By Laura Lee Leathers
After becoming a Christ follower and studying the Scriptures, I desired to visit the Holy Land — to walk where Jesus walked. A dream that I never thought would be possible.
In God’s timing, on Christmas Eve 2007, my parents gave me a letter with instructions on how to spend the enclosed check. My dad wrote, “Whereas Laura Lee has had a powerful hankering for years to visit the Holy Land … ”
I learned about a mission partnership that Morrison Heights Baptist Church had with missionaries in Israel. I attended the meeting and brought my daughter and a friend, who made the trip with me.
Traveling to Israel was my first overseas mission trip. The following are recommendations as you serve with mission endeavors in Mississippi and abroad.
Plan a church commissioning service
I spoke with my pastor about doing a commissioning service before our trip. He asked me to come up with an outline, which I did:
- He Calls through Preparing Our Hearts (testimonies from individuals)
- We Offer Our Praise and Worship (two hymns)
- Proclaiming the Word (the pastor’s sermon was on how God shapes our lives for ministry)
- Prayer and Commissioning (using the word “Israel”):
Instruction and insight as we minister (Psalm 32:8)
Security and safety as we travel (Psalm 122:6-7)
Remember the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Ambassadors and missionaries (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Endurance and strength (Philippians 3:7-11)
Lasting relationships (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)
Larger churches might have a missions or outreach pastor and will plan a time of recognition and prayer for the mission team. Also, be sure to attend all planning meetings. It’s a time of worship, preparation, and fellowship with team members.
Keep a journal
For this trip, I asked family and friends to write a note to me anywhere in the book. At the end of the day, when I wrote about my experiences, it was a joy to turn the page and find words of encouragement or prayers from home.
My journal documents places, people, Scriptures, personal insights, and a pita bread recipe. One of the missionaries wrote the name of Jesus in Arabic. At the end of the book, my mother wrote, “ … may God always lead you in the right direction.”
Beyond my expectations
In Israel, my group spent time at a Muslim school for women and did a prayer walk. We attended churches, met pastors, and participated in street evangelism. In every town we visited, we encouraged the local church or assisted with a ministry project.
On other mission trips, I’ve shared the gospel through an interpreter on top of a mountain in the Dominican Republic, engaged in block parties, worked in disaster relief, entertained children in a makeshift childcare center, distributed supplies, prayed with others, and more. God certainly moved this farm gal out of her comfort zone. I’ve learned to drop my expectations, be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and rely upon the Lord.
I’ve traveled alone, with tour groups, with family, and with friends. I’ve learned that God’s timing is always perfect and He provides everything needed. I’ve had the privilege of working with and under the leadership of regional missionaries and have learned about their daily work and how they build relationships.
Retirement is an excellent time to travel to places on your bucket list. Many organizations need volunteers. Regardless of where you go, remember that we are always on a mission with God. Happy travels!
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you,
and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, and encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.