How does a spirit-led mission trip look like?

Leading from the previous trip, I felt that the focus was on what can be done (impact) rather than letting the spirit lead. Both approaches are not wrong, but I wanted to experience what I’ve heard from other missionaries, like how the Spirit led them to speak with non-believers, people coming to Christ, etc. I wanted the team to be in tuned with the holy spirit a little more, although I did not know what that would mean.

At the end of the first day, I shared with the team how I needed to find the balance between being led by the HS, and the acts of our own hands. Thankfully, the very next day, God casted my doubts when I saw children attending our Sunday school, singing English worship songs like “10,000 reasons”. They were also joyfully dancing several other worship songs, some of which they barely understand. I saw that their hearts were simple and pure, obedient, innocent, joyful. God expanded my heart to love these children even more. In Mark 10:14, Jesus said “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” God reminded me that to enter into His kingdom, I would have to be like these children. Obedient, simple, innocent, joyful. This is truly a spirit-led mission trip. It does not have to translate into a quantifiable impact. My presence in the kampong lit up the atmosphere, and then in turn, the children became joyful and started praising God, while I am encouraged to love them even more after.

As we descended from the hill, some children ran after our car. Perhaps it was their way of having fun, or they really liked us. At that moment, I knew it was good that I came back for the third time, and I truly want to return many more times. Thank you Jesus, for giving me a heart for missions, and a heart to worship you through serving the children.

This can't be love

One of my favourite jazz standard is "This Can't Be Love", originally sung by Natalie Cole.

But my first contact with this song is hearing Diana Krall singing in a really chill yet upbeat way.

This can't be love, because I feel so well
No sobs, no sorrows, no sighs.

This cant be love, I get no dizzy spells
My head is not in the skies.

My heart does not stand still, just hear it beat.
This is too sweet to be love.

This can't be love, because I feel so well,
But still I love to look in your eyes.

I just thought it's really interesting how the lyricist classifies love using negative behaviours. Instead of singing "this is love because I feel so ______", it examines his/her own physical reactions to someone and then concludes that if there are no such physical sensations, then it is not Love.

But does it really hold true? I'm still trying to find out.