced you still clamor for a return to normalcy.

Then comes the hiccup in the plans. As our team is pulling out of the airport, literally twenty-five fee, the bus breaks down. After hours of trying to fix it, we were shoved toward the indignant “plan B.” oh, how I hate “plan B.” It means something in my plan failed. We were delayed for hours, even more money must be spent on van rentals to get the team back, and an exhausted team now must endure even more travel.

What could possibly by good about “plan B” and why would God make us go through it? Didn’t we prayerfully plan, and systematically budget? Didn’t we work hard on the mission field?

When you find yourself in “plan B” try to remember and consider the following;
1. God can do whatever He wishes, He is God and we are the humans. The sovereign omnipotent One owes us no explanation for how He runs His creation.

2. God is love. His very essence is one of love and compassion. So, when you feel the pinch of inconvenience know that God is loving doing something. Trust Him and His Love. Have faith that this is for His glory.

3. It may not be about you. Our minds tend to drift toward thoughts like, “we were protected from some accident” or “He is helping us to have more patience,” etc. But it may just be that God is moving us along a different “route” in order to use us as an instrument in His hand. Don’t constantly look for reasons, instead lean into Christ and trust Him. Smile.

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Why Worship In a Third World Country?

Tonight I had the privilege of worshipping in a church in Guatemala. It was the conclusion of a long day of travel and a medical clinic. When we arrived, the room was already filled with people and they had saved us seats in the front. From the moment I entered the worship room I knew this was going to be a unique evening. If you have never worshipped in a third world country, here are some things to consider:

1. They are not concerned about the temperature of the room or the general comfort of the congregation. It’s as though their hearts are totally focused on Christ and their desire to meet with Him. It really did not matter that the chairs were plastic patio chairs, or that communion was served in shot glasses, that the soda crackers were whole saltines, or that the drapery of the pulpit was a Christmas tree skirt.

We need to worship in a third world country because often times we tend to think that its all about us and our comfort.

2. They are not concerned with the quality of the sound equipment or those that lead the times of worship. While I did not understand most of the words said during the service, I could easily read their body language – which was one of singing to the Lord His praises.

I saw a young girl with her hands lifted and singing with her eyes closed. She was not at the least concerned with what anyone else thought. I also saw a grown man who looked as though he did construction work of some kind, weeping as he sang and prayed. They sang loudly, and they sang with heart. This expression of love and adoration to the Lord was also reflective in how their children worshipped around them. There was very little fidgeting by children – they clapped and sang along with their parents.

We need to worship in third world country so that we can observe unreserved worship.

3. They are not concerned with décor or elaborate displays. Its as though they understand that they are the church, not the place where the church meets together for worship. The bride is beautiful, no matter the condition of the brick and mortar. There were some baskets with flowers for decorations and a white lace background hung behind the praise team and pastor, but it was not plush by any means.

We need to worship in third world country because we tend to think of church as a place instead of persons.

4. They treated us as friends and family. Our mission team was warmly welcomed and genuinely loved. Even though we did not speak the same language, or have the same color skin, we were family and our faith in Christ linked our lives together as one. It is so refreshing to experience a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Every tribe and tongue will kneel before Jesus and worship Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

We need to worship in third world country so that we can see the world worshipping their creative Creator.

5. People waited as eternal matters were hashed out in front of the congregation. A girl had come to the front of the sanctuary and expressed a desire to be saved, so the church patiently waited while a pastor talked and prayed with her. It was as though they understood that a person’s eternal soul was in the balance – a person was about to be saved from hell and would spend eternity with them in heaven – depending on how the conversation went. So they patiently waited. At least ten minutes was spent talking and praying with this young lady.

We need to worship in third world country because often times we tend to think that its all about “polish” in our services.

6. There was a time when the service was suppose to start – but when it didn’t no one said anything. When it was time to close the service, and we went another hour, no one left, turned out the lights, or did anything other than keep worshipping until it was over.

We need to worship in third world country to remind us that worship is about God getting glory, not us getting to Denny’s before the church across town. Is it really too much to ask for us to stay together and worship slightly longer than normal on any occasions because God is worthy of our praise and His Spirit is moving?

Say what you will about third world countries, but to join them in worship was fun, honoring to the Lord, and oh by the way two people were saved amongst the loud off key singing, translated preaching, hot room. The Holy Spirit moved, and at the end of the day that is all that matters. Come Holy Spirit, come. Ande lay.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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