Last month, I volunteered with Extreme Makeover Home Edition in Joplin, and helped with their project to build seven houses in seven days. Since coming back home from this experience, I have been asked multiple questions such as: what did you do? (move, sort and assemble furniture.), what house did you work on? (house #1, the Howard's) and will you be on TV? (there is probably a 10% chance that I could be spotted during the unloading furniture production shot.); but the question that has most important answer is what did I learn? While I believe that many lessons can be learned from my experience, one of the best lessons comes from some advice that I gave to co-worker of mine that was volunteering a couple of days after I went : what you bring, you carry.
During the seven hours I spent on the work site I noticed that many of the volunteers were carrying large purses or bags and others' pockets were bulging. They were carrying around cameras, cellphones, granola bars, water; and the weight of these things really slowed them down. There was no provided place to put their stuff, and even if they were able to put it down, there was the worry of forgetting it or someone walking off with it. I understood the need of cellphones, medical aids and car keys, but I was baffled by the volunteers that brought along water and food, those who didn't believe that their basic needs would be provided for. Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been in production for over eight years, and within those years they have worked on perfecting the way they create the show, this includes how they treat their volunteers. They knew that we would need to stay hydrated and would probably get hungry as well; and they maintained a constant supply of cold beverages on the work site, and a food tent for the volunteers just down the hill. Another thing that surprise me was how many cameras I saw people bring with them. Every single volunteer allowed onto the work site had signed a form promising not to publish any photographs of any of the houses. They were also warned that with exemption of the press, those whose who became a hindrance by asking for pictures, would be asked to leave. To put it simple, we volunteered to work, not to get behind-the-scenes tours; and the cameras serve not only as added weight, but an extra temptation.
While Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Joplin 7 in 7, may be a once in a lifetime experience, the lessons learned from it can be applied to other missions. Just as the show knew and accommodated for their volunteers' needs, God understands every need His workers have, and can provide for them in ways that are beyond their wildest dreams. And even though bringing your worries, fears, and expectations on your missions won't prohibit you from going, it will slow you down. If you are constantly looking for what you want to get out of your mission experience, you can miss multiple opportunities you didn't know to look for.
So, I warn you that whatever you bring with you, you must carry. Whatever you refuse to leave behind is your burden. God has offered to be the carrier of your needs (Ps.55:22), but in the end, the choice is yours.
During the seven hours I spent on the work site I noticed that many of the volunteers were carrying large purses or bags and others' pockets were bulging. They were carrying around cameras, cellphones, granola bars, water; and the weight of these things really slowed them down. There was no provided place to put their stuff, and even if they were able to put it down, there was the worry of forgetting it or someone walking off with it. I understood the need of cellphones, medical aids and car keys, but I was baffled by the volunteers that brought along water and food, those who didn't believe that their basic needs would be provided for. Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been in production for over eight years, and within those years they have worked on perfecting the way they create the show, this includes how they treat their volunteers. They knew that we would need to stay hydrated and would probably get hungry as well; and they maintained a constant supply of cold beverages on the work site, and a food tent for the volunteers just down the hill. Another thing that surprise me was how many cameras I saw people bring with them. Every single volunteer allowed onto the work site had signed a form promising not to publish any photographs of any of the houses. They were also warned that with exemption of the press, those whose who became a hindrance by asking for pictures, would be asked to leave. To put it simple, we volunteered to work, not to get behind-the-scenes tours; and the cameras serve not only as added weight, but an extra temptation.
While Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Joplin 7 in 7, may be a once in a lifetime experience, the lessons learned from it can be applied to other missions. Just as the show knew and accommodated for their volunteers' needs, God understands every need His workers have, and can provide for them in ways that are beyond their wildest dreams. And even though bringing your worries, fears, and expectations on your missions won't prohibit you from going, it will slow you down. If you are constantly looking for what you want to get out of your mission experience, you can miss multiple opportunities you didn't know to look for.
So, I warn you that whatever you bring with you, you must carry. Whatever you refuse to leave behind is your burden. God has offered to be the carrier of your needs (Ps.55:22), but in the end, the choice is yours.
