 |
In Colorado I met people from all over the USA who will one day minister all over Europe: France, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Czech Republic, Italy, and even north Africa. There were church-planters, evangelists, teachers, artists, and a cheerleader. Each one recognized that God has given him or her a calling to minister to some of the least-evangelized peoples in the world. |
For those of you who have be-friended me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, you may know that my flight “home” almost three weeks ago was not quite a walk-in-the-park. (For those of you who aren’t on Facebook or Twitter, think twice before jumping on the band wagon. You’ll either find yourself wasting massive amounts of time or getting irritated with your “friends’” inane status updates or tweets. Just trust me on this. I probably lean too much toward the inane side…) What was so bad about my flight? Here are a few samples: luggage that the airlines wouldn’t check all the way through [even though they promised], cancelled flights, uncooperative desk jockeys, overnight stays that I had to pay for...it felt like the flight that would never end!
But the flight did end. My temper did survive relatively intact. My mom did pick me up at the airport. And I did get to sleep in a warm, king-sized bed in an air-conditioned house with a pool in the backyard.
For a total of three nights.
Three days after I arrived in the States I flew to Chicago for a worship arts conference where I slept on my friends’ floor for four nights, after which I flew to Colorado Springs for a one-week orientation with a mission organization.
For the first two weeks after I arrived back in the States, people kept asking me how I was dealing with reverse culture shock. I kept replying, “When have I had time?!”
What am I doing here?
So for the last week I’ve taken a break from the ragged-but-fast pace I had been on for the previous month. I’ve had a chance to sit next to my mom’s pool and cultivate a nice reddish glow, and I’ve even read several novels that have no redeeming value besides being tasty brain candy.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed the downtime, I’m also keenly aware that I’m not here to relax. The lazy part of my nature that is satisfied with movies, brainless books, and long dips in the pool is desperately fighting another part that has begun to waken over the last few months. The part of me that has a vision for the arts in Europe. The part that recognizes God has given me a calling.
So in a strange way I’m back in the United States to go back to Europe. I’ve been gone from my own country for over five years, and I want to fully be here while here. But I'm not called to the U.S! In a more profound way than ever before, I'm beginning to feel the burden of this calling that God has given me, and I have a unique opportunity to be able to focus much of my time on inviting people to partner with me in this ministry in Europe.
So…WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! (i.e. What’s next?)
Last week I went to orientation with Greater Europe Mission (GEM), the organization with whom I originally went to Ireland at the beginning of 2004. GEM has changed a bit over the last few years, which is why they wanted me to go through the orientation process again.
I was pronounced hale and whole by the organization, as well as encouraged in my vision of reaching the artists in Europe and the world through the Art Factory. Halfway through the week, 17 of us were officially appointed as GEM missionaries to countries all over Europe.
So I’ve been sent off. I’m officially a missionary once again. And I don’t have any excuses.
Excuses?
Most of us like to line up our ducks in a row before we do anything, which means many of us also never get started doing what we know God wants us to do. I don’t think we’re always meant to wait for the wee goslings to queue up, but I do think I can hear mine quacking contentedly somewhere, lined up perfectly, waiting for me.
For instance, I have a car I don’t have to pay for since my mom has generously let me borrow hers for as long as I need. And Dick and Susan Nelson—a couple I only met last week—are letting me stay in their basement apartment for free. I even have savings that I didn't expect, along with that growing sense of calling that I've never before felt.
It feels to me like God wants to get me back to Europe as soon as possible!
Next Steps
My goal over the next few weeks is to set up a support-raising schedule and strategy, redesign my website, and look for a flexible, part-time job. I’d also like to find a church in Memphis as soon as possible. So please pray for me as I look for a job. Pray that I find a supportive community quickly. Pray that God sends partners and that I’m not afraid to look.
I'm a little nervous, because I feel a huge sense of responsibility to what God is giving me. I want to relax and play, not be disciplined. But I'm also excited. Pray that I blow on those sparks, that they be turned into flames. Pray that people come into my life who want to see a bonfire grow in and from my calling!
Your partner in ministry,
Jason McFarland
“...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
