But if the watchman sees the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword comes, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. Ezekiel 33:6 Challenging in maniging This week we focused on cultural differences. In this eye-opening class, we were presented with accounts, scriptures, and personal testimonial evidence of how culture can affect long-term ministries overseas. Feeling the weight of the great commission, I began to realize how true the meaning of Matthew 16:24, “deny himself and follow me.” is. Over 7,400 people groups have not heard the good news of the gospel. I can not fathom living in a culture without the gospel. The amount of freedom we have living in the states is such a blessing to behold. Our teacher Rob Douglass continued pointing out the comparisons of saving souls to comforts we take for granted in our day-to-day lives. He proposed the question What is truly more important, Others salvations or Starbucks? This class has truly changed my outlook on what missions are as a whole lifestyle, not just a choice to go out for a couple of years. ...

Week three, we have had over 11 people confess faith in Christ. The Lord has blessed our team immensely. While we were evangelizing, the group had an opportunity to talk to a young couple who had an intriguing view of where they were going when they died. They claimed to believe a self-truth where everyone could proclaim their truth. I had the opportunity to discuss their belief, and it was an excellent lesson to teach how to have an open conversation. ...

One week down of class, outreaches, and leaving room for Jesus. The Lord has moved in even the last few days. During one of our outreaches, we came alongside Calvary Chapel Vista Del Valle to help in an event for the residence. While we were there, we had an excellent array of kid programs, Games, adult teaching, worship, and evangelizing. In the scorching sun, swiftly, the Lord moved through our team. Once we got to the park, we hit the ground running, playing games and expressing the little knowledge we had of Spanish. ...

We haven’t been at school a week, and the Lord is already challenging our team to see the world differently. Our first teacher, Pastor Trent, has taken us on a journey through the Bible, finding ministry foundations. He challenged us through the Scriptures to humble ourselves before all the nations as Jesus did. Setting the example, “to serve, not to be served,” is found in Matthew 20:28. Another main point that stood out was the progression of Jesus going out and calling disciples. Pastor Trent masterfully put a strong case pointing that many of the disciples knew Jesus before “dropping their nets and following Him” Matthew 4:18. Being at the School of Missions changed our outlook on the great commission. ...

Over the past few years, I have gotten to travel to 4 different countries for missions. To find many different cultures while experiencing God in a new way. The Lord has given many opportunities to preach the gospel and serve others. Let me pause and say thank you to all who have supported me and prayed for our team. The Lord has shown me there is so much to learn to be a missionary. ...