Last semester we had so many wonderful opportunities as we got settled in our new home. We met a lot of Chinese families and students. After being off the field for so many years, we were eager to jump into new ministries and opportunities here in Baguio. So I (Brittany) must admit, I was a little discouraged when during the Christmas break and the beginning of January, I kept hearing the word WAIT. Whether it was through my Christmas devotionals, a book I was reading, or discussions at the Baptist Women in Ministry retreat I was able to attend in January, the message of slow down, wait on God, and the importance of not jumping ahead of myself kept coming up.
As an enneagram one, type-A personality, I don’t like to wait. Why slow down? I don’t want to miss an opportunity! But the more I prayed and talked with mentors, and reflected on what I am learning here in the Philippines, I realized how important it is to listen when God tells you to wait.
I am so eager to dig deep into all that God has in store for us here in the Philippines. But I cannot jump ahead of the important things I need to learn here. When we were commissioned to China in 2017, our first two years were supposed to be focussed on language and cultural acquisition. If you have studied church history or missions, or if you have experienced a new pastor coming in and making changes immediately before learning the church culture and needs, you know how much damage can be done if you jump ahead and don’t first take the time to learn.
I have always known this, and Casey and my missiology has always reflected this understanding. That we have a lot to learn. That we always want to come alongside those in the culture and community we have been placed. But I needed the reminder that, although we have been with CBF and worked as field personnel for a long time, we are in a new place and we must open ourselves up to learn and grow so that we can minister in ways that are healthy and helpful!
So I ask for your prayer for us specifically as we slow down and wait. Pray for us as we begin taking Tagaolog (Filipino language) classes this semester. Pray as we attend the local Chinese Baptist Church and seek to discover ways we can minister alongside them. Pray as we meet different Chinese communities here in Baguio. Whether that is families with young children, university students, or business people here for work. We have found that the Chinese community here is very transient, so please pray as we discern the best ways to approach ministry among the overseas Chinese in a new way. Pray for us in the waiting, that we will still see and know that God is at work here, and wait for the opportunities to build beloved community.